As of October 15, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has made it illegal to transport Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices on all commercial and cargo aircrafts. Travelers are no longer allowed to carry the device on their person, in carry-on baggage, or in checked baggage on flights to, from, or within the United States. The decision came after nearly 100 cases of the phones overheating and catching fire, sometimes injuring owners. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) had previously urged travelers not to use or charge their Galaxy Note 7 devices while flying; however, the DOT has taken it further. Travelers caught in possession of the device may be denied boarding and could face fines and criminal prosecution.
International carriers Lufthansa and Alitalia have also banned the Galaxy Note 7 on all of their flights. Previously, the two airlines banned them on flights to the United States; however, the new ban encompasses all flights operated by the airlines.
In an effort to help travelers caught off guard by the new rules, Samsung has set up booths at major international airports across the US, Canada, Australia, and Asia for travelers to exchange their phones before passing through security. Samsung is also assisting fliers with transferring their data to the new devices. Samsung has ceased production on all Galaxy Note 7 devices and has urged users to trade in their phones for a different model.
While there have not been any reported cases of the Galaxy Note 7 catching fire on board a train, as a precaution, Amtrak has also asked passengers to follow Samsungโs instructions and has requested all passengers power off the device onboard trains and in stations.