Air China Flight From Hangzhou To Seoul Makes Emergency Landing In Shanghai After Lithium Battery Fire, All Passengers Safe – Here’s What You Need To Know

Published on October 19, 2025

A caller incident aboard an Air China formation from Hangzhou to Seoul made headlines erstwhile a lithium battery caught occurrence wrong nan plane’s overhead compartment. The flight, which was primitively headed for Incheon International Airport successful South Korea, had to make an unscheduled landing successful Shanghai aft nan unit quickly responded to nan emergency. Thanks to swift action from nan formation attendants, nary injuries were reported, but nan arena highlighted nan ongoing risks associated pinch lithium batteries connected commercialized flights. This emergency is nan latest successful a bid of incidents involving these perchance hazardous powerfulness sources.

The Flight Incident

On October 18, 2025, Air China formation CA139 was en way from Hangzhou successful China to Seoul erstwhile a spontaneous ignition of a lithium artillery successful a passenger’s carry-on luggage caused a occurrence successful nan cabin. According to Air China, nan formation took disconnected from Hangzhou astatine 9:47 AM section time, pinch a scheduled presence successful Seoul astatine 12:20 PM. The occurrence originated from a battery-powered device stored successful nan overhead compartment, prompting nan formation unit to enactment swiftly.

A video taken by 1 of nan passengers aboard nan formation shows nan unit and travelers moving together to douse nan flames. The footage reveals visible flames and nan hostility successful nan cabin, pinch passengers heard shouting successful Korean. According to 1 passenger, a large sound preceded nan fire, suggesting an aggravated and abrupt escalation.

To prioritize safety, nan level was rerouted, making an emergency landing astatine Shanghai Pudong International Airport, a diversion that apt saved nan lives of everyone connected board. Upon landing, nan passengers disembarked without incident, and no injuries were reported.

The Risks of Lithium Batteries connected Planes

Lithium-ion batteries, commonly recovered successful devices specified arsenic smartphones, cameras, laptops, and powerfulness banks, person go a important information interest for airlines worldwide. These batteries tin overheat, rupture, aliases drawback occurrence if damaged aliases improperly stored. This peculiar incident is acold from an isolated one. In May 2025, different China Southern Airlines formation had to return to nan airdrome aft a camera artillery caught fire. Earlier, successful January 2025, Air Busan knowledgeable a akin incident, pinch a power bank being blamed for nan occurrence that caused insignificant injuries to immoderate passengers.

Given nan dangers associated pinch lithium batteries, respective countries person implemented stricter regulations regarding their usage connected commercialized flights. China has enacted policies banning power banks that deficiency due information certification aliases person been recalled by manufacturers. Hong Kong besides has stringent rules astir storing powerfulness banks during flights, requiring passengers to support them nether seats aliases successful spot pockets alternatively than successful overhead compartments. Airlines worldwide person go progressively cautious, taking proactive measures to guarantee nan information of passengers.

Safety Measures and Guidelines for Travelers

This incident serves arsenic a reminder of nan value of travel safety erstwhile flying. For air passengers, particularly those walking pinch electronics and power banks, location are respective information tips to follow:

1. Check Battery Certifications: Ensure immoderate powerfulness banks aliases batteries brought connected committee person nan due information certifications. Batteries without these certifications whitethorn beryllium banned successful definite countries aliases connected circumstantial airlines.
2. Proper Storage: Always shop batteries and electronics properly, keeping them successful your carry-on bags. Never stow them successful overhead compartments aliases checked luggage, arsenic these areas deficiency nan contiguous entree needed successful lawsuit of emergencies.
3. Keep Devices Charged: Fully charged devices are little apt to overheat. Avoid charging your devices during nan formation unless perfectly necessary. Many airlines, including Air China, prohibit charging electronics during nan flight.
4. Respond Quickly to Safety Announcements: In lawsuit of emergencies, ever travel nan formation attendants’ instructions. In nan arena of an onboard fire, stay calm, enactment seated, and assistance nan unit if needed.

Previous Lithium Battery Incidents and Airline Responses

This caller arena is portion of a broader inclination of information concerns surrounding lithium-ion batteries successful aerial travel. In January 2025, a fire that started from a powerfulness slope aboard an Air Busan formation engulfed a conception of nan plane, resulting successful insignificant injuries to passengers. Similarly, a China Southern Airlines formation had to return to Hangzhou erstwhile a camera battery overheated and began emitting smoke.

In consequence to these dangers, respective countries person tightened regulations, and airlines person updated their information protocols. China now mandates that each lithium-ion batteries brought connected planes must beryllium decently marked pinch information certifications, and Hong Kong has banned powerfulness banks from overhead compartments.

What Travelers Need to Know

As aerial recreation becomes much world and accessible, nan risks associated pinch lithium batteries stay a captious concern. Passengers should beryllium alert of nan regulations group by airlines and authorities, arsenic good arsenic nan champion practices for safely carrying electronics connected board. Travelers should see opting for battery-free alternatives aliases ensuring their electronic devices meet nan basal information standards.

It’s besides important for airlines to support stringent checks and balances to forestall vulnerable situations for illustration nan 1 witnessed aboard Air China’s flight. Clear communication, swift action, and adherence to safety protocols are cardinal to minimizing nan risks.