Air China Power Bank Fire Highlights Rising Airline Crackdowns on Lithium Batteries

A battery fire onboard an Air China flight has renewed attention on the growing risk posed by lithium power banks and the strict safety rules airlines are enforcing to prevent in-flight fires. The incident occurred on Oct. 18, about 30 minutes after takeoff, when a lithium battery inside a passenger’s carry-on bag suddenly ignited in the overhead compartment of an Airbus A321 operating as Air China Flight CA139 from Hangzhou to Seoul.

Bright flames and thick black smoke filled the cabin as passengers watched, but the crew acted quickly, extinguishing the fire and diverting the aircraft to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for an emergency landing. No injuries were reported, but the event underscores just how sudden and unpredictable lithium battery failures can be—and why airlines worldwide continue tightening rules on portable power banks.

While passengers may instinctively try to extinguish such fires with water or juice, doing so can worsen the situation. Lithium-ion fires require a Class D fire extinguisher; when that is not available, a Class ABC extinguisher can help slow the flames. In the absence of proper equipment, sand, baking soda, or a fire blanket can contain the fire long enough to prevent it from spreading. Because fires in an aircraft cargo hold are nearly impossible to control, check-in agents consistently ask about lithium batteries in checked luggage — and for good reason.

Airlines worldwide are now tightening restrictions on portable power banks. Emirates, Southwest, Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Cathay Pacific, AirAsia, Korean Air and EVA Air are among the carriers prohibiting in-flight power bank charging, and some forbid their use entirely. Qantas has also implemented an onboard charging ban. Southwest’s updated rules now require portable chargers to remain outside of bags and in plain sight whenever they are being used, explicitly warning passengers never to charge devices inside overhead bins.

The risks are not theoretical. A few years ago, the author experienced a near-fire on a Hawaiian Airlines flight when a laptop battery began to swell and the device became unstable — a reminder that damaged or swollen batteries should never be brought onboard.

The message for travelers is clear: lithium battery fires remain rare but dangerous, and safe air travel relies on passenger awareness and strict compliance with airline rules. By packing carefully, monitoring the condition of devices, and following the latest bans and restrictions on power banks, passengers can significantly reduce the risk of dangerous in-flight incidents.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com