An Air France flight, designated AF750, made an unexpected return to Paris shortly after takeoff due to an emergency stemming from a passenger’s forgotten cell phone. Operating a Boeing 777-300ER with the registration number F-GSQX, the aircraft was fully loaded with 375 passengers and 12 crew members.
The flight took off from Paris Orly Airport at 11:51 CET on March 21, 2025, embarking on a scheduled nine-hour journey to Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe. Approximately one hour into the flight, it was decided to turn back as a precautionary measure related to the missing cell phone.
The aircraft successfully landed back at Paris Orly Airport at 14:06 CET, resulting in a total flight time of 2 hours and 16 minutes. In response to the situation, Air France confirmed that their teams were actively searching for the lost phone to enable a timely departure. More information regarding the specific nature of the emergency due to the phone has yet to be provided.
The unusual incident prompted a wave of reactions on social media, with numerous users on X playfully commenting on the situation. One individual humorously inquired:
“Uhm what was on that phone?”
“How’s this an emergency??,”another user asked.
“Bro must’ve had deep connections to turn the whole plane around just for him,”joked another netizen jokingly remarked.
“Imagine being late to an important meeting because another person lost their phone,”quipped yet another user added.
As the humor continued, several users speculated about the context of the situation:
“There’s gotta be more context, like it was stolen by someone on the plane right? The phone belonged to someone who works for the government, I’m guessing?,”a fan postulated speculated.
“Burned thousands of dollars of fuel for a phone,”another user commented.
“I’m surprised people on the plane didn’t try to fight the passenger about this!,”remarked another participant on X jokingly.
Guidelines for Electronic Devices on Air France Flights
As per information available on the official Air France US website, all electronic devices that passengers plan to place in their checked luggage must be powered off. This policy covers items such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets, highlighting the airline’s commitment to passenger safety.
“Devices placed in checked baggage must be switched off. Unintentional activation of these appliances (e.g., by pressing a sensitive start button) must be made impossible by the mandatory removal of the battery.”
The regulations further clarify:
“All appliances with heating elements and powered by lithium batteries (e.g., hair curlers or straighteners) are accepted in hand baggage and checked baggage only if the heating elements or batteries are removed. Devices that do not allow for one of these two parts to be removed are prohibited.”
Specifically, for devices equipped with lithium metal batteries not exceeding 100 Wh, such as standard mobile phones, advanced approval from Air France is not required. However, due to the inherent risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, airlines enforce stringent rules regarding their use.
While the airline has yet to detail why the lost phone resulted in an emergency, reports from the Free Press Journal suggest that this decision may have been a precautionary step. Proper handling of lithium-ion devices is critical, as improper storage can lead to fires, posing a risk to passenger safety.
The implementation of such guidelines—including restrictions on in-flight charging and internet use, as well as specific storage requirements for electronic devices—is crucial for safeguarding all individuals aboard the flight.