Air China Flight CA139 Diverted After Lithium Battery Fire

On October 18, 2025, Air China flight CA139, traveling from Hangzhou to Incheon, South Korea, was forced to make an emergency landing at Shanghai Pudong International Airport after a lithium battery in a passenger's carry-on luggage spontaneously ignited. The incident occurred approximately 40 minutes into the flight, prompting the crew to implement emergency procedures to contain the fire.

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The Airbus A321 departed Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport at 9:47 AM local time, with an expected arrival at Incheon International Airport at 12:20 PM. The fire broke out in the overhead bin, leading to smoke and flames that alarmed passengers. Video footage shared on social media depicted the chaotic scene as cabin crew and passengers worked to extinguish the flames.

Flight safely diverted to Shanghai after battery fire in Air China's cabin

Air China confirmed that the crew responded swiftly to the emergency, following established safety protocols. The fire was extinguished within minutes, and no injuries were reported among the 170 passengers and crew on board. Following the incident, the aircraft safely landed in Shanghai, where passengers were transferred to a replacement flight to continue their journey.

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This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding lithium batteries on commercial flights. In June 2025, the Civil Aviation Administration of China implemented a ban on carrying portable batteries without safety certification marks on domestic flights, following multiple incidents of battery-related fires. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has also recorded numerous cases of lithium batteries causing smoke or fire on flights, prompting stricter regulations regarding their transport.

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Despite the quick response from the crew, critics argue that the existing regulations on lithium batteries may not be sufficient to prevent such incidents. Concerns have been raised about the safety of allowing passengers to carry devices with lithium batteries, especially as incidents involving battery fires have been reported globally.

New York Times

Air China stated, “The crew immediately handled the situation according to procedures, and no one was injured.” The airline emphasized that the incident was managed effectively and that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the battery malfunction.

Air China flight diverts after lithium battery fire in overhead bin

• “According to a statement by the airline, a lithium battery spontaneously ignited in a passenger's carry-on luggage stored in the overhead bin on flight CA139.” — Air China

Flight safely diverted to Shanghai after battery fire in Air China's cabin

• “To ensure flight safety”, the plane had to “make an unscheduled landing” at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.” — Air China

South China Morning Post

Following the incident, Air China is conducting an investigation to ascertain the specific cause of the battery failure. The airline, along with regulatory bodies, may consider further tightening regulations on the transport of lithium batteries in light of this event.

New York Times