Apple MacBook Pro recall and air travel
16 Oct 2019
Certain models of Apple’s MacBook Pro laptop have been banned from air travel by some airlines.
University staff and students that have a MacBook Pro are advised by IT Services to check with their airline before they travel if they intend to take it with them on a flight, either as checked baggage or inside carry-on luggage.
The ban is because Apple has determined that, in a limited number of older generation 15-inch MacBook Pro units, the battery may overheat and pose a fire safety risk. Affected units were sold primarily between September 2015 and February 2017 and product eligibility is determined by the product serial number.
Different airlines have different policies – and some have banned MacBooks altogether – therefore you must check with them before you travel. You can also check by contacting Key Travel, the University’s travel management partner.
If you are out of the country and have no choice but to attempt to travel with an affected MacBook, then you need to make arrangements to secure the device and any data on it – especially if this is personal or confidential data from the University. Contact the Information Governance Office to make sure you know what to do.
- Call +44 (0) 161 275 7789 or email information.governance@manchester.ac.uk
You can check if your MacBook is affected by visiting the Apple website and entering the serial number:
If your MacBook is University owned, and affected by the recall, you should call the IT Support Centre to seek advice on what steps to take.