Laptop Fire on American Airlines Flight Highlights Battery Risks

A routine flight from Atlanta to Dallas became an emergency situation Friday evening when a passenger's laptop caught fire inside the cabin of an American Airlines plane. American Airlines flight 2398 was approaching Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport when the crew reported a fire in the cabin. Flight attendants were able to contain the burning laptop using a thermal containment bag, allowing the Airbus A321 to continue its landing. The aircraft arrived safely at DFW at approximately 6:55 p.m. local time.

The fact action from the crew prevented a crash or an emergency evacuation, but several passengers reportedly suffered possible burn injuries. It also serves as the latest reminder of why airlines and federal regulators pay close attention to lithium-ion batteries carried aboard passenger aircraft.

Part of the Cabin Filled With Smoke

According to passengers and air traffic controllers, the American Airlines laptop fire happened approximately 30 minutes before the plane was scheduled to land. A passenger's laptop reportedly began smoking before catching fire. Jessica Irgens, who was aboard the flight, told CBS News that she was sitting only a couple of rows away when the incident occurred. She described seeing heavy smoke and moving toward the rear of the plane.

The pilot quickly notified air traffic control of the fire and informed them that flight attendants were working to extinguish it. There were 133 people on board, and some reports indicate that at least one of them suffered minor injuries from the Flight 2398 laptop fire. Even those who weren’t burned faced the danger of smoke inhalation.

Flight Attendants Contained the Laptop

Planes are equipped with thermal containment bags for situations just like this, and flight attendants were able to get the laptop into one of those bags. According to the FAA, the crew successfully contained the fire before it had time to spread, and the plane was able to land without delay.

American Airlines praised the crew for its fast action. "American Airlines flight 2398 landed safely at DFW after reports of smoke from a customer's device during landing," the airline said in a statement, adding that it was grateful for the crew's professionalism and swift response.

By the time the plane reached the gate, emergency crews were on hand, which is standard practice when a pilot reports an on-board emergency. The plane was able to taxi to the gate under its own power.

Several Passengers May Have Been Burned

According to representatives from American Airlines, one passenger received medical attention at the scene and was released. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport similarly confirmed that emergency crews treated one person who was subsequently released. However, the pilot’s communication with air traffic control indicated that more than one person may have been injured during the fire.

According to the audio obtained by multiple news outlets, the pilot reported that approximately four to five passengers had been burned by the laptop. Passenger accounts also described people attempting to help with the device and suffering burns to their hands.

Why Can a Laptop Battery Catch Fire?

Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in laptops, cellphones, tablets, and other electronic devices. They’re popular because they can store substantial amounts of power in a small package. However, the same thing that makes them popular can make them incredibly dangerous in certain situations.

In specific circumstances, a lithium battery can enter a process known as thermal runaway. The battery begins generating heat faster than that heat can dissipate, potentially creating a rapidly escalating cycle that can result in smoke, fire, or extreme heat. This does not mean that lithium-ion batteries are inherently unsafe, but the FAA warns that battery damage, overheating, exposure to water, and overcharging can all make thermal runaway more likely.

The FAA Is Investigating

This isn’t the first battery fire in the history of the aviation industry, but the FAA is still investigating the incident. According to representatives from the FAA, questions about the Flight 2398 laptop fire remain unanswered. Investigators need to determine what exactly caused the laptop battery to fail and whether there were any extenuating circumstances.

In February 2026, an Alaska Airlines flight returned to Seattle after a passenger's power bank overheated and caught fire. The incident was another example of why aviation regulators have focused heavily on portable batteries and electronic devices.

Perhaps the most important part of the lithium battery fire on the plane was the flight crew’s response. While some minor injuries were reported, the situation was controlled quickly.

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