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Things just keep getting worse for the Galaxy Note 7. Samsung’s latest phablet, which can explode due to a serious battery fault, has now been banned from a number of Australian airlines — including Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia.
Although none of these airlines were forced to ban the Galaxy Note 7, they did so voluntarily due to concerns over its battery. Samsung has already recalled the device in 10 markets, and confirmed that it has had 35 cases of exploding devices.
It’s not quite a total ban, however. Passengers will be able to take the Galaxy Note 7 onto flights; they are just restricted from charging it while on board. That means the device cannot be plugged into the in-flight entertainment systems that carry USB ports.
“Following Samsung Australia’s recall of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 personal electronic device we are requesting that passengers who own them do not switch on or charge them in flight,” a Qantas spokesman said in an emailed statement to Reuters.
Samsung Australia has confirmed that it had spoken with Qantas and Virgin Australia about the recall. Earlier reports claimed the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also considering a ban for U.S. airlines.
[via Reuters]
