The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is warning that lithium-ion batteries in laptop computers may pose a serious fire risk on aircraft. The agency is urging an international review and is recommending that large electronic devices such as laptops be barred from checked baggage on international flights unless specifically approved in advance.
This guidance follows a temporary ban earlier this year on laptops in carry-on luggage for flights originating from 10 Middle Eastern airports; that measure was later lifted. The FAA cites experimental results showing that malfunctioning laptop batteries, when near aerosol cans or other flammable items, can trigger fires that are extremely difficult to control in the confined environment of an aircraft cargo hold.
Historical incidents also informed the FAA’s position: since 2006, fires linked to lithium battery failures have destroyed three cargo aircraft and resulted in the deaths of four pilots. Those events underscore the potential severity of battery-related fires and the challenges of suppressing them once they start in inaccessible spaces.
Based on its findings, the FAA recommended that airlines prohibit large electronic devices in checked baggage unless passengers obtain prior approval. The agency’s conclusions were aligned with several other organizations that reviewed the issue, including the European safety authority, aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the International Federation of Airline Pilots’ Associations, and the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations.
The FAA did not recommend a blanket ban on laptops for domestic flights. It noted that, for most domestic travelers, laptops and other valuable electronics are typically carried in the cabin rather than placed in checked luggage, where damaged batteries present a different and often greater hazard.
Airlines and regulators are now weighing how best to reduce the risk of lithium battery fires while minimizing disruption for passengers. Measures under consideration include stricter rules for packing batteries, clearer guidance for passengers about placing devices in carry-on baggage, and international coordination on testing standards and handling procedures for damaged or recalled batteries. The goal is to strike a balance between passenger convenience and aviation safety by reducing the likelihood that a defective battery placed out of reach in the cargo hold could spark an uncontrollable fire.