Virgin bans Dell, Apple batteries on flights

Hoo boy, the fun just doesn't end with this little Sony/Dell/Apple battery fiasco, does it? Virgin Atlantic is now the third airline to take issue with Sony's exploding batteries, and is playing it safe by requiring the removal of batteries from all Inspiron, Latitude, iBook, PowerBook, MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops. Of course, that includes a wide swath of laptops that aren't affected at all by the recall, but them's the breaks. Virgin was gracious enough to allow laptop use without a battery -- if you're lucky enough to sit close enough to an in-seat power supply -- but otherwise users of two of the most popular brands in laptops had better bring a book or prepare to acquaint themselves well with a few in-flight magazines.

[Silver R. Wolfe @ Sep 15th 2006 8:47AM]

What about older laptops that use Nimh batteries?

[Tony DeRymer @ Sep 15th 2006 8:50AM]

What are you supposed to do with the battery? Can you place it in the hold or do you have to hand it in at the airport (if so how the hell do you get it back!)...

[Defpol @ Sep 15th 2006 8:52AM]

I was recently on a Virgin flight from SFO to LHR. I was told going through security (twice) that I was allowed to bring my 15" Apple Powerbook aboard the flight but was not allowed to turn it on. I witnessed other Apple computer toting travelers receive the same message, some were, in fact, asked to remove their batteries and check them. I got lucky. Great, I thought, I don't have to worry about checking my battery! I walked down to my seat and sat down. Before we even took off I looked to my right at the center isle of seats. Can you guess what I saw? Three, count 'em, three people with various Apple computers, an iBook, MacBook Pro, and a Powerbook, open and typing away to their hearts content. As soon as Apple issued the recall I checked my battery, I was OK. I assume that the others did as well. I'd just like to see some consistency with these new regulations. I think it's ridiculous in the first place, but none-the-less. If you are going to ban something, make sure it's banned. And don't ban something that's not a real threat!

Just my 2¢...

[daub815 @ Sep 15th 2006 9:11AM]

Is there an official press release besides hearsay? I don't always believe what The Register has to say.

[newswede @ Sep 15th 2006 9:29AM]

Absolutely, fantastically stupid. For these airlines (such as Virgin) whose life revolves around business travelers, they are well on their way to having all their business redirected to a service who can serve their puropse.

Attendant: "I'm sorry Mr. Ive, you are going to have to check that in the hold (where it won't be insured)."

Mr. Ive: "But I have to work on this flight, that's why I paid $5k, so I can get my day's job done and be relaxed while getting where I need to go"

Attendant: Sorry Sir

Mr Ive: My company will never fly this airline again.

Attendant: We're gonna need that bottle of water too.

It's time we stood up for ourselves! The musicians did it and can now bring their instruments onboard. A small step for man...

[flipper @ Sep 15th 2006 9:40AM]

Virgin are muppets.

[shirizaki @ Sep 15th 2006 10:05AM]

Only a matter of time before all laptops are banned. Then it's going to be electronics. Then no one will want to fly.


TRAINS!

[rdrr @ Sep 15th 2006 10:09AM]

According to Apple the MacBook is not affected by the recall, it is only some 15" MacBook Pros, G4 iBooks, and PowerBooks. I would be nice if Virgin could get the models straight. What about all the Sony laptops that use the SONY batteries that are the cause of the problem?

[Rob @ Sep 15th 2006 10:23AM]

I have never read that the referenced batteries will only combust when connected to a computer. I have also never read that the area of the plane that holds the luggage is impervious to fire. Can someone straighten me out?

[newswede @ Sep 15th 2006 10:30AM]

Rob, You are right about that.

[aeo @ Sep 15th 2006 10:59AM]

Rob,

Theoretically, if the airlines utilized Hardened Unit Load Devices (HULDs) which are basically blast resistant luggage containers, the electronics would not destroy anything but the items within the HULD with the detonating device. However, HULDs are fairly new and not yet propagated throughout the airline industry so your comment still stands in general I think.

[Manatee @ Sep 15th 2006 11:03AM]

Rob, it doesn't matter to the airline if the airplane catches fire or explodes. They just want to ensure that you don't have use of your computer. ;-)

[Gamey McGee @ Sep 15th 2006 11:14AM]

So not only is my girlfriend's lipstick banned for being ... um ... completely f'ing harmless, but now my laptop can't be used on a number of airlines. The best part is that my laptop is COMPLETELY UNEFFECTED by the battery explosion, but because it's a MacBook Pro, these idiots decide to ban all of them.

I know what you're thinking. They can't be expected to look at serial numbers, can they? Yes, they can. Because they will loose more money in ticket sales when business people no longer put up with this bullsh*t.

