India, US, Australia and Japan advise users not to use the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on flights

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7, was until a few weeks ago one of the most anticipated phones of 2016. That changed quickly, when reports of the phablet catching fire or exploding broke out on the internet.

While at first it seemed like tall stories, it was indeed proven to be true, after Samsung conducted an investigation, which led to the culprit being a faulty battery. More recently reports of a hotel room fire, and a jeep explosion which were caused by the device in separate incidents add more to the misery of the Note 7 user.

Samsung has already halted the sale of the Note 7 around the World, and also announced global exchange program for the Note 7, using which users can exchange their phablets for a newer, and safer one. While the company is doing its best at damage control, reports are already surfacing that Samsung could lose as much as a Billion Dollars, because of the issue.

That’s secondary though, as the safety of people and property have to be prioritized. And that is exactly what many Aviation authorities, and Airlines around the World have taken up the responsibility for, protecting their crew and passengers on flights.

Speaking of which, we have across many many reports which falsely claim that the Note 7 is banned from flights. It is not the case. A ban means you cannot carry the device onboard at all. That is not what these official statements say.

Instead, they are advisories which say that the Note 7 should not be used on flights or powered on, or charged during the flight, or stowed in the baggage. Basically, that means you can carry the Note 7 on to a flight, but it should be powered off during the flight.

This is what the Indian Government’s Office of Director General of Civil Aviation said in a notice:

Airlines are advised to ensure the following for the safety of aircraft operations and its occupants: Not to turn on or charge Samsung Galaxy Note 7 mobile phone on board the aircraft. Not to stow them in any checked-in baggage.

Similarly, in the US, the FAA advised the following:

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.

Australian airline companies Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Tiger Airways have officially announced that they are also banning the use of the Note 7 on their flights.

Japanese aviation authorities have also issued similar advisories to their passengers and crew.

via NDTV, FAA, SMH