We know this already but some airlines are reiterating their policy that the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is banned on flights. In the US, the United States Department of Transportation has banned the smartphone after an official statement from Samsung has been released. This is more of a formality and the suggestion the past few weeks being strengthened. Apparently, there are Note 7 owners not heeding the call not to bring the phone aboard a flight.
The official statement said:
“Samsung, together with carriers, is working to communicate the U.S. Department of Transportation’s new order to ban all Galaxy Note7 devices in carry-on and checked baggage on flights. We have encouraged airlines to issue similar communications directly to their passengers. Any Galaxy Note7 owner should visit their carrier and retail store to participate in the U.S. Note7 Refund and Exchange Program now. We realize this is an inconvenience but your safety has to remain our top priority.”
Most of the airlines already posted related warnings but many people forget or don’t mind them at all. This USDOT ban officially brings the Note 7 part of the Federal Hazardous Material Regulations restrictions list. It seems that not everyone are complying, that is why Philip Berne, Samsung’s Marketing Manager for Technical Media, posted on Reddit of his plea to those “stubborn Note 7 owners”. Berne wrote: “You’re not just risking your own safety, but the safety of those around you. I understand it sucks, I really wanted one too – it’s probably the best Android phone out right now, feature-wise.”
Read the full message shared and posted on the Android subReddit:
Meanwhile in Europe, some airlines are also following suit. Lufthansa has earlier announced a ban. Air Berlin made a similar announcement over the weekend. The Note 7 is banned on all U.S.-related flights, at least, for now but other regions will soon follow. It’s the same with Singapore Airlines who announced that “the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone will be prohibited from being brought on board all our flights in person, in carry-on baggage or checked-in baggage with effect from 16 October”.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has officially reached its end last Tuesday even when reason for the fire incidents are not yet known. We have a feeling that agencies and airlines are being more strict about the Note 7 up to the point of “criminal prosecution” and fines once found to be in violation of the ban. The Transportation Department particularly may confiscate the phone and then be fined once found onboard or if passenger still insists, may be denied to board the plane.
So far, Samsung already received 96 reports of overheating batteries in the United States alone. Of the number, 23 were reported since the first recall. Less than two million Note 7 units have been sold in the US–about 1.9 million (2.5M worldwide) and one million were recalled since September 15.
