A Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 was forced to divert mid-flight after a passenger’s lithium-ion battery ignited in the cabin, prompting emergency protocols and immediate crew response. The incident occurred on Monday during Delta Flight DL2397, which was en route from Salt Lake City (SLC) to Atlanta (ATL).
According to airline officials, the fire originated from a personal electronic device in a passenger’s carry-on bag. Crew members quickly identified the source and deployed a fire containment bag — a standard piece of equipment for such events — to suppress the flames and prevent further damage or smoke spread.
The flight crew declared an emergency and diverted to Denver International Airport (DEN), where the aircraft landed safely. Emergency responders met the aircraft on arrival, and no injuries were reported among the 172 passengers and crew onboard.
“Thanks to the quick actions of our flight attendants and flight crew, the situation was handled professionally and safely,” Delta said in a statement. “We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience and are working to get them to their final destinations as quickly as possible.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a routine investigation into the incident. Lithium-ion battery fires have become a growing concern in commercial aviation, with several airlines issuing warnings and revising safety protocols in recent years.
While such fires remain rare, the event underscores the risks posed by overheating batteries in confined spaces. The FAA reminds passengers to avoid placing electronic devices with lithium batteries in checked luggage and to immediately report any signs of smoke or overheating during flight.
Replacement aircraft were dispatched by Delta to complete the disrupted journey, and passengers were provided accommodations and rebooking options.
Aviation safety experts emphasize that while in-flight battery fires are potentially hazardous, trained crew and onboard safety equipment significantly reduce the risk to passengers
