Federal Aviation Administration issues safety advisory on lithium batteries for aircraft travel
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has raised concerns about the increasing risks posed by lithium batteries on flights, following a surge in the number of electronic devices in use. On September 9, 2025, the FAA issued a Safety Alert for Operations (SAFO) to highlight the potential dangers of lithium batteries placed in aircraft passenger compartments.
The FAA's three-page document emphasizes the risk of smoke or fire from lithium batteries, particularly in carry-on bags, due to their potential to enter thermal runaway - a self-sustaining overheating process. The alert advises airlines and operators to stay updated on firefighting protocols and review their emergency messaging systems.
Lithium batteries can be found in various everyday electronic devices such as electric toothbrushes, portable chargers, tablets, laptops, and more. The FAA's safety alert states that lithium batteries can pose risks such as smoke or even fire. To illustrate the potential danger, the FAA has demonstrated how a battery pack overheating in a seat-back pocket can ignite a fire.
In response to the growing risks, China has banned uncertified power banks on domestic flights, resulting in the confiscation of thousands of travellers' devices. Expedia has updated its safety guidelines for power banks, allowing only one power bank per person (maximum of 100 watt-hours) and requiring them to be unused during the flight starting October 1, 2025. Southwest Airlines is the only U.S. carrier that requires passengers to keep portable chargers and power banks visible during use.
Rich Henderson, a flight attendant at a major U.S. airline, stated that the increasing danger posed by lithium batteries on flights warrants stricter regulations. He suggests that new regulations in aviation are likely to be implemented. The FAA's safety alert is intended to keep passengers and crewmembers safe by providing risk mitigation strategies and highlighting the potential risks of lithium batteries.
Instead of relying on Halon extinguishers, which only briefly suppress open flames but do not halt the thermal runaway process, the FAA recommends using large amounts of water to cool the battery and suppress flames as a critical step for crew members in an emergency.
The FAA's safety alert was posted on X (no specific date or platform provided in the text). The identity of the author of the 'Two Guys on a Plane' blogs, which have been discussing the issue of lithium batteries on flights, remains undisclosed in the available search results. The FAA's document is focused on addressing the risks associated with lithium batteries on aircraft and provides airline operators with strategies to keep passengers and crewmembers safe.