[SASniper @ Sep 15th 2006 11:16AM]

Burns in cabin, burns in hold ... still burns. What's the difference (a few HULD's aside)?

Stupid restriction.

Has there ever been a case of one burning on a plane?

Next thing you know you'll be having to use their 'proprietary' on-board system which does internet, movies, phone, music and games all for the cheap cheap price of $4.99 a minute :P

[PMX @ Sep 15th 2006 11:17AM]

Exactly, the MacBook battery is NOT the same as the MacBook Pro, and it's not affected by the recall. This is stupid.

[aws910 @ Sep 15th 2006 11:22AM]

I've already made the switch to trains. It's great - each seat has an honest-to-goodness 120V outlet, the seats are (almost) as wide/soft as first-class airline accomodations, and there's a snack bar - so you can eat/drink whatever you'd like. You can bring your food/drink/cosmetics without hassle, there aren't big long lines to wait in, and you usually don't have anyone sitting next to you. When you figure in the hassle of arriving at the airport "two hours early" so they can make you take off your shoes and belt, the time advantage of flying is reduced. In many ways, traveling by train is less stressful than flying, and it costs a lot less too.

Of course, if you want to go LAX-CDG, you might as well bite the bullet and take a plane. But for medium-range trips, trains are very nice - much easier than driving, that's for sure. If they had Eurostar/TGV-style trains here in the states, I probably wouldn't fly again.

[DrThaddeusVenture @ Sep 15th 2006 11:41AM]

Think about it, you have thousands of people going through security and you want them to determine if you have a battery that is or is not on the list. Never going to happen Mcgee. The lawsuit from one downed plane caused by a fire would easily cost many times more than the few people who decide not to fly.

The safest thing for them to do is have you put your Apple or Dell notebooks with checked luggage. Without a load on the battery it's pretty darned unlikely it could catch fire.

[Carl @ Sep 15th 2006 11:47AM]

This country (the US that is) definitely needs to get some crazy bullet trains. It'll stop people from taking road trips, lower airport security lines, and let TSA be more scrutinous on real threats if they do occur (because,in theory, people will use trains if they do not absolutely have to use planes, so crowds will not be as heavy at airports) Plus, an electric train would be much less dependent on oil. BTW that last comment wasn't me being a hippie, flamers, just me having common sense.

[Wry Cooter @ Sep 15th 2006 12:00PM]

Yep, this is all about weaning us from gas guzzling air travel.

Mass transit on the ground is a tough sell.

[bloodnok @ Sep 15th 2006 12:04PM]

hope the airlines that are banning laptops are willing to re-ticket you on an airline that isn't, 'cause i'm not leaving my computer in check-in baggage (nor will i fly with them).

gotta agree with carl on the bullet train idea, but they need to get some transatlantic/transpacific ones going so we can stop bloody flying ...

[Jack Frost @ Sep 15th 2006 12:18PM]

Trains. Hah.

So when are they going to start the transatlantic railroad?

[Aaron @ Sep 15th 2006 12:37PM]

I'm sorry, did I miss something? It's my understanding that the batteries only combust when being CHARGED. So why don't they allow laptops but not allow people to use the onboard charging ports?

[icerabbit @ Sep 15th 2006 12:56PM]

Just what we all need in this economy and difficult times for the airline industry: Banning every laptop ever made by manufacturer XYZ. Whether they have the problematic battery or not. I checked the recall details and based on my SN, mine is not affected.

What's next? No cameras? As there have been issues with 3rd party replacement batteries.

I certainly would not and do not hand over my notebook nor my camera bag. They tried that once with a tiny commuter jet. Sorry. To go in checked luggage? You've got to be kidding me! Knowing how luggage gets tossed, handled & inspected ... there is no way I would check my laptop bag. Not even at the gate. And, the airline staff knows better. You can't tell me they've never seen luggage tossed & smacked & dropped several feet, piled up n feet high, etc. We've had multiple instances of damaged luggage & content due to improper handling and even lost some items due to theft.

If I am not allowed to use electronic item X system during the flight, so be it, but they better allow passengers to keep eye contact with their notebooks & camera gear.

[YoYoPa @ Sep 15th 2006 1:20PM]

must suck to have bought a laptop that uses cheap parts. Oh well, u get what u pay for.

[snife @ Sep 15th 2006 1:34PM]

I thought they had already started work on a transatlantic trainline - i'm sure i read somewhere that it was under the sea and is based around being a vacuum to achieve mega speeds

[Rand @ Sep 15th 2006 1:37PM]

From the Virgin-Atlantic website.

