On today’s episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, we’re unpacking a safety warning you’ve heard on every flight but may not have taken seriously: don’t reach for your phone if it slips between the airplane seats — call a flight attendant instead.

It sounds like a small thing, but as we explore in this episode, it’s a rule written in fire. Literally.

This story comes from reporting in Afar Magazine, and it reveals just how dangerous a crushed smartphone can be inside an aircraft cabin.

When a phone gets wedged in the seat’s mechanical components, it can be crushed if the seat moves. That’s when the lithium battery can overheat and enter thermal runaway, a chain reaction where the battery “rapidly heats up, releases flammable gases, and can ignite.”

We highlight several dramatic examples, including:

• A Southwest flight where a crushed phone ignited a seat at the gate, forcing all 108 passengers to evacuate via emergency slides.
• A Hawaiian Airlines flight that declared an emergency after a trapped phone began emitting a burning smell near landing.
• An Alaska Airlines flight that returned to the airport after a phone and portable battery pack ignited in the cabin.

FAA records show 106 verified incidents between 2006 and early 2026 involving lithium batteries in phones overheating, smoking, or catching fire — with 21 incidents in 2025 alone.

Airline reps explain that crews are trained to access the tight, complex seat mechanisms safely. As American Airlines notes, “seats can vary between aircraft,” and flight attendants know how to retrieve a device before it becomes a hazard.

Delta adds that calling a crew member also prevents passengers from injuring themselves: “Those seats are tight. We’d rather get your phone out for you rather than have you potentially jam your finger.”

If a device becomes hot or begins emitting fumes, the crew can immediately activate fire‑safety protocols — another reason they want to know right away.

That quick line in the safety briefing isn’t just airline over‑caution. It’s a real, documented risk. If your phone slips into the seat, don’t reach for it — call a flight attendant. As the article concludes, “now you know, they weren’t kidding when they warned you about that.”

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We explore this vibrant region, known for its stunning landscapes, mountains, local vineyards, and a plethora of agri-tourism opportunities. Our journey takes us through charming towns like Dunham, Bromont, and Frelighsburg, where we stay at the welcoming Gite La Maison Bleu and dine at Espace Old Mill, enjoying meals crafted from locally sourced ingredients.

This episode includes many photos and short videos from this region of Quebec, edited by Teh Chin Liang, a GoNOMAD Contributor.

We also visit innovative cideries and partake in activities such as mountain biking and disc golf, all while soaking in the views of the Vermont mountains. Join us as we discover the unique flavors and stories that this nearby region has to offer.

https://youtu.be/o3TS6ncDJZc

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

This week, host Max Hartshorne takes you inside one of Europe’s most intense and iconic travel experiences: the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. With insight from Pamplona resident Losu Values, we explore what it really takes to watch the event—not just survive it—and how first-time visitors can actually understand what they’re seeing.

Most travelers arrive with a cinematic image in mind: bulls charging, runners sprinting, adrenaline everywhere. But the reality is more layered. The route changes character from section to section, and your experience depends entirely on where you stand and how early you prepare.

We break down the difference between street-level and balcony viewing, explain why timing and geography matter more than chaos, and explore how the rhythm of the morning builds long before the bulls are released. Losu explains how locals read the route, anticipate the movement, and choose their vantage points with precision. We also quote a friend of Max's who has been to the San Fermin festival 48 times, every year since 1976, he explains what he loves so much.

You’ll learn why the run lasts only a few minutes but requires hours of preparation, how the old town’s compact layout can confuse even seasoned travelers, and why clarity—not proximity—is the key to a memorable experience.

Whether you’re planning your first trip to San Fermín or just curious about what it’s really like to be there, this episode gives you the insider’s view of Pamplona’s most famous morning.

Listen now on the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, hosted by Max Hartshorne. Visit us at GoNOMAD.com and Voyascape.com for more travel stories, guides, and podcast episodes.

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