Lufthansa flight makes emergency landing in Boston after iPad gets stuck in seat

UPDATED: Apr 28, 2025 07:42 IST

A Lufthansa flight bound for Munich from Los Angeles was forced to make an unscheduled landing after a passenger's iPad jammed in a business-class seat. The Airbus A380, carrying 461 passengers, was on its way to Munich when the incident occurred roughly three hours into the flight, on Wednesday, April 23.

The flight was diverted to Boston Logan Airport early Thursday morning after the tablet showed visible signs of deformation due to the seat's movement.

A Lufthansa spokesperson told Business Insider that the decision to divert the flight was made to eliminate any potential risk, particularly concerning the possibility of the device overheating.

Lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in tablets and other electronic devices, can pose serious safety risks if damaged, including the potential for thermal runaway, which could cause the battery to catch fire or even explode.

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The diversion was a precautionary measure, according to Lufthansa, with both the flight crew and air traffic control agreeing on the decision.

After landing in Boston, a Lufthansa Technik team boarded the aircraft to safely remove and inspect the iPad. Once the device was deemed no longer a threat, the flight resumed its journey and ultimately arrived in Munich at 4:35 pm local time on Thursday, about three hours later than scheduled.

This incident highlights the growing safety concerns regarding electronic devices on flights. The quick response from Lufthansa ensured the safety of all passengers and crew.

This is not the first time a passenger's electronic device has led to a flight diversion. Recently, an Air France flight was forced to return to Paris after a passenger lost their mobile phone onboard, highlighting the importance of safety when it comes to electronic devices in flight.