Air France Boeing 777 Operated Flight Makes U-Turn to Paris Orly

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PARIS- An Air France (AF) Boeing 777-300ER operating flight AF750 made an unexpected u-turn to Paris Orly (ORY) after a passenger lost their mobile phone.

The incident highlights growing concerns over lithium-ion battery risks on aircraft, prompting strict safety measures from airlines worldwide.

Air France Flight U-turn to Paris

On March 21, Air France (AF) flight AF-750 departed from Paris Orly (ORY) en route to Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP), Guadeloupe. The Boeing 777-300ER carried 375 passengers and crew.

Shortly after takeoff, a passenger reported their phone missing. Despite extensive efforts by the cabin crew and fellow travelers, the device remained unlocated.

The pilots, prioritizing passenger safety, decided to return to Paris Orly. The aircraft, having already reached the coast of Portugal, entered a holding pattern for one final search attempt before reversing course.

It landed back at Orly approximately two hours after departure. The airline planned to retrieve the phone and resume the journey once safety checks were complete.

Lithium-Ion Battery Risks in Aviation

Lithium-ion batteries, found in everyday devices such as smartphones and power banks, pose a fire risk if damaged or overheated.

Airlines have implemented strict guidelines to prevent onboard incidents, with many prohibiting passengers from charging power banks in-flight or placing them in overhead compartments.

Mobile phones, in particular, present a unique risk when lost within aircraft seats. If a phone becomes wedged in a seat’s reclining mechanism, it can be crushed, leading to a phenomenon known as ‘thermal runaway’—a self-sustaining battery fire that is difficult to extinguish.

Given the confined space of an aircraft cabin, such fires can pose significant dangers. To minimize safety risks, passengers should take the following precautions:

Keep electronic devices in easily accessible places.
Avoid charging power banks or devices unattended.
Inform cabin crew immediately if a phone is lost in a seat.
Store power banks in carry-on luggage but not in overhead compartments.

Airlines are continually updating their safety measures to mitigate fire hazards, ensuring passenger security remains the top priority.

Similar Incidents

Concerns over lithium-ion batteries on aircraft are not unfounded. A recent Hong Kong Airlines (HX) flight from Hangzhou (HGH) witnessed a fire in an overhead compartment, reportedly caused by an overheating power bank in a passenger’s bag.

Cabin crew acted swiftly, using available liquids—including fruit juice—to extinguish the flames before they spread.

Major airlines have responded to these risks by enforcing stricter policies. From April 1, Singapore Airlines (SQ) and Malaysia Airlines (MH) will ban in-seat power bank charging.

Some carriers also prohibit storing power banks in overhead bins, allowing crew to monitor them closely in case of overheating.