Overview

• The Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO 25002) urges airlines to update safety risk assessments, cabin firefighting procedures, crew training, and passenger communications.
• FAA data show roughly 50 verified onboard smoke, fire, or overheating events involving lithium batteries through August 2025.
• The alert warns that devices in overhead bins or carry-on bags may be obscured or hard to access, which can slow detection and response during flight.
• Halon extinguishers can suppress visible flames temporarily but do not stop thermal runaway, and the FAA stresses using large amounts of water to cool the battery.
• Recent incidents include an overheating phone on an American Airlines Dallas–Madrid flight and cases that led to diversions, while Southwest requires power banks in use to remain in plain sight.