A passenger’s laptop caught fire aboard an American Airlines flight from Atlanta to Dallas-Fort Worth.
Flight attendants contained the burning device in a thermal containment bag before the plane landed safely.
One passenger was treated and released, although the pilot initially reported that as many as five people might have suffered burns.
A laptop computer caught fire inside the cabin of an American Airlines jet shortly before it landed at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, prompting flight attendants to battle the blaze as smoke spread through the aircraft. It’s the latest example of the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries in a confined space.
American Airlines Flight 2398 was traveling from Atlanta to Dallas on Friday, Aug. 21, with 133 people aboard. The fire reportedly began about 30 minutes before the end of the flight.
“Cabin fire in the back of the airplane,” the pilot told air traffic controllers, according to audio obtained by CBS News. “The flight attendants are trying to put it out now.”
The crew placed the laptop in a thermal containment bag designed to isolate an overheating or burning electronic device. The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane landed safely at about 6:55 p.m. local time. The agency is investigating the incident.
Minor injuries
One passenger was treated at the airport and released, according to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. However, the pilot told air traffic controllers that four or five passengers might have been burned.
A passenger seated near the fire told CBS News that one or two people appeared to burn their hands while trying to help. The differing accounts suggest the pilot’s initial estimate may have been made before the extent of the injuries was known.
American Airlines said the fire involved a customer’s electronic device and occurred during landing.
“We thank our crew for their professionalism and swift response to quickly contain the device,” the airline said.
Why laptop batteries can catch fire
The exact cause of the laptop fire has not been determined. However, most laptops use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat and enter a dangerous process called “thermal runaway.”
During thermal runaway, a battery’s temperature rises rapidly, potentially producing smoke, flammable gases and fire. The process can be triggered by physical damage, overheating, overcharging, exposure to water, improper packing or a manufacturing defect. It can sometimes begin without an obvious warning.
Lithium-battery problems aboard aircraft are not rare. FAA data showed at least 56 aviation incidents involving battery-related smoke, fire or extreme heat during 2026 before the American Airlines episode. The agency cautions that its list may not include every incident reported to airlines.
What travelers should know
The FAA recommends that passengers keep laptops and other lithium-battery devices in their carry-on baggage, where flight crews can respond quickly if a problem develops. A laptop may be placed in checked luggage under federal rules, but it must be completely turned off and protected against damage and accidental activation.
Spare lithium batteries and power banks are prohibited in checked baggage and must remain in the cabin. Most consumer batteries rated at no more than 100 watt-hours are permitted, while batteries rated between 101 and 160 watt-hours generally require airline approval. Larger batteries are prohibited on passenger aircraft.
Travelers should not bring a damaged, swollen or recalled battery aboard a plane. Warning signs can include unusual heat, an expanding case, a chemical smell, hissing noises or smoke.
If a laptop or other device begins overheating during a flight, passengers should alert a flight attendant immediately and avoid handling the device unless instructed. FAA guidance emphasizes that flight crews are specifically trained to respond to lithium-battery fires.