Travelers will want to exercise caution when boarding an airplane with a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 handset, the Federal Aviation Administration urges. The FAA issued a statement Thursday, detailing its stance on the combustible smartphone.
“In light of recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note 7 devices, the Federal Aviation Administration strongly advises passengers not to turn on or charge these devices on board aircraft and not to stow them in any checked baggage,” the FAA said.
Samsung recalled the Galaxy Note 7 on Sept. 2, following some 35 incidents of exploding batteries. Recent incidents include a Galaxy Note 7 handset exploding in a hotel room, causing £1,000 worth of damage, and a unit exploding in a Jeep , causing the vehicle to catch on fire.
Samsung has since issued a statement explaining the battery flaw, which causes the cell to spontaneously combust. According to the manufacturer, the anode battery component coming in contact with the cathode component can cause a very explosive chemical reaction.
In addition to the FAA’s warning about the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, Australian airlines Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin have banned travelers from bringing Galaxy Note 7 units onboard planes. The Indian government has also banned the Galaxy Note 7 from all flights.
Reports indicate Samsung has already lost $1 billion amid the Galaxy Note 7 fallout. About 2.5 million handsets had been shipped globally at the time of the recall. According to Samsung, about 42,000 handsets were at risk of exploding.
Samsung has not definitively named its recent sales halt a recall, but rather a “voluntary replacement.” The manufacturer is offering consumers the chance to exchange the Galaxy Note 7 for a new model, a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge or a full refund, including accessories. U.S. carriers are also offering individual deals to return or exchange the Galaxy Note 7.
Update
Samsung has issued a statement responding to the FAA saying, "We are aware of the Federal Aviation Administration’s statement about the Galaxy Note7. Consumer safety and peace of mind are our top priority. We plan to expedite new shipments of Galaxy Note7 starting from this week in order to alleviate any safety concerns and reduce any inconvenience for our customers."
