WIRED

America’s airline regulator, the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), is considering banning the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 from all flights.

Samsung has asked for the voluntary recall of 2.5 million phablets after reports that at least 35 devices had burst into flames while they were being used.


Following this, an FAA spokesperson told Gizmodo it was “working on guidance related to this issue.”

“If the device is recalled by the manufacturer, airline crew and passengers will not be able to bring recalled batteries or electronics that contain recalled batteries in the cabin of an aircraft, or in carry-on and checked baggage,” it said.

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Samsung has not launched an official recall within the US, so the devices are currently still permitted on board flights in the country.

The South Korean phone manufacturer was forced to suspend sales of the Note 7 last week – just weeks after it was launched in the US, and days before the phone was due to be launched in the UK.


“Because our customers' safety is an absolute priority at Samsung, we have stopped sales of the Galaxy Note 7,” Samsung said in a statement.

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Major mobile networks in the US have already provided customers with the option to exchange their faulty device with a working Note 7 or a Galaxy S7/S7 edge.

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Samsung has confirmed that the few UK customers who received their device before the official UK launch date can have their smartphones replaced from September 19.

To get a replacement, UK customers can call Samsung’s customer support team on 0330 7261 000 to arrange their exchange, or wait for their network providers to get in contact with them.

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According to estimates by Bloomberg, the global recall of the 5.7-inch screen phone could cost Samsung up to $1 billion (£750,000). The recall is bad timing for Samsung as Apple is expected to launch its iPhone 7 at tonight’s keynote conference in San Francisco.

The setback comes towards the end of an otherwise successful year for Samsung where Galaxy S7 sales saw the firm record its highest quarterly profits in two years.

The ICAO, which sets regulations on what can and cannot be brought on board flights in the UK, has not yet responded to WIRED’s request for comment.