Delta Flight Forced to Make Emergency Landing for Increasingly Common Reason

A Delta flight from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale International Airport made an emergency landing on Monday after a fire on board. A Delta Airlines spokesperson said that a passenger's portable battery caught on fire, causing Flight 1334 to land in Fort Meyers, Florida.

Flight attendants extinguished the fire, but residual smoke from the flames remained in the aircraft, pushing an emergency decision and diverting the flight from its intended destination.

"We appreciate the quick work and actions by our people to follow their training, and we apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels," said a spokesperson for Delta Airlines in a statement to CBS News.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the number of lithium battery fires on U.S. flights rose by 388% from 2015 to 2024, now happening nearly twice a week. There have been 34 incidents involving lithium batteries this year alone, on average six per month.

Southwest Airlines implemented a new rule on May 28, requiring passengers to use batteries and portable chargers in plain sight. The airline stated that charging devices will not be permitted in overhead bins or bags. It's a safety measure in order to allow crew members quick and efficient responses to potential fires.

Most airlines and the Transportation Security Administration will permit power banks in carry-on bags, but not in checked luggage.

“Lithium batteries power everything from vapes and mobile phones to cameras and power banks. If they become faulty or damaged, they can cause an intense fire that is difficult to extinguish – both in the cabin or hold of an aircraft," said Glenn Bradley, head of flight operations at the UK Civil Aviation Authority.