Virgin Atlantic Flying Club - VS Bans laptop batteries on flights




ramraideruk
Sep 19, 06, 2:19 am
Hi everyone,
I thought you may want to read this, from the BBC website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/5355454.stm


Virgin bans 'fire hazard' laptops
Virgin Atlantic jet, AFP
Virgin is the third airline to limit use of Dell and Apple laptops
Apple and Dell laptop owners travelling on Virgin Atlantic international flights are being asked to remove the gadget's batteries before take-off.

This will limit laptop use as the majority of seats on Virgin jets are not fitted with power sockets.

The decision comes in the wake of reports that some laptop batteries could be a fire hazard.

It brings to three the number of airlines that have placed restrictions on Dell and Apple laptops.

Charge code

In mid-August Dell announced a recall of more than 4m laptop batteries made by Sony. A manufacturing fault had made some machines using these batteries catch fire.

In late August Apple recalled 1.8m batteries also made by Sony also thought to be a fire-risk.

Following the recalls, Virgin Atlantic has said passengers taking any Dell or Apple laptop on to its international flights can only use it during the journey with the battery removed.

The removed batteries must be wrapped up and protected and placed in carry-on baggage. Each passenger can only take on board two batteries.

All seats in Virgin's Upper Class sections are supplied with power sockets allowing travellers in these cabins to plug in their laptop. Also some seats in Premium Economy in some newer Virgin aircraft also have power supplies. In seats where there is no socket, laptop use is banned.

"Virgin is in communication with Apple and Dell. As soon as this safety issue is resolved these restrictions will be lifted," said the airline in its statement announcing the policy.

The decision means that three airlines, Virgin, Qantas and Korean Air, restrict the use of these laptops.


slippahs
Sep 19, 06, 2:25 am
I'm glad none of the carriers based in N. America have yet to institute this stupid ban.

However, you might want to edit the title of your thread, as it seems that all laptop batteries have been banned, rather than just those of Dell/Apple [saying this as I consider purchasing a Dell laptop...]

KenJohn
Sep 19, 06, 2:59 pm
The announcement is burried half way down in the depths of the Virgin website (http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/passengerinformation/latestnews/index.jsp)


stc
Sep 20, 06, 5:34 am
I'm glad none of the carriers based in N. America have yet to institute this stupid ban.

However, you might want to edit the title of your thread, as it seems that all laptop batteries have been banned, rather than just those of Dell/Apple [saying this as I consider purchasing a Dell laptop...]

Especially since my Dell laptop battery is not one of the one involved.

Virgin continues to amaze me for its poor customer service. After the hassles of getting a refund for full fare refundable premimiun economy, I think I'll stick to American.

HRGM
Sep 22, 06, 10:02 am
and even if the laptop model is one of the ones involved, there is no way to verify (short of looking at serial numbers) if the battery has already been replaced!



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