Don’t try and take this item on checked luggage anymore: The everyday device now banned from Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin
Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia have banned passengers from bringing Apple MacBooks in their checked-in luggage due to safety concerns.
Following the worldwide recall of some MacBooks over battery issues, Virgin announced that all MacBook laptops will have to be carried into the cabin with a passenger. The ban applies to all models.
“Due to the worldwide recall of some Apple MacBooks, we are requesting all guests take their Apple MacBooks as carry-on luggage as a safety precaution,” a Virgin spokesman said in a statement.
“The safety of our guests and crew is always our highest priority.”
Qantas and Jetstar also confirmed in a joint statement that they would ban MacBook Pros from checked-in baggage.
“Until further notice, all Apple MacBook Pros must be carried in cabin baggage and switched off for flight following a recall notice issued by Apple,” the statement read.
It is not known how long the laptop bans will remain in place.
In June, Apple recalled some of its 15-inch MacBook Pro laptops over fears that their lithium-ion batteries “may overheat and pose a safety risk”. Owners of MacBook Pro sold between September 2015 and February 2017 were asked to stop using the devices and seek battery replacements as soon as possible.
“Customer safety is always Apple’s top priority, and we have voluntarily decided to replace affected batteries, free of charge,” the company said in a statement.
According to Product Safety Australia, laptop owners “can use the serial number lookup tool on Apple’s website, to determine if their 15-inch MacBook Pro is affected by the recall”.