Airlines

BA Flight Diverted as Mobile Phone Overheats, Causing Seat Fire

A business class passenger’s phone caught fire after becoming squashed in their reclining seat, forcing a British Airways flight from Japan headed for London to make an emergency landing in Alaska.

Three hours after takeoff from Tokyo, the Boeing 787 carrying more than 200 passengers was headed to Toronto, Canada, when the incident occurred. The crew had warned passengers not to try to pick up any dropped phones in the recliner seats before takeoff, but they had disregarded their advice.

The pilot decided to divert the trip to Alaska when crew members noticed smoke coming from the smouldering phone in the Club World cabin. In the language of aviation, a Pan Pan call, which stands for “Possible Assistance Needed,” indicates an emergency that is not life-threatening.

A portable gadget that became lodged down the side of a passenger seat caused smoke to enter the airplane, according to a report from the Canadian Transportation Safety Board. Following the event, officials in charge of aviation safety demanded that seat designs be changed or that procedures be strengthened in order to lower the possibility of phone fires.

A British Airways spokesperson verified the occurrence and stated that neither the crew members nor the passengers were in any danger as a result of the fiery incident.

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Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.