FAA Probing Cellphone Fire Aboard British Airways Jet To Las Vegas
A cellphone caught fire aboard British Airways Flight 271 from London to Las Vegas on Monday, June 15, 2026, forcing an emergency arrival at Harry Reid International Airport, though the jet landed safely.[1]
The pilot said the blaze 'scorched the inside of the cabin' but was under control when the plane landed.[1] The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the incident and said it will investigate.[1] Officials have not yet identified the make or model of the phone.[1]
The FAA has tracked lithium battery incidents involving smoke, fire or extreme heat on passenger and cargo aircraft since 2006. Verified cases rose to 89 in calendar year 2024, with cell phones involved in 16 of those incidents, and climbed to 93 in calendar year 2025. The FAA has repeatedly warned passengers to carry spare lithium batteries only in cabin baggage and to protect battery terminals.
Local reports and social posts said Clark County firefighters boarded to inspect the jet after landing. Authorities are expected to share more details after the FAA's investigation.
The mainstream summary does not mention the broader context of increasing incidents involving lithium-ion batteries on aircraft. Data from the FAA indicates that verified lithium battery incidents rose from 54 in 2021 to 93 in 2025, highlighting a significant upward trend that has been largely overlooked. This rise is attributed to a combination of more passengers carrying devices powered by lithium-ion batteries and a return to pre-pandemic travel volumes, which has led to greater exposure to potential hazards. The summary also fails to specify that in 2024 alone, cell phones were involved in 16 of the 89 verified incidents, underscoring that this is not an isolated case but part of a larger pattern of concern regarding battery safety on flights. The lack of detail on the specific make or model of the phone involved further obscures the potential implications for device safety regulations and passenger awareness regarding battery handling.[2][3]
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📊 Relevant Data
FAA data show cell phones were involved in 16 of the 89 verified lithium battery incidents aboard aircraft in 2024, compared to 27 involving battery packs, 15 vape devices, and 13 laptops.
FAA: Lithium Battery Incidents — The Compliance Center
FAA data show 93 verified lithium battery incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat aboard aircraft in 2025, up from 89 in 2024 and part of a longer-term rise from 54 incidents in 2021.
FAA: 93 Lithium Battery Air Incidents in 2025 — Lion Technology
📌 Key Facts
- On Monday, June 15, 2026, British Airways Flight 271 from London to Las Vegas reported a cellphone fire onboard.
- The aircraft landed safely at Harry Reid International Airport, and the pilot said the fire 'scorched the inside of the cabin' but was under control.
- The FAA confirmed the incident and said it will investigate; officials have not yet identified the make or model of the phone.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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