What happens if a lithium battery catches fire on a plane?

The Airbus report says this leads to the risk of an explosion, stating: “Reacting to a lithium battery fire in the cabin starts with isolating the source of fire. Indeed, a smoking battery may explode at any time due to the highly exothermic thermal runaway.”



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It is safe to put it in your checked luggage. When possible, the FAA advises that you cover the positive and negative ends of such batteries with tape. This is just an extra precaution to prevent accidental short-circuiting.

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If you need assistance with screening, you may ask for a Passenger Support Specialist or a Supervisory TSA Officer. Devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage. Most other consumer electronic devices containing batteries are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage.

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Checked Bags: No Spare (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, including power banks and cell phone battery charging cases, must be carried in carry-on baggage only.

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Just remember with lithium ion, you can carry four batteries under 100 watts on the airplane with you. You can't check them if they're loose. You can check them if they're in other devices. You can also take two up to 160 watt or sometimes one 300 watt battery with special permission.

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For example, flyers often wonder if a 20000mah power bank is allowed on flight. As 20000mah makes for less than 100 watt-hours, it can be carried in cabin luggage.

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Lithium batteries, which power everyday devices, can catch fire if damaged or if battery terminals are short-circuited. Devices containing lithium metal batteries or lithium ion batteries, including – but not limited to – smartphones, tablets, cameras and laptops, should be kept in carry-on baggage.

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Except for spare (uninstalled) lithium batteries, all the batteries allowed in carry-on baggage are also allowed in checked baggage; however, we recommend that you pack them in your carry-on bag whenever possible.

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