All Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones banned from US air travel

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued an emergency order on Friday banning Samsung's recalled Galaxy Note 7 device from air travel in the U.S.

Starting on Saturday at noon EDT, phones cannot be taken in on passengers' person, in carry- baggage, as air cargo or in checked baggage on flights to, from, or within the United States, the Transportation Department said in a statement. More than 1 million of the phones have been recalled in the U.S. after reports of batteries overheating and catching fire.

If an airline representative spots one of the now-discontinued Note 7 phones, passengers may be denied boarding until they get rid of the phone, the statement said. A packed phone may be confiscated and passengers may face fines or even criminal prosecution, the statement said.

"We recognize 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 in a statement.