If you own a 2015 Apple MacBook Pro, you might want to think twice before boarding a flight with your laptop. The device, which has been plagued with faulty battery issues, has been banned on flights by the U.S. aviation watchdog, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

If you want to carry one on a flight to the US, you might want to avail a free battery replacement offered by Apple. The FAA has banned the model, with a special focus on those sold between September 2015 – February 2017.

Apple had issued a recall for the device in June this year stating that the laptops' batteries could pose a safety risk due to overheating.

FAA has been on its toes regarding faulty devices since 2017's Samsung Galaxy Note 7 crisis when a couple of Note 7 devices gave off smoke and even led to the emergency landing of flights.

Apple
The Apple logo is seen on the building of an Apple store in Beijing on January 4, 2019. (Photo: NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/Getty Images)

In a statement to Bloomberg, the aviation watchdog said that it was aware that despite the recall, some faulty batteries were still in use. It further stated that the devices should not be allowed in in-flight cargo or cabin luggage. Four international airlines — TUI Group Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines, Air Italy and Air Transat — have already issued internal advisory regarding the device.

"Please note that the 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro laptop, sold between mid-2015 to February-2017 is prohibited onboard any of our mandate carriers," a circular to employees for Total Cargo Expertise (TCE), which manages cargo operations for the four airlines stated.

Furthermore, an advisory has also been issued to flight attendants and airport staff to make announcements regarding the device before takeoff.

In case, you have already sought battery replacement, you will not be impacted.

Apple has also put out a statement on its website: "Customer safety is always Apple's top priority, and we have voluntarily decided to replace affected batteries, free of charge," the company has stated.

In case you have the 2015 model of the MacBook Pro, it is advisable to go to the nearest Apple store and get it checked.