Airline Grounds Samsung Galaxy Note 7 After Explosions Recall

Advertisement
By Agence France-Presse | Updated: 8 September 2016 10:01 IST

Australian carrier Qantas told customers on Thursday not to use or charge Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 during flights after faulty batteries in the new smartphone caused some handsets to explode.

Samsung, the world's largest smartphone maker, said last week it was suspending sales of its latest flagship mobile device and recalling 2.5 million units shipped globally following reports of exploding "phablets" that dealt a heavy blow to the firm's reputation.

"Following Samsung Australia's recall of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Personal Electronic Device (PED), we are requesting that passengers who own them do not switch on or charge them inflight," a Qantas spokesman said in a statement.

Advertisement

(Also see:  Halt and Catch Fire: Battery Woes Go Well Beyond Samsung)

The request applies to domestic and international flights as well as Qantas' discount carrier Jetstar, the spokesman added.

Qantas' domestic competitor Virgin Australia was not immediately available for comment.

In 2014, Qantas and Virgin Australia allowed passengers to use mobile electronic devices in-flight with limited restrictions after a relaxation of the rules by the country's aviation authority.

Advertisement

 

Previous regulations banned their use during taxiing, take-off and landing due to fears they could interfere with the plane's navigation equipment.

Advertisement

Samsung's recall - the first for one of the South Korean electronics giant's top of the range phones - came a week before arch-rival Apple unveiled its iPhone 7 on Wednesday.

Advertisement

(Also see:  iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus Launch: 10 Big Announcements)

Samsung's mobile business chief Koh Dong-Jin had said the faulty rate amounted to 24 handsets per each million sold and that it would take about two weeks to prepare replacements.

 

Catch the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show on Gadgets 360, at our CES 2026 hub.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Avatar: Fire and Ash OTT Release: When, Where to Watch the Sci-Fi Fantasy
  2. Artemis II Rocket Heads to the Pad Ahead of Historic Crewed Moon Flight
  3. OpenAI Has Officially Confirmed Ads Are Coming to ChatGPT
  4. Shambhala OTT Release: When, Where to Watch the Telugu Supernatural Horror
  1. NASA Pulls Out Artemis II Rocket to Launch Pad Ahead of Historic Moon Mission
  2. Shambhala OTT Release: When, Where to Watch the Telugu Supernatural Horror Film
  3. AGS 28 OTT Release: Know Where to Watch This Tamil Entertainer Starring Arjun, Abhirami
  4. Avatar: Fire and Ash OTT Release: When, Where to Watch James Cameron’s Epic Sci-Fi Fantasy
  5. OpenAI to Begin Testing Ads in ChatGPT, Says Responses Will Not Be Influenced
  6. Gurram Paapi Reddy OTT Release: When, Where to Watch This Telugu Crime Comedy Thriller
  7. Hypothetical ‘Dark Stars’ Could Rewrite Early Cosmic History, Research Suggests
  8. Honor Magic 8 Pro Air Key Features Confirmed; Company Teases External Lens for Honor Magic 8 RSR Porsche Design
  9. Lava Blaze Duo 3 India Launch Date Announced; Colour Options Teased Ahead of Debut
  10. Resident Evil Requiem Gets New Leon Gameplay at Resident Evil Showcase
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.