URGENT UPDATE: United Airlines has diverted a flight due to a serious safety concern involving a passenger’s laptop. On November 19, 2025, Flight UA925, a Boeing 767 traveling from London Heathrow to Washington Dulles, made an unexpected landing at Dublin Airport after a laptop slipped into a narrow gap in a business-class seat.
According to reports from Shaun’s Aviation, the laptop became trapped between the armrest and the wall, making it inaccessible to the crew. Fearing potential risks associated with the lithium-ion battery, the flight crew opted for caution and diverted the aircraft.
The plane landed safely in Dublin, where maintenance crews promptly retrieved and inspected the laptop. Though the diversion caused significant delays, the flight resumed later that evening, ultimately arriving in Washington approximately five hours late.
A message from the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) revealed the device was “between the seat and side wall,” preventing crew members from monitoring its condition. United Airlines confirmed the precautionary measure, stating, “the diversion was to retrieve a customer’s laptop… that had fallen… in between the seat and the side wall.”
The safety concern arises from the risks of lithium-ion batteries. If damaged or overheated, these batteries can enter a dangerous state known as thermal runaway, potentially causing smoke or fire. Due to the inability to reach or visually inspect the device, the crew prioritized passenger safety and diverted the flight.
This incident marks yet another example of increasing concerns over electronic devices on flights. In a similar case earlier in October 2025, Flight UA126, also operated by a Boeing 767, had to return to Dulles after a powered-on laptop slipped through a gap and into the cargo area. The pilot communicated the urgency to air traffic control, stating, “We don’t know the status of it. We can’t access it. We can’t see it… So our decision is to return… and find this laptop before we can continue over the ocean.”
In another alarming incident, a passenger’s battery on a SAS Airbus A320neo caught fire in Oslo, leading to eight individuals being hospitalized due to toxic fumes. Such events highlight a broader aviation safety challenge regarding the risks posed by portable electronics powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Airlines, including United, are becoming more vigilant about devices that can slip into seat mechanisms, especially on long-haul flights. Current protocols emphasize caution, with crews instructed to avoid aggressive seat manipulation and isolate affected areas. The priority remains clear: ensuring passenger safety when the condition of a trapped battery cannot be verified.
As incidents like these continue to rise, airlines and regulators are tightening restrictions, enhancing crew training on fire safety, and reviewing cabin designs to prevent devices from disappearing into tight spaces.
Travelers are advised to keep electronics secure and alert cabin crew immediately if a device goes missing or exhibits any unusual behavior. The message is clear: prioritize safety and remain vigilant about electronic devices on flights.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
