Select MacBook Pro models are considered a fire threat and banned on flights in the United States. The US Federal Aviation Authority has stated that some MacBook Pro laptops pose a fire risk, and won’t be allowed on board any flights in the country. The aviation body added these MacBook units wouldn’t be allowed either as hand baggage in the cabin or the cargo.
Apple had earlier confirmed that the batteries of MacBook Pro units sold between September 2015 and February 2017 tend to overheat, therefore, could pose a fire risk. The company issued a recall back in June for faulty MacBook Pro models which might have an issue with lithium-ion batteries. Apple, however, stated that only a small number of MacBook Pro units had flaws with the battery.
Notably, the company hasn’t revealed an exact number of faulty MacBook units sold between the said period. That said, researchers estimate the number of affected units to be 460,000, out of which 26,000 were from Canada.
The ban mainly applies to 15-inch Macbook models sold between September 2015 and February 2017. To find out whether your MacBook Pro is or isn’t a safety risk on flights, you’ll have to find out your serial number. Just go to the ‘About this Mac’ page found at the top-left corner of your Mac’s screen. Then head over to the link and type in your serial number in the search bar under ‘Eligibility.’ If your MacBook is eligible for a recall, go to your local Apple store and get a battery replacement for free.
Apple reportedly received “26 reports of battery overheating, one report of smoke inhalation and five incidents of minor burns, along with 17 reports of minor damage to personal property in close vicinity.”
The FAA is now working with major airlines in the US to enforce safety guidelines for affected MacBook Pro units by ensuring that passengers don’t take them on flights.
