Avoiding Fires at 30,000 Feet: What Cabin Crew Need Passengers to Know

By David Wroth, Director, Thermal Incident Runaway Program

Earlier this year, passengers aboard a flight bound for Miami left the gate at San Francisco International Airport when smoke started to fill the cabin. Cell phone video captured the chaos as passengers evacuated the plane, and fortunately the incident was resolved with only minor injuries. 

The source of the fire was a laptop battery that had gone into thermal runaway, a state of overheating that can lead to fire or even explosion. On average, there are two incidents per week. While the vast majority of incidents do not lead to an evacuation like in San Francisco, the numbers are on the rise. It’s a threat that airline cabin crew are very familiar with — passengers much less so.

UL Standards & Engagement’s latest report looking at the safety concerns of lithium-ion battery-powered devices on planes examines the gap between what cabin crew know and what passengers should — but in many cases do not — know.  

What Powers the Devices They Travel With 

Nearly all cabin crew (97%) are very or somewhat aware of the potential for battery thermal runaway compared to only 58% of passengers who stated they are aware of risks associated with thermal runaway. Further, other ULSE data shows that most consumers (60%) do not know the power source for many of their rechargeable devices, usually a lithium-ion battery, making it even more difficult to know if they are taking a risk. The lack of passenger awareness may be contributing to the nearly nine-in-ten (87%) cabin crewmembers who expressed they were very or somewhat concerned about an incident occurring on an aircraft.

Where to Pack and Store Rechargeable Devices (Hint: Not Checked Luggage)

Only 27% of cabin crew members surveyed feel very confident about passenger safety from a potential incident. With nearly one-quarter (24%) of passengers storing one or more rechargeable products in their checked luggage, there is a risk of thermal runaway incidents going unnoticed and escalating where cabin crew cannot access the item. The best option is for passengers to bring them in their carry-on and keep them within reach. 

Why Taking Simple Steps Matters

While cabin crew are generally satisfied (85%) with their airline’s specific rules, only 46% of cabin crew agreed that airlines are effectively communicating these battery risks with passengers. Their concern is justified, given the 52% of passengers missing warning signs about lithium-ion battery-powered devices. Simple precautions can help avoid a battery fire on board — but only if passengers are told about them. 

In addition to increasing passenger education on best practices for bringing rechargeable devices on board, cabin crew surveyed recommended continued investment in training and procedures and enhanced collaboration and information sharing across the industry. On the latter, ULSE leads the Thermal Runaway Incident Program, a group of 35 participating passenger and cargo airlines that voluntarily share incident data and convene to discuss options to reduce the risk at biannual summits.  

Further, safety standards, like those developed by ULSE can support safer mitigation of incidents on board. UL 5800, Battery Fire Containment Products, covers bags or other types of devices into which overheating devices are placed to help prevent the spread of smoke and flames. Further, UL 5810, Active Fire Protection for Air Cargo Containers, is currently in development to help address fires in the cargo hold. One of the more common devices involved in thermal runaway incidents are power banks. At the request of the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, ULSE recently published UL 2056, establishing requirements for these devices. 

Taking these steps will contribute to safer skies and greater confidence for cabin crew and travelers alike.