Virgin Australia has banned all MacBooks from its flights.
The airline updated its list of banned items earlier this week, and MacBooks are now listed as one of the products that cannot be included in checked luggage.
No models are permitted in the hold of the airline, following news of Apple’s recall of some MacBook Pro varieties.
Under the company’s ‘Dangerous Goods’ page, a new notification warns users that they cannot fly with their MacBooks in their checked luggage any Virgin Australia flight.
It’s important to note, however, that this relates only to checked luggage – MacBooks can still be carried in carry-on luggage, which is how most consumers would carry a MacBook anyway.
The ban applies to all MacBook models, including the MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro.
Whilst the company does not give any reason for banning the entire notebook lineup, it is likely to make it easier for the staff to manage, without having to check particular models.
Virgin Australia says the ban is “until further notice,” suggesting it’s not a permanent move.
The news comes on the same that as the company says it will cut 750 jobs after a $349m full-year loss.
Though Virgin Australia may be erring on the side of caution by banning all MacBooks, it falls in line with the Federal Aviation Authority’s new policy, which suggests all airlines should follow rules related to products that have had their batteries recalled.
Under the regulations, affected devices are restricted on cargo planes and carry-on in flights.
In the United States, agents are currently checking whether a MacBook Pro has USB-C ports to determine whether it can fly – those between 2012 and 2015 should be carried instead of checked.
Serial numbers are unlikely to be checked due to the labor involved.
Apple issued its battery recall in June, applying to all 15-inch MacBook Pro models released between September 2015 and February 2017.
The company said some of the models contain “cells that have a chance of overheating” which could “pose a fire safety risk.”
Other reports have suggested that the models have failing batteries, and one New Jersey resident is suing the company after sustaining “serious and permanent personal injuries” after using their MacBook Pro and its charger.
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