ATLANTA- A Delta Air Lines (DL) flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Fort Myers (RSW) after a battery pack caught fire midair on July 7, 2025. The aircraft had originally departed from Atlanta (ATL) en route to Fort Lauderdale (FLL).
Delta Flight 1334 was diverted as a precautionary measure after cabin crew swiftly extinguished a fire caused by a passenger’s portable battery. The incident led to residual smoke and an emergency declaration, CBS reported.
Photo: Clément AlloingDelta Emergency Landing at Fort Myers
According to Delta Air Lines (DL), Flight 1334 from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) encountered an onboard fire after a personal battery device ignited.
The incident occurred while the aircraft was cruising toward its Florida destination.
Flight attendants acted promptly and used onboard extinguishers to put out the flames. Though the fire was quickly contained, the presence of residual smoke in the cabin triggered emergency procedures.
The aircraft was rerouted to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, approximately 2 hours from Fort Lauderdale by road.
Delta confirmed that the aircraft landed safely at 8:48 a.m. local time with 185 passengers and six crew members. No injuries were reported.
The flight was operated by a Boeing 757-200, registered as N659DL. The 35.1-year-old aircraft is one of the oldest aircraft in the Delta fleet.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the event. This incident marks one of the 34 lithium battery-related cases recorded in 2025, 11 of which were directly attributed to battery packs.
FAA data reveals a 388% rise in lithium battery fires on U.S. flights between 2015 and 2024.
The FAA continues to highlight the risks associated with rechargeable batteries in flight. The thermal runaway effect, which can lead to intense heat and fire, is a known hazard when lithium-ion devices malfunction or are damaged.
Airlines Respond with Stricter Policies
In response to the growing threat, airlines have implemented new measures to minimize fire risk. Southwest Airlines (WN) introduced an industry-first policy in May requiring all portable chargers to remain visible during flight.
Singapore Airlines (SQ) has gone further by fully banning the use and charging of power banks during flights.
Delta reiterated its commitment to passenger safety, noting that the crew’s effective response aligned with standard emergency training protocols. “We appreciate the quick actions of our team and apologize for the travel disruption,” a spokesperson stated.
Photo: Andrew E. Cohen | FlickrSimilar Incident
A Delta Air Lines (DL) transatlantic flight from Madrid (MAD) to New York (JFK) was forced to divert to Lajes Airport (LPLA) in the Azores following an in-flight engine failure on July 6, 2025.
The Airbus A330-323 operating as flight DL127 made a safe emergency landing with no reported injuries.
The incident unfolded over the North Atlantic as Delta’s crew declared an emergency, diverting the flight to Terceira Island’s military air base. The aircraft landed safely, and passengers were later rerouted to their final destination aboard a replacement jet.
Delta Air Lines flight DL127 departed Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) on July 6, 2025, bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York.
Midway across the Atlantic Ocean, passengers and crew experienced a sudden loud bang and a jolt, signaling a mechanical issue.
Pilots declared an emergency and diverted to Lajes Airport (LPLA) on Terceira Island. The airport, which operates as a Portuguese Air Force base, is designated for emergency use in transatlantic scenarios.
The Airbus A330-323, registered N805NW, safely touched down under single-engine operation—a condition permitted under ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards).
Despite a five-hour delay and emotional strain, many passengers later expressed gratitude for the professionalism of Delta’s crew and the hospitality extended by local residents.
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Delta Flight with 757 Makes Emergency Landing in Jacksonville
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