Last week the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned 15-inch MacBook Pros issued between September 2015 and February 2017 from flying.
Apple recalled the product in June because they “determined that, in a limited number of older generation 15-inch MacBook Pro units, the battery may overheat and pose a fire safety risk”, according to Bloomberg.
The laptops are not allowed to be brought on commercial flights even if they are in checked or carry-on bags.
According to the U.S. Consumer Production Safety Commission, this ban affects about 432,000 MacBook Pros in the United States.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency recommends airlines to make announcements about the laptops and if a passenger has one on the flight, they are not allowed to turn it on or charge it.
So far, four airlines have banned the MacBook Pro: TUI Group Airlines, Air Transat, Thomas Cook Airlines, and Air Italy.
Since 2013, there have been more than a dozen fires on flights because of lithium-ion batteries — there were 46 in 2018 alone.
Here’s how to find out if your MacBook Pro is banned from flying:
- Click Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen
- Select “About This Mac”
- Under the “Overview” portion, look out for a description saying “MacBook Pro (Retina, 25-inch, Mid 2015)”
So what if your laptop has this description?
According to Fast Company, get your MacBook’s serial number and head to Apple’s recall page to confirm that your laptop has been recalled.
If your laptop is in fact banned, there is good news! Apple will replace the battery free of charge so you will be able to fly with your laptop.
It has not been determined how airlines will check for batteries so it is advised to travel with proof that your battery is safe to fly.