Some MacBooks banned from flights in case they overheat and catch fire

Affected computers can be sent back to Apple

An Apple employee points to the Touch Bar on a new Apple MacBook Pro laptop during a product launch event (Stephen Lam/Getty Images)

Some MacBooks have been banned from flights amid fears they could catch fire.

The computers will not be allowed on planes because they can overheat and endanger people on planes, according to the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Airlines have already been alerted to the problems and so the affected laptops will not be allowed on flights.

"The FAA is aware of the recalled batteries that are used in some Apple MacBook Pro laptops," the agency's spokesman said in an emailed statement on Monday, adding that the agency has "alerted airlines about the recall."

A limited number of Apple's 15-inch MacBook units are affected by the problems.

The company has already announced a recall programme for the same laptops, allowing anyone with one to have it replaced for free. It covers 15-inch MacBook Pro units that were sold between September 2015 and February 2017.

Apple warned in June that those computers could overheat and potentially cause a fire risk. It told people to stop using the computers immediately.

"Apple today announced a voluntary recall of a limited number of older generation 15-inch MacBook Pro units which contain a battery that may overheat and pose a safety risk," the company said in an urgent note to customers at the time.

"The units were sold primarily between September 2015 and February 2017 and can be identified by their product serial number.

"The recall does not affect any other 15-inch MacBook Pro units or other Mac notebooks. Because customer safety is a top priority, Apple is asking customers to stop using affected 15-inch MacBook Pro units."

It told people to head to a special website where they can check whether their computer is affected.