"As a result of the current problems being experienced by the Apple and Dell Corporations with some of the batteries fitted to some of their laptops, as a safety precaution and with immediate effect, customers wanting to use an Apple or Dell laptop on board can only do so if the battery is removed. Any removed or spare batteries must be individually wrapped/protected and placed in your Carry On Baggage. This is limited to two batteries per passenger.

In cabins where the seats are fitted with In Seat Power Supplies, leads/adapters will be offered. Where no ISPS is provided or no laptop leads/adapters are available, the use of Apple and Dell laptops is prohibited.

Virgin is in communication with Apple and Dell. As soon as this safety issue is resolved these restrictions will be lifted."

[Jake @ Sep 15th 2006 1:40PM]

Your comments: I signed up for the battery recall list from apple and have already received my new battery and sent in my old one.... anybody here still waiting to get the new battery?

[Rand @ Sep 15th 2006 2:12PM]

Yep, still waiting. I sent in the request on the first day the site opened.

[Oddmanout @ Sep 15th 2006 2:22PM]

"They are trying to implement a bill that will not allow any type of electronic device onboard. "

And if that happens, you can bet the next new advancement in in-flight entertainment will be a coin slot next to the lcd mounted in your seat...

Pfff..."coin slot". What century am I living in? Make that a note slot, and mag-strip reader...and a bill to match...

[cornloaf @ Sep 15th 2006 2:35PM]

Hey Aeo,

The HULDs have been around for a very long time. They demonstrated them right after the TWA flight 800 exploded off the coast the US in 1996. For awhile they thought it was a bomb and instituted all these extra restrictions for cargo at the time (FAA Certified shipper, etc.) and there were quite a few demonstations of the LD3s and LD7s that were made of composite materials that would absorb the explosion. Since they already had prototypes in 1996, they must have been in development for some time already. El Al probably uses them already for all we know...

[Chris @ Sep 15th 2006 3:03PM]

I just got my first Dell Latitude replacement batteries this week. So even though I fixed the potential problem, I wouldn't be able to use the battery.

Basically they will need to start checking battery serial #s once the replacements start hitting the streets. Otherwise it is a silly ban.

[GadgetGav @ Sep 15th 2006 5:59PM]

Not only are the MBP batteries not affected by the exploding battery recall, they use COMPLETELY different technology. It's like banning Nissans from the road because Ford issues a recall. Li-ion vs Li-polymer.

[Lucas @ Sep 15th 2006 6:56PM]

Come on! MacBooks and MacBookPros don't even use the same battery TECHNOLOGY as the G4 laptops did! Lithium Polymer is stored in a solid brick rather than an ionized liquid (like lithium ION, the problematic one) and is completely non-flammable and non-combustable. It literally can't burn or explode. it CAN NOT. I just hate it when people make decisions based off incomplete or incorrect information.

-Lucas

[clintb @ Sep 15th 2006 11:39PM]

Per some of the comments above, I'm wondering when air travellers will start to shun air transportation. It's getting rediculous, almost to the point of assinine in how every little thing is getting banned. I will not put my computer in the hold and the only way I'll check luggage is with a hard-sided roller type. Sometimes, I don't need or want to carry the roller and only need the smaller day bag. I'm not checking that, no way! And WTF is up with not being able to bring water with you? Basic human need...hello? With all the bullshit, I'll just start driving more. F the airlines and the TSA...buch of reject security guards.

[claudeo @ Sep 16th 2006 4:40PM]

Well, trains are not an option across the Atlantic. In any case, it seems that the problem can arise if the battery is not installed in a computer -- basically, it seems to happen as a result of jostling or shock, which causes some debris to move inside the battery and cause a short. There is a tremendous amount of energy in those batteries, and if that energy goes into a short circuit the heat generated is spectacular. Today's Thinkpad battery fire at LAX is not going to help reassure people.
As for putting computers in checked baggage, it has been long overdue for airlines to take full responsibility for the goods that are entrusted to them. Even wors, however, is the fact that a case that gives sufficient protection for a computer to be checked in will basically force you to exceed the weight allowance on most airlines outside the USA--and you could easily spend as much or more than the price of your ticket to buy the extra allowance, when it is even possible.

[richard nixon @ Sep 19th 2006 1:13PM]

?? so Sony only shipped exploding batteries to Apple and Dell and didn't use them in their own laptops ???

was that deliberate of just coincidence ??

[James @ Oct 5th 2006 3:58AM]

I didn't bring my 17" PowerBook on a recent flight from Dublin to New York because it was just after the 'gel bomb' scare in Heathrow and I was worried they wouldn't let me take it (turns out I could have. Doh!) but I did manage to bring a vile of cologne in my carry-on that could have easily been filled with something more lethal.