Why Commercial Aircraft Can Withstand Lightning Strikes

Commercial aircraft are struck by lightning relatively frequently—approximately once or twice annually per aircraft—but are engineered to handle such events. Modern airliners feature protective systems such as conductive copper mesh embedded in composite fuselages. This shielding allows lightning to travel along the exterior, acting like a Faraday cage that protects passengers and internal systems.

Engineers have also incorporated energy-absorbing components—such as transorbs—to protect sensitive avionics from sudden electrical surges caused by lightning strikes. These devices act as surge suppressors, absorbing and redirecting excess energy before it can damage critical systems. In addition, modern aircraft use enhanced circuit designs that can automatically reset if a temporary glitch occurs, ensuring that essential systems like navigation, communication, and flight controls continue to function without interruption. This layered approach significantly reduces the risk of equipment failure, reinforcing the overall safety and reliability of commercial aircraft when exposed to severe weather conditions.

Recent Lightning-Related Aviation Incidents

A Ryanair Boeing 737‑8 Max, registration EI‑IJT operating Flight FR‑2848 from Shannon, Ireland, to Málaga, Spain, was struck by lightning while climbing through flight level 240 (approximately 24,000 feet) just south of Cork on August 16, 2025. The crew halted the climb at FL270 and executed an immediate return to Shannon Airport, where the aircraft landed safely on runway 06 about 50 minutes after departure.

With 273 passengers and 8 crew members onboard—a total of 281 individuals—the flight was evacuated without injury. The aircraft remained grounded for about an hour while undergoing mandatory technical inspection. After confirming no critical damage, the same plane continued to Málaga, arriving approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes behind schedule.

During the Memorial Day weekend of 2025, a Southwest Airlines 737 was struck while approaching Denver. Communication briefly faltered, but the aircraft landed safely, and no injuries occurred..

Delta Air Lines A330 bound for Rome from Boston returned to Logan Airport following a lightning strike over the Atlantic. The aircraft landed safely, with no injuries and FAA confirming commercial planes are built to endure such events.

What Typically Happens During Lightning Strikes In-Flight

When an aircraft is struck by lightning in flight, the electrical current usually enters through one extremity, such as the nose or wingtip, and exits through another point like the tail. Modern airframes are designed to conduct the energy along the exterior without penetrating the cabin or damaging vital systems. While passengers may see a flash or hear a loud bang, aircraft are built to withstand these events, and serious damage or risk to safety is extremely rare.

Visual and Sensory Impact: Passengers may observe a bright flash, hear a loud bang, or smell ozone, but physical damage to the aircraft is rare.

Possible Minor Damage: Strikes generally cause superficial harm, such as damage to sensors or small burn marks. Severe structural or mechanical damage is exceptionally unusual.

Mandatory Inspections: Any suspected lightning strike triggers a compulsory post-flight inspection to check for damage to fuel systems, electronics, and structural integrity. These procedures may cause flight delays and increase maintenance considerations.

Lightning strikes, while visually dramatic and often unsettling for passengers, pose little danger to modern aircraft thanks to advanced engineering and rigorous maintenance standards. Recent incidents involving Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Ryanair’s flight FR-2848 near Cork all ended safely, underscoring the effectiveness of robust aircraft design and decisive pilot action.

In the case of Ryanair, the aircraft’s prompt return and subsequent continuation of the journey highlighted both the industry’s resilience and the strict post-strike safety protocols in place to protect passengers. As a precautionary measure, Ryanair conducted a thorough inspection before allowing the flight to resume, ensuring that safety was prioritized without unnecessary delays.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, safetyfirst.airbus.com, nypost.com