Quantcast

Southwest Airlines diverts flight after passenger's charger overheats mid-air

American Airlines Launches Ultra‑Long‑Haul DFW–Manila Flights
Thousands of flights canceled or delayed across America's busiest airports
Emirates operates with SAF at London Heathrow Airport
British Airways Introduces Brunch Service on Long-Haul Flights
AirAsia FREE SEATS is BACK! - Book Cheap Flight now!
FAA Investigating After JetBlue Plane Skids Off Runway
Virgin Atlantic Offers Family-Friendly Holiday Packages
The Billion-Dollar Outlier That's Rescuing San Francisco Tourism
New Heathrow Security Rule Makes Packing Bags Easier for Travelers
Alaska Airlines Adding More Boeing 787 to Boost Seattle Hub
Ryanair cancels 170 flights, disrupts over 30,000 passengers on French ATC strike
What to Know About Travel to Europe During This Record-Breaking Heatwave
Airport Workers Save the Day After Woman Loses Diamond from Her Engagement Ring in Baggage Carousel
I never talk to strangers on the plane. After my dad died, a passenger helped me talk about my grief.
American Airlines reveals new summer route: Miami → Rome
Budget UK airline launches huge sale with £29 flights to 475 holiday hotspots – but you’ll have to be quick
Delta Passengers Can Book a ‘Last Mile’ Private Jet Charter to Europe This Summer
Honeywell Runway Safety Technology Selected by Southwest Airlines for Fleetwide Installation
Southwest Airlines Adds Cockpit Alerts to Boost Runway Safety
FAA Drone Detection Testing
This Airline Is Going to Start Handing Out $675 Fines to 'Unruly' Passengers: 'It Is Unacceptable'
Summer of savings? New analysis shows airfare has dropped significantly - The Points Guy
FAA Admits Uncertainty On Drone Numbers In U.S. Airspace, Raising Safety Concerns
Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
Passenger tries opening plane door mid-flight, gets zip-tied by veterans
Passenger Stows Away on Delta Flight from New York to Paris
Air India Eyes 10 New Codeshare , Plans Global Expansion
Southwest Airlines diverts flight after passenger's charger overheats mid-air
Policy
Webp southwestairlines
Southwest Airlines | Official Website

The crew of a Southwest Airlines flight decided to divert to Myrtle Beach after a passenger's battery charger overheated and began emitting smoke, as reported by The Aviation Herald. The Boeing 737-700, with registration N7713A and operating as flight WN-1844, was en route from Baltimore to Tampa, Florida.

The incident occurred when the aircraft was cruising at FL400, approximately 80 nautical miles southeast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. After about 20 minutes, the plane landed safely on runway 36 in Myrtle Beach. Following a delay of four and a half hours, a replacement Boeing 737 MAX 8 completed the journey to Tampa. Sixteen hours later, the original aircraft resumed operation.

Southwest Airlines has adjusted its policy requiring passengers to keep power banks and portable charging devices visible while onboard. This change aims to facilitate quicker assistance in case of device malfunctions. Of the nine lithium battery-related incidents documented by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) this year, only one involved a battery pack. However, such packs have been responsible for most events over the past two decades.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Passengers are now prohibited from using portable chargers stored in bags or overhead bins. An aerospace safety consultant discussed these changes with NPR: “It could be a laptop, it could be a cellphone. It could be a power pack that we all typically use when we're traveling. So anything literally powered by a lithium-ion battery could be problematic.”

In another related incident at Busan-Gimhae International Airport in South Korea, an Air Busan Airbus A321-200 bound for Hong Kong experienced a fire believed to have originated from lithium-ion batteries in baggage. Four individuals were injured during evacuation but left safely otherwise.

A similar situation occurred on May 1st when another Southwest 737-700 returned to El Paso International Airport due to a phone battery catching fire during taxiing. The crew promptly extinguished the fire and safely evacuated passengers before federal and local officials began their investigation.

These incidents underscore concerns about electrical fires on aircraft and highlight Southwest’s recent policy changes aimed at mitigating risks associated with personal chargers.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Allegiant Air has announced the addition of seven new nonstop routes and the commencement of service at Fort Myers (RSW), expanding its all-nonstop network.

Jul 30, 2025

Flying Food Group has announced open positions and is inviting candidates to apply online or by email, according to a post on X. According to Food Logistics, Flying Food Group is a leading provider of airline catering and food solutions,...

Jul 30, 2025

Japan Airlines has announced a limited-time sale on overseas flight and hotel packages, featuring discounts for Hawaii and group savings.

Jul 30, 2025

Alaska Airlines has announced the return of its annual fall sale, offering hundreds of one-way flights starting at $49 or 4,000 miles for a limited time.

Jul 30, 2025

Japan Airlines has announced special offers to promote travel to Shikoku, including a group discount and a limited-time sightseeing train package, according to a post on X. Shikoku is renowned for its diverse landscapes, historic temples, and...

Jul 30, 2025

Air India has announced an update on compensation and support for families affected by the AI171 accident.

Jul 30, 2025