Wednesday, August 21, 2024 JetBlue flight attendants swiftly managed a smoke emergency caused by a malfunctioning cell phone on a Los Angeles to Boston flight, earning passengers’ praise. A JetBlue flight traveling from Los Angeles to Boston encountered a concerning incident when smoke began to fill the cabin, caused by a malfunctioning cell phone. Such an event could easily lead to panic among passengers, but the cabin crew responded swiftly and effectively to manage the situation.
On August 20, during the final descent of a JetBlue flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), smoke was observed emerging from the first-class cabin, according to CBS News. The incident occurred aboard an Airbus A321 , which was operating as flight B6 988 , a red-eye service scheduled to depart from LAX at 22:25 and arrive in Boston at 07:01. Laura Benson, one of the passengers on board, recounted the experience to CBS News.
She described seeing thick smoke emanating from the seating area in the first-class cabin, accompanied by a strong odor of burning plastic. Shortly after, the smoke spread throughout the cabin, creating a tense atmosphere. The cabin crew ultimately decided to place the malfunctioning phone in the lavatory and close the door, a move that helped to contain the situation.
After a few tense moments, the smoke subsided, and the passengers, relieved by the crew’s quick and decisive actions, began to applaud in appreciation of their efforts. JetBlue later confirmed that the flight landed safely without any injuries. The airline also stated that it would collaborate with the appropriate authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly.
This isn’t an isolated incident. There have been several previous cases where a malfunctioning cell phone has led to disruptions during flights. Just earlier this month, a Southwest Airlines flight from Chicago to Miami had to make an unscheduled landing in Palm Beach after smoke began emitting from a cell phone onboard.
In 2021, an Alaska Airlines flight from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) experienced a cell phone fire after landing, which resulted in an emergency evacuation using the aircraft’s slides. The primary cause of cell phone fires is the lithium batteries they contain. When a cell phone becomes trapped between airplane seats, attempting to retrieve it can damage the battery, potentially sparking a fire.
This very scenario occurred in 2020 on a British Airways flight from London Gatwick to Tampa, Florida. A passenger’s cell phone became lodged in a business class seat’s folding mechanism, puncturing the battery and causing smoke to emerge from the seat. This incident forced the flight to make an emergency diversion to Bermuda.
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