Air China flight from Hangzhou to Seoul forced to make emergency landing in Shanghai after lithium battery ignites in cabin

An Air China flight traveling from Hangzhou to Seoul was forced to perform an emergency landing in Shanghai on Saturday, October 18, following a lithium battery ignited in the plane’s cabin.

In a social media statement, Air China verified the situation.

“On October 18, on flight CA139 from Hangzhou to Incheon, a lithium battery in a passenger’s carry-on luggage stored in the overhead compartment spontaneously ignited,” the airline stated.

The crew responded immediately, and no passengers or crew members were injured. “To ensure flight safety,” the flight had to “make an unscheduled landing” at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

The airline cited that the flight had departed at 9:47 a.m. and was originally set to arrive at Incheon International Airport at 12:20 p.m.

In-Cabin Chaos

A clip spreading online, reportedly captured by a passenger, shows travelers and crew trying to extinguish flames in an overhead bin. Passengers in the video were heard screaming “hurry up” in Korean.

News outlet Shanghai Observer stated that a passenger explained hearing a loud explosion rapidly before flames erupted from the overhead compartment .

Previous Incidents

This event is the most recent in a series of lithium battery-related instances in Asia. In May 2025, a China Southern Airlines flight from Hangzhou to Shenzhen returned to the airport 15 minutes following the takeoff when smoke was discovered from a passenger’s camera battery and power bank.

Earlier this year, in January, South Korean officials suggested that a spare power bank may have resulted in the fire aboard an Air Busan plane transporting 169 passengers and seven crew members. Seven individuals sustained minor injuries in that incident.

Safety Regulations

China has recently reinforced strict guidelines on lithium batteries and power banks in aviation. Since June 28, 2025, power banks lacking Chinese safety certification markings are prohibited on domestic flights.Also, recalled power banks and the use of these gadgets to charge devices in flights are banned.

Months earlier, Hong Kong Civil Aviation officials also enforced mandatory rules. As of April 7, power banks may no longer be stored in overhead bins and must instead be positioned beneath seats or in seat pockets.

Airline Response

Air China highlighted that the incident was handled as per the standard safety procedures and that the aircraft remained undamaged. A replaced airplane was dispatched to continue the journey to Seoul, ensuring passengers could finish their trip safely.

FAQs:

1. What happened on Air China Flight CA139?
A lithium battery in a passenger’s carry-on luggage ignited during mid-flight.

2. Were there any injuries?
No passengers or crew members were harmed in the event. Emergency protocols were followed immediately to guarantee safety.