Singapore Airlines bans use of Galaxy Note7s onboard its planes

SINGAPORE — National carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) has become the latest airline to ban the use and charging of Samsung Galaxy Note7s onboard its plane, following similar moves by three Australian airlines.

“The powering up and charging of Samsung Galaxy Note7 mobile phones is prohibited on all our flights,” SIA said in a statement on Friday (Sept 9). Spokespersons for SilkAir, Tigerair and Scoot, all subsidiaries of SIA, also confirmed to TODAY that the ban has applied to their flights too.

On Thursday, Australia’s Qantas Airways, Jetstar Airways and Virgin Australia announced they had banned passengers from using or charging the Note7 on their planes, after the South Korean manufacturer announced last week it was recalling all of its Note 7 smartphones that had batteries prone to catching fire. 

A spokesperson for Jetstar Asia confirmed to TODAY that the ban on the Note7 also covered its flights. "For customers in possession of a Samsung Galaxy Note7, use of and charging of the phone on board the aircraft is not permitted. The phone needs to remain off the entire flight and is not switched on again until the passenger enters the airport terminal," the spokesperson said.

On Saturday, AirAsia also said it was prohibiting the use of the Note 7 on all its flight, including on AirAsia X, with immediate effect.

"All guests travelling on AirAsia and AirAsia X who owns the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 device must turn it off until disembarkation from the aircraft. The device must not be kept in any checked baggage as
well," said an AirAsia statement.

"Guests may approach any AirAsia and AirAsia X ground staff for further information about this new guideline with regards to the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 device." 

The US Federal Aviation Administration also issued an advisory on Thursday urging airline passengers not to turn on or charge their Note7 smartphones during flights or stow them in checked baggage due to concerns over the phone’s fire-prone batteries.

In a statement, the FAA said it “strongly advises” passengers to follow its guidance “in light of recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note7 devices”.

On Tuesday, Samsung Electronics Singapore announced that it would replace all Galaxy Note 7s purchased at authorised outlets here.

From Sept 16 to Oct 2, customers who have purchased a Galaxy Note7 from any local telecommunication operators, major consumer electronics stores, authorised mobile retailers, Samsung Experience Stores and Samsung Lazada Singapore Online Store can exchange their current device for a new one in the same colour at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre or via free home delivery.

Consumers are required to submit their preferred collection time slot online at www.samsung.com/sg/note7exchange within the booking period of Sept 9 to Sept 25.

Galaxy Note7 customers who participate in the exchange programme will also have the warranty period on their device extended to start from the date of the exchange. In the meantime, courtesy devices are available for loan to Galaxy Note7 customers (subject to stock availability), while they wait for their exchange. WITH AGENCIES