Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones banned from planes

There have been numerous reports of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smoking or catching fire. Credit: Reuters

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones are to be banned from aircraft in the US following numerous reports of the devices catching fire.

The emergency order will come into force at noon (4pm GMT) on Saturday.

The electronics giant scrapped the phone on Tuesday due to incidents where the phones began smoking or caught fire.

The decision came after reports of fires in replacement devices prompted a new round of warnings from regulators, phone carriers and airlines.

The order prohibits owners from taking the phones on planes or even stowing them in baggage during flights.

"We recognise that banning these phones from airlines will inconvenience some passengers, but the safety of all those aboard an aircraft must take priority," said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.

"We are taking this additional step because even one fire incident inflight poses a high risk of severe personal injury and puts many lives at risk."

Anyone who violates the ban may be subject to criminal prosecution and fines, the Transportation Department added.