You’re 35,000 feet in the air, somewhere between Hangzhou and Hong Kong, settled in for a quick two-hour hop. Maybe you’re scrolling through photos or finishing a work email. Suddenly, the smell of burning plastic hits you. Then comes the smoke—acrid, grey, and thick—pouring out from the overhead bin right above your head.
This isn't a hypothetical safety briefing. This actually happened on Hong Kong Airlines flight HX115 on March 20, 2025. It’s the kind of thing that makes your heart drop into your stomach. Honestly, it's also the reason why the rules for your carry-on luggage just got a whole lot stricter.
The Chaos on Flight HX115
It was a Thursday afternoon. The Airbus A320 was carrying 160 passengers and eight crew members. About 15 minutes after takeoff, the cabin went from routine to "emergency mode" in seconds. A fire had ignited inside one of the overhead compartments.
If you've ever seen a lithium battery go into thermal runaway, you know it’s not a slow burn. It’s a chemical chain reaction that feeds itself. It gets hot—fast.
The scene was kinda wild. While the pilots prepped for an emergency diversion to Fuzhou Changle International Airport, the cabin crew didn't just wait around. Since they were dealing with a lithium fire, they knew they needed to cool it down. Interestingly, videos from social media showed crew members and even some quick-thinking passengers dousing the source with whatever they had on hand—bottled water, juice, and reportedly even milk.
They managed to kill the flames before the plane touched down in Fuzhou at 2:01 PM. Nobody was hurt, which is a miracle considering how narrow those aisles are. But the damage was done—not just to the overhead bin, but to the "business as usual" approach to flying with chargers.
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Why That Specific Power Bank Failed
A few months after the fire, we got the "why."
An investigation by France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) pointed the finger at a specific device: a ROMOSS 20,000mAh power bank. It turns out the battery cell materials were prone to overheating.
This led to a massive recall in June 2025. We’re talking nearly half a million units—specifically models PAC20-272, PAC20-392, and PLT20A-152. If you bought a ROMOSS charger between mid-2023 and mid-2024, you basically had a tiny, ticking fire hazard in your pocket.
The hong kong airlines power bank fire wasn't just a fluke. It was a symptom of a bigger problem: the market is flooded with high-capacity, low-cost batteries that can’t always handle the pressure (literally) of a pressurized cabin.
The New Reality of Flying in 2026
If you’ve flown through HKIA recently, you’ve probably noticed the vibe has changed. The "wild west" days of charging your phone whenever you want are over.
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As of early 2026, Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department (CAD) has locked things down. Most people don't realize that the hong kong airlines power bank fire was the tipping point for these specific new rules:
- No More Overhead Bins: You can’t put your power bank in the overhead locker anymore. It has to be under the seat in front of you or in your pocket. Why? Because if it starts smoking under your seat, you’ll notice it instantly. If it’s in a bin, it can reach $900^\circ C$ before anyone smells a thing.
- The Charging Ban: This is the one that bugs people. You are technically prohibited from using a power bank to charge your devices during the flight on many Hong Kong-based routes. You can carry it, but you can't plug it in.
- The 100Wh Limit: This is the hard line. Anything under 100 watt-hours is usually fine (roughly 27,000mAh). Anything between 100Wh and 160Wh needs airline approval. Anything over 160Wh? Leave it at home.
How to Calculate Your Watt-Hours
Most labels show mAh (milliamp hours), but airlines care about Wh (watt-hours). To figure out if your charger is legal, use this formula:
$$(mAh \times V) / 1000 = Wh$$
For a standard power bank ($3.7V$):
$$(20,000 \times 3.7) / 1000 = 74 Wh$$
So, a 20,000mAh unit is safe to carry (under 100Wh), but if you’re rocking a massive 40,000mAh "brick," you’re likely over the limit and could face a fine or have it confiscated.
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Why We Can't Just "Extinguish" These Fires
Here’s the scary part: traditional fire extinguishers (like the Halon ones on planes) don't really "put out" a lithium fire. They just stop the flames. The battery itself is still undergoing a chemical reaction.
The only way to stop it is to cool it down. That’s why you see flight attendants putting devices into "fire containment bags" or dousing them with water. It’s about thermal management, not just smothering the fire.
What You Should Do Before Your Next Flight
Look, nobody wants to be the person responsible for an emergency landing in a city they didn't intend to visit. To avoid being "that guy," here’s the checklist:
- Check Your Brand: If you own a ROMOSS, check the model number against the 2025 recall list. If it’s on there, stop using it. Now.
- Inspect for Bloating: If your power bank looks "puffy" or the casing is slightly cracked, it’s a fire waiting to happen. Dispose of it at a proper e-waste facility.
- Tape the Terminals: If you’re carrying spare batteries (not just a power bank), put a bit of clear tape over the metal contacts. It prevents accidental short-circuiting against your keys or coins.
- Keep it Accessible: Never, ever put a lithium battery in your checked luggage. If a fire starts in the cargo hold, the plane's automated suppression systems might not be enough to stop it.
The hong kong airlines power bank fire was a wake-up call for the industry. While it’s a pain to have more restrictions, it’s a lot better than the alternative. If you're flying out of Hong Kong soon, just keep your charger in your bag under the seat and wait until you land to top up your battery. It’s not worth the risk.
Actionable Steps for Travelers
- Verify your gear: Check the "Wh" rating on the back of your device today. If it's faded and unreadable, security may take it.
- Update your packing habits: Move all power banks, e-cigarettes, and spare camera batteries into a dedicated small pouch that stays in your "personal item" (the bag that goes under the seat).
- Report heat: If your phone or charger feels unusually hot during a flight, notify the crew immediately. Don't wait for smoke.