Korean Air restricts Apple, Dell laptops
updated 06:15 pm EDT, Tue September 5, 2006
Korean Air bans laptops
Korean Air has forbidden the use of Dell and Apple laptops during flight due to the risk of battery explosion, according to The Korean Times. The Korean national flag carrier said yesterday that the ban was put in place on Aug. 30, after the both U.S. computer manufacturers announced the recall of Sony-manufactured batteries used in some of the companies' laptop models. "Due to the risk of onboard fire, we are not allowing passengers to use certain brands of laptops on the plane. Safety always comes first for us," a Korean Air spokesperson told the publication; the airline said it was unsure when the ban would be lifted; however, a similar ban was instituted last month by Australia’s Quantas. While both airlines prohibit all models of Dell laptops and Apple’s Powerbook and iBook series, users can still carry-on laptops if they separate the batteries into checked baggage, according to the report.
Charging
09/05, 07:47pm reply
It's only a risk when charging. If there's no charging involved (like in Qantas economy) then there's no risk. Do Korean offer charging in every seat?
beeble
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2004
How can they tell????
09/05, 09:52pm reply
What about those of us who've already received replacement batteries??? They'll ban us too?
SRP
sparker
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2004
Re: charging
09/05, 09:56pm reply
Well, prior to a week or two ago, people were talking that apple laptops didn't have any fire hazard issue at all. Now its 'only' when charging. Who's to say how someone might be charging their laptop (they check for shampoo, but are they really checking for gas-powered portable generators?????). And whose to say it only will happen when its charging? Who knows how this thing will end up being.
BTW, when it comes to air travel and risks of fire, I'd rather play it safe then sorry too.
LouZer
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2000
safety first at korean?
09/05, 10:12pm reply
that is a laugh.
this coming from the airline that almost lost it's certification to fly to the freaking united states due to it's multitude of safety lapses ending in tremendous loss of life.
delta dropped it's partnership with them at one point because of it.
and frankly, i'd never step foot on one of their planes, because batteries are the last thing people should worry about on korean air.
zl9600
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2003
Sony
09/05, 10:54pm reply
What's with Sony and those burning batteries? Many years ago, it was the new Li-Ion battery for the PowerBook 5300 (remember it's reputation for catching fire?) that was scrapped, now years later, they've still not gotten them right…
http://lowendmac.com/misc/06/0828.html
ccsccs7
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2001
It’s Qantas!
09/06, 10:31am reply
Hey, MacNN, it’s Qantas, not "Quantas"!?
If they are going to ban Macs, they may as well ban everything with a battery in it. My PowerBook isn't effected by this recall, but they are going to ban that too? Will they ban my 5300, which doesn't even have a Li-Ion battery!?
Clive
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2001
Korean Air
09/06, 12:21pm reply
Though their reputation for poor safety still lingers, they've come a long way since the 80's and late-90's when that reputation was well-deserved. Since the 1999 crash of a cargo plane in Shanghai there was a mass resignation of 30-some senior executives, and a huge shift to throw the unhealthy patriarchal cockpit culture that contributed to a number of the crashes. (The captain was considered infallable.)
Over the past 6 years, have upgraded most of their fleet over, and I happily fly them on trans-Pacific flights, even when not traveling to Korea. They're still no Singapore Airlines, but they do a great job. service-wise. And the Korean food they serve on the plane is pretty damn good.
To keep this on-topic, seems they're talking about Powerbooks. I wonder if they'll be able to distinguish Macbook Pros from Powerbooks.
broohaha22
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Joined: Jul 2006