Oliver Haslam on August 28, 2019, 8:32 pm

All Apple MacBooks Now Banned From Checked Baggage On Virgin Australia

Australian Airline Virgin Australia has banned all Apple MacBook notebooks computers from checked baggage on its flights. Instead, users must take them as hand baggage instead.

This comes after Apple initiated a voluntary recall of some 15-inch 2015 MacBook Pro models due to battery concerns.

The FAA subsequently reminded US airlines that they shouldn’t allow those notebooks onto flights whereas all others were fine. This move by Virgin Australia however doesn’t discriminate and similar bans all MacBooks.

Important information for passengers travelling with Apple MacBooks: Due to a worldwide recall by Apple of a number of Apple MacBook batteries, ALL Apple MacBooks must be placed in carry-on baggage only. No Apple MacBooks are permitted in checked in baggage until further notice.

Virgin Australia hasn’t said when we should expect this ban to end and would only say that it will remain in place until “further notice”. That’s a very open statement indeed.

The silver lining here is that MacBooks can still be taken onto Virgin Australia flights so long as they are in hand luggage. That also happens to be how most people would be likely to take a computer onto a flight, so it’s possible this won’t impact as many people as would first be imagined. Still, it’s a worry for Apple and its users especially considering all future MacBooks will also be part of this ban. Including the anticipated 16-inch MacBook Pro that is likely to be announced in the coming weeks or months.

(Source: Virgin Australia)