Emirates Launches Laptop and Tablet Handling Service for US Flights

Emirates has announced that passengers travelling to the US via Dubai will be able to utilise their laptops and tablet devices on the first part of their journeys, and also during transit in Dubai.

They must then declare and hand over their laptops, tablets, and other banned electronic devices to security staff at the gate just before boarding their US-bound flight. The devices will be packed into boxes, loaded into the aircraft hold, and returned to the customer at their US destination. There will not be any charge for this service.

Passengers on US-bound flights starting their journeys in Dubai are encouraged to pack their electronic devices into their check-in luggage in the first instance, to avoid delays.

Customers should be aware that there will also be a detailed search of all hand baggage on non-stop flights to the US from Dubai. They should therefore declare their devices before the search, or ensure their electronic devices are packed into their check-in luggage in the first instance.

“Our aim is to ensure compliance with the new rules, while minimising disruption to passenger flow and impact on customer experience. Our new complimentary service enables passengers, particularly those flying for business, to have the flexibility to use their devices until the last possible moment,” said Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline. “Once on board they can still stay connected on their mobile phones. Our historical data shows that on Emirates’ US flights, 90% of passengers using our onboard mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity services do so via their smart phones. Only 6% connect via their laptops, and 4% via their tablets. That is not to say that other passengers are not using their devices offline, but perhaps the silver  lining to this is that they can now justifiably give themselves a break from their devices, enjoy our onboard service and catch up on the latest movies, music, and TV box sets that we have on offer.”

From Saturday, 25 March 2017, travellers on non-stop flights to the US from Dubai International airport (DXB) are not allowed to carry any electronic device larger than a cell phone or smartphone, excluding medical devices, into the aircraft cabin. Travellers must pack these electronic devices in their checked-in baggage.

This new security directive, issued by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), applies to all passengers travelling on non-stop flights to the US from Dubai, including those in transit. It does not apply to passengers travelling on Emirates’ US-bound flights via Milan and Athens, or Emirates flights to/from any other destination.

See also: The topic of the laptop ban came up during the WTTC Global Summit 2017 session with Tony Fernandes (AirAsia) and Gary Chapman (Emirates), IATA Questions New US and UK Security Measures, Qatar Airways Offers Free Laptop Loan; Cuts Wi-Fi Price to US$5, Turkish Airlines Offering Laptops to US and UK Bound Passengers, Emirates Launches Laptop and Tablet Handling Service for US Flights and United Airlines Employees Rally to Protect U.S. Aviation Jobs.

See latest HD Video Interviews, Podcasts and other news regarding: Emirates, Security.