Korean Air bans Dell and Apple laptop batteries

In an effort to avoid unintended explosions on flights, Korean Air has banned several laptops from use onboard their planes.

The Korean Air advisory was issued on Aug. 30.

The advisory says that passengers are prohibited from operating Dell laptops on board Korean Air flights. People may still carry them on board if they first remove the battery from the laptop. The ban includes all Dell laptops, regardless of whether the model or battery is part of the official recall.

The advisory also requires passengers to remove the batteries from Apple iBook and PowerBook laptops before bringing them onboard a Korean Air planes. Korean Air did not specify whether passengers are also prohibited from using Apple laptops with an external power source, and the company was not immediately available for comment on this.

Qantas, the Australian airline, announced a similar policy in mid-August. Qantas passengers are allowed, however, to use laptops plugged into an external power source if they have removed the battery.

Both the Korean Air and Qantas bans are in response to recalls of Sony batteries in some Dell and Apple Computer laptops that have been reported to explode while in use.

The Korean Air ban will remain in place "until further advisory is issued," according to the company.