MacBook Pros – fire risk? Errrrr, is anyone else staring at their work laptop right now like it might be time to upgrade? Especially when travelling with it is becoming increasingly harder?

Australia’s biggest airlines are the latest to tell customers that they can’t check-in MacBook Pros due to safety concerns. Instead, they’ll have to carry them on the aircraft.

Qantas and Virgin Australia‘s announcements come a few weeks after US authorities banned the 15-inch computer from all domestic flights, citing batteries that may “overheat” for the decision.

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Image: Oliur/Unsplash

In an update to flyers, Virgin Australia said the check-in ban would come into effect immediately, however, owners of the Apple product can still travel with it, so long as it’s in their carry-on.

“To ensure the safety of our guests and crew, it is mandatory that guests comply with this safety requirement.”

Virgin Australia

“We apologise for any inconvenience to our guests, however safety is always our number one priority.”

Qantas shared a similar sentiment, sayingthe restriction went into effect on all flights on Tuesday morning.

 

IS IT ALL MACBOOK PROS?

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Image: Mark Solarski/Unsplash

To be on the safe side, just put your laptop in your carry-on.

But for those who need the specifics, the check-in restriction applies to 15-inch MacBook Pros sold from September 2015 to February 2017.

Apple issued a recall of the product earlier this month as “the battery may overheat and pose a fire safety risk”.

 

IS IT JUST QANTAS & VIRGIN AUS INTRODUCING THE BAN?

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Image: Mimi Thian/Unsplash

No, it’s a number of airlines including Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways.

Additionally, the US Federal Aviation Authority has issued a total ban of the computer on all domestic services.