Power Bank Smoke Forces Swiss Transatlantic Flight to Divert to Dublin

Passengers are being reminded to check their airline's rules on portable electronic devices before flying, after a Swiss flight bound for Boston was forced to land in Dublin when smoke began coming from a power bank in the cabin.

The episode was the second such incident within two weeks for Lufthansa Group carriers. In both cases, the source was a portable battery device - a category that Lufthansa Group has not allowed to be used or charged on board its airlines since the beginning of the year.

Swiss, a Lufthansa Group subsidiary, said the Boston-bound aircraft landed in Dublin after smoke developed from a power bank. The crew sent an emergency signal to obtain landing priority, though the airline stressed that this did not amount to an emergency landing. The 206 passengers were taken to hotels while Swiss arranged onward travel.

That earlier incident involved a Swiss flight from Zurich to New York that made an unscheduled landing in Bangor, Maine, in July after smoke appeared in the cabin. The cause was a charging case for headphones that had fallen between the seats, where it became trapped and was damaged.

Lufthansa Group rules introduced in early 2026 bar passengers from using or charging power banks on board its airlines' flights. Passengers may carry a maximum of two power banks in hand luggage. Those devices must be kept on the passenger's person, in a seat pocket, or in a bag stored under the seat. Storing them in overhead compartments or in checked baggage is not permitted.

Power banks with a capacity between 100 watt-hours and 160 watt-hours must be approved by the airline in advance. Approved medical devices are exempt. The same regulations apply to e-cigarettes.

Lufthansa says its rules align with the current recommendations of several international aviation authorities. The airline urged passengers to confirm the device policy of the carrier they are flying with before packing, since rules can vary and mistakes can create serious safety risks.

The back-to-back diversions underscore a broader concern across the industry over lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat and produce smoke in an enclosed cabin. With more travellers carrying portable chargers and wireless headphone cases, airlines are tightening restrictions on where such items may be stored and used during flight.