Certain MacBook Laptops Banned on Flights Due to Potential Battery Fire Hazard
If you’re planning on flying anytime soon and you wanted to bring your Macbook with you, you’ll want to keep reading.
In June 2019, Apple issued a voluntary recall of a number of 15-inch Macbook Pro laptops due to concerns over the lithium ion battery and the potential to catch fire. In August 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned the affected models from all flights, while the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EUASA) released a warning to European airlines regarding the affected laptops.
The recall affects all 15-inch Macbook Pro models sold between September 2015 and February 2017. You can check if your Macbook falls into this category by going to the Apple recall page here and entering your serial number. If your laptop is impacted by the recall, it is eligible for a free battery replacement through Apple.
Each airline has a different policy regarding this issue and it is not always clear as to how they will check whether your Macbook is impacted. Additionally, if you replaced your affected laptop with a new battery, it is unclear as to how you can prove that to the airline, especially during the hectic check-in process. It’d probably be safest to print out a screenshot of your serial number and to take that along with you just in case, regardless of what type of Macbook you have, and any proof or receipt of a battery replacement as well if necessary.
Several airlines, including Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia, have banned all faulty models from checked luggage and only allow them to be taken on-board and turned off as carry-on baggage. Some airlines have banned all 15-inch Macbooks of any year, and some have declared a blanket ban on any type of Macbook laptop from checked baggage. As of now, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways won’t allow the faulty models in checked or carry-on luggage.
It may seem like a hassle, but the extra steps to reduce any safety risks are worth it. If you or someone you know has been injured while traveling due to no fault of your own, please give us a call (703-796-9555) or email us at Abrams Landau, Ltd.