Australian airlines ban Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on all flights

Qantas, JetStar, and Virgin Australia take step to snuff out risk of on-board fires

The 3 airlines all cite the smartphone’s potential fire risk as the reason for the ban, which came into effect on Sunday night.

It’s more bad news for Samsung which is currently in the process of recalling its Note handsets. According to sources, around 40 Note 7s have been reported to have caught fire while charging, due to a problem with the lithium ion battery that the Note users.

The problem with Samsung’s flagship device, which was only released earlier this year is expected to cost the company and the manufacturer of the battery in and around a billion US dollars to make right.

The airlines which have made the decision to ban the Note 7 have not been directed to institute the ban on the electronic device by aviation authorities from within the country, but is instead their own choice.

In the US, Alaska Airlines last week opted to start carrying fire proof bags for portable devices that catch fire, but the latest news from the US is that the Federal Aviation Authority might be banning them from US flights as well in the next week.

Qantas states that the total ban on the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 will come into force on all Qantas and Jetstar flights from 12:01 am (AEDT) on Sunday 16 October:

“The ban applies to devices being carried onto the aircraft, in carry-on baggage as well as check-in luggage…Other Samsung devices are not affected.”

While previously, the airlines allowed with the phone to fly as long as it was turned off, now anyone found with the phone in their possession, or in their hand or checked luggage will be denied the right to board.