Key Facts at a Glance

• Flight: American Airlines AA357 (Philadelphia → Phoenix)
• Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
• Aircraft: Airbus A321
• Incident: Passenger device caught fire mid-flight, producing smoke
• Diversion: Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
• Passengers/Crew: 160 passengers, six crew members
• Outcome: Fire quickly contained; safe landing; no injuries

‍

Mid-Flight Emergency

Flight AA357, operated on an Airbus A321, departed Philadelphia International Airport on Saturday morning with 160 passengers and six crew members on board. Roughly an hour into the flight, smoke was reported after a passenger’s device ignited.

According to American Airlines, cabin crew “quickly contained” the smoke using onboard fire safety equipment, and the aircraft landed safely at Dulles at approximately 11:52 a.m. Emergency crews met the plane upon arrival, following standard safety protocol.

The incident was documented on FlightAware’s live tracking, which shows the diversion from its planned route to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Passenger Accounts

A passenger seated in the exit row told ABC News she was woken abruptly when a flight attendant climbed onto her seat to access a fire extinguisher.

“Then I started smelling smoke, and a lot of people on the plane were coughing. When I looked behind me, there was something on fire in the aisle,” she recalled.

Lithium-Ion Battery Concerns

While the airline did not specify the device involved, officials noted that lithium-ion batteries—used in laptops, smartphones, and portable chargers—have been linked to a rising number of in-flight fire incidents.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported more than 20 battery-related fires on U.S. passenger flights in 2025. As a precaution, some airlines, including Southwest Airlines, have implemented policies requiring passengers to keep power banks and other charging devices visible during flights.

Airline Response

American Airlines confirmed that all passengers were rebooked on alternative flights to Phoenix and issued a statement:

“We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience this caused and thank our crew for their professionalism in handling the situation.”

No injuries were reported, and the airline emphasized that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority.

‍