FAA considers banning the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 from flying on U.S. airlines

posted by Alan F.

Sep 06, 2016, 10:36 PM

FAA considers banning the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 from flying on U.S. airlines

As a rule, the FAA isn't in favor of allowing items on a plane that can go "boom!" The agency would prefer that airplanes stay in the sky until they slowly descend onto the runway of their destination. With that in mind, the FAA got together with the TSA and major U.S. airlines this weekend to determine whether the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 should be banned on flights.

Unless you were put into a coma for medical reasons, you are probably aware that a handful of Galaxy Note 7 phablets have exploded while charging, leading Samsung to halt shipments of the device. The company has also stopped selling the handset, and is exchanging units sold for other phones. U.S. carriers are exchanging sold models, while some who bought the device are playing Russian Roulette by continuing to operate the phone. This afternoon, we told you that an Australian hotel room caught on fire thanks to a Note 7. We also recommend that anyone with the device should trade it in right away.

Meanwhile, the FAA has yet to make a decision about whether to allow the Galaxy Note 7 to board a plane. Actually, what the FCC does with the device is largely up to Samsung. The manufacturer has not officially recalled the phone, as pointed out by Consumer Reports. If it decides to do so, government entities will need to get involved, and anyone selling the device can be criminally charged. If the Galaxy Note 7 is recalled, the device will not be allowed inside an aircraft whether carried by passenger or crew. The phablet will also be prohibited from entering an aircraft as carry on or checked luggage.

"The FAA and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration are working on guidance related to this issue. If the device is recalled by the manufacturer, airline crew and passengers will not be able to bring recalled batteries or electronics that contain recalled batteries in the cabin of an aircraft, or in carry-on and checked baggage."-FAA spokesman

One million Galaxy Note 7 units have been sold since the phone launched in the middle of last month. Samsung has voluntarily recalled 2.5 million units. As long as the recall remains voluntary, it is up to each airline to decide whether the phablet is allowed on board its flights. If the FCC gets involved and decides to ban the phone from flying, all U.S. airlines will be forced to follow the decision.