How to Find Out If the FAA Has Banned Your MacBook Pro From Flying
On Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration officially banned certain MacBook Pros from flying to the United States. The news comes a few months after Apple voluntarily recalled certain laptops due to overheating of the batteries, which posed a fire hazard.
On August 1, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency also warned airlines of the risks of flying with recalled laptops; Affected MacBook Pros were banned by four international carriers this week, and that number is likely to rise following the FAA report. As Bloomberg reports , the FAA has now warned US airlines to follow the organization’s general battery safety guidelines (which includes not stowing away any affected laptop in the cargo hold or carry-on luggage).
In total, the ban affects approximately 432,000 MacBook Pros sold in the United States. Affected models include 15-inch MacBook Pros sold between September 2015 and February 2017. If you are unsure of the exact specifications for your MacBook Pro, click the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen, followed by About This Mac in the drop-down list. According to Fast Company , affected notebooks will describe “MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)” or something similar.
If your laptop is subject to a recall, don’t worry – Apple will also replace the battery for free. Go to Apple’s recall page , enter your serial number and make an appointment for a battery replacement in the store or by mail. If you would like to check if your laptop has been harmed, you can also use the recall page to find out if your laptop is eligible. After replacing it, you can still fly your MacBook Pro, according to Bloomberg , although it’s unclear how airline employees can tell the difference at the check-in counter. We recommend bringing any battery replacement receipts or paperwork from Apple if the airline won’t let you board your MacBook Pro, just in case.