American Airlines Flight 2398 arrived at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on Friday following an incident involving a passenger's laptop. The aircraft completed its landing without being diverted from its planned route from Atlanta. According to pilot audio captured in air traffic control recordings, the crew secured the device quickly after it began to emit smoke.
The airport's initial statement confirmed that one passenger received medical treatment and was subsequently released. However, the pilot's initial assessment suggested that four or five travelers may have sustained burns. These additional injury reports remain preliminary and are awaiting confirmation from regulatory agencies. The FAA has not yet issued a specific comment regarding this particular event.
The incident occurred against a backdrop of rising concerns over battery safety in aviation. An updated Federal Aviation Administration roster, dated August 11, documented at least 56 incidents in the United States involving batteries that produced smoke, fire, or excessive heat in 2026. The FAA notes that this list may not be exhaustive.
American Airlines operates more than 6,000 flights daily, meaning this single event represents a small fraction of its total operations. No broader disruptions were reported at DFW following the arrival.
Financially, American Airlines shares closed Friday at $13.82, reflecting a 2.2% gain for the day. For the week, the stock declined by 7.9%. This weekly drop was smaller than the declines seen in major competitors, with Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines all falling between 9.5% and 10.1% for the same period.
The market reaction to the safety incident is expected to be clearer after the weekend, as the news broke after the U.S. market closed.
