The FAA just banned some MacBook Pro models from going on flights

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The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) just announced that some MacBook Pro models are banned from going on board aircraft. The affected models are the same 2015 models that have a current recall by Apple for their dangerous battery issues.

Some MacBook Pro models with faulty batteries are banned from flying

It turns out that the FAA doesn’t want you to travel with potentially unsafe lithium batteries. Two months after Apple started a voluntary recall program for the unsafe laptop batteries, the US regulator has stopped airlines from allowing the batteries onboard flights.

• It’s unknown why it took the FAA months to put the ban into place
• The European Union Aviation Safety Agency banned passengers from charging or turning on the affected MacBooks during flight
• Four airlines with cargo services managed by Total Cargo Expertise (TUI Group Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines, Air Italy, and Air Transat) have banned those affected MacBooks from being carried as cargo
• Apple says the battery recall is because they might overheat and present a safety risk. That risk? They could catch fire.
• 15-inch MacBook Pro models sold between 2015 and 2017 are potentially affected

If you’re not sure if your MacBook Pro is affected, you can check by putting your serial number into Apple’s checking tool.

What do you think? Surprised it took the FAA this long or surprised that it is even an issue? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.