alt Hacker NewsAre battery fires on planes a common problem? I haven't heard of many, at least with any significant consequences.
And what would you suggest be done to reduce the risk? Asking passengers to travel without phones or laptops isn't realistic.
Replies
ekianjo • today at 11:21 AM
> common problem
https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2025/08/26...
It's statistics at the end of the day. If you have 300 people carrying several batteries in the body of the airplane, and any of them has enough energy to cause an immediate fire, you are playing with odds.
> What we should do
Completely banning portable batteries (chargers) would be a start. You cut the risk by a lot already because they are rampant.
there was a viral video of one recently. i think thats what sparked the measures. the declaration is probably so if they find one in your luggage they can ban you from flying