On Saturday, May 10, 2025, a JetBlue Airbus A320-200 en route to Nassau, Bahamas, was compelled to make an emergency landing after a portable charger ignited in a passenger's carry-on bag. The incident occurred approximately 50 miles from Nassau as the aircraft descended toward its destination. The flight crew promptly declared an emergency to Nassau Air Traffic Control (ATC) when smoke began to permeate the cabin.

Flight attendants identified a portable charger as the source of the smoke and swiftly extinguished the fire using water. The smoldering device was then contained in the forward lavatory's trash can. The aircraft, registered as N584JB and 21 years old, safely landed on runway 14 in Nassau, and no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew. The Bahamas Air Accident Investigation Authority is currently investigating the incident.

Following a thorough inspection and cleaning, the aircraft was cleared for service the next day. JetBlue operates multiple flights to Nassau from U.S. cities, including Fort Lauderdale, Boston, New York JFK, and Orlando. The Fort Lauderdale route sees up to three daily flights utilizing both A320s and A220 aircraft.

This incident underscores the growing concern over lithium-ion battery fires in aviation. The FAA reports that such fires on U.S. flights are occurring nearly twice a week, marking a 400% increase in the last decade. The FAA has urged airlines to enhance safety messaging, particularly during pre-flight briefings.

A survey by UL Standards & Engagement revealed that 87% of flight attendants are deeply concerned about lithium-ion battery fire risks. Despite prohibitions against packing these batteries in checked luggage, over 25% of passengers admitted to doing so. Travelers are urged to keep these devices in the cabin and to immediately notify the crew if a device overheats or changes color.

JetBlue has encountered several prior battery-related incidents:

• May 2017: A New York JFK to San Francisco flight diverted due to a battery fire in a backpack.
• December 2022: A Bridgetown to New York JFK flight evacuated after a battery fire during taxiing, resulting in minor injuries to seven passengers.
• October 2023: A fire in a passenger’s backpack at New York JFK caused severe burns and led to an aircraft evacuation.
• September 2024: A New York JFK to San Diego flight diverted to Salina, Kansas, due to smoke in the cargo hold.

These events highlight the increasing pressure on the aviation industry to bolster safety protocols and increase passenger awareness regarding the potential hazards of lithium-ion batteries.