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

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 International Airport early Thursday morning after the tablet showed visible signs of deformation due to the seat’s movement.
A Lufthansa flight en route from Munich to New York made an unexpected emergency landing at Boston Logan International Airport on Thursday after a passenger’s iPad became lodged in a business-class seat, raising concerns over a potential fire hazard.

According to a statement from Lufthansa, the tablet became stuck in a reclining seat mechanism and could not be retrieved during the flight. Because lithium-ion batteries can pose a serious fire risk when damaged or overheated, the crew followed standard safety procedures and diverted the flight to the nearest airport.

“While the device did not show signs of smoke or overheating, the decision to divert was made out of an abundance of caution,” said a Lufthansa spokesperson. The aircraft landed safely in Boston at approximately 5:15 PM local time, and passengers were rebooked on alternate flights.

No injuries were reported, and all 236 passengers disembarked calmly. Emergency crews met the aircraft on the tarmac as a precautionary measure. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is aware of the incident and is reviewing the airline’s response.

This incident highlights the risks associated with personal electronic devices on aircraft. Airlines routinely warn passengers not to adjust seats if a device is lost within them and to notify the cabin crew immediately.

Passengers praised the professionalism of the crew. “They kept us calm and informed the whole time,” said Michael Grant, a passenger seated in economy. “It was a bit surreal that an iPad could lead to an emergency landing, but safety comes first.”

Lufthansa has not indicated whether the device belonged to a passenger or was part of the in-flight entertainment system.

The flight continued to New York after a thorough inspection and clearance from airport officials.