Emirates Bans Electronic Devices on US-bound flights

laptop ban emirates us flights

To all passengers travelling to the US, be advised that electronic devices other than smartphones are not allowed to be hand-carried in Emirates airline flights. These devices, which includes laptops and tablets, should be checked in your baggages.

This directive takes effect from 25th March to 14th October 2017 and is applicable to all US-bound passengers from the Dubai International Airport, whether flying direct or in transit from another destination. The airlines is advising their passengers to pack these electronics bigger than a cellphone/smartphone in their checked-in baggage.

laptop ban emirates us flights
Laptops and other electronic devices other than smartphones) should be checked-in.

Electronic Devices Bigger than Smartphones Banned in US Flights

Emirates can confirm that as per the new security directive issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), electronic devices larger than a cell phone/smart phone, excluding medical devices, cannot be carried in the cabin of the aircraft.

Reason for the Laptop and Gadget Ban

An article from Time Magazine asks aviation security experts about the reason for this electronics ban. They share that this TSA directive was set up to enhance security procedures for passengers.  “Checking electronic devices subjects them to a different screening process and removes them from passengers for the duration of the flight.” says counterterrorism expert Bennet Water

Flights to the USA from Dubai may take a minimum of 13 hours and passengers use these laptops/tablets for various reasons (business and/or entertainment) so this will be an inconvenience to a lot of them.

Countries Affected in Electronics Ban

Airlines flying from 10 airports in 8 countries are prohibited from bringing electronic devices into the cabin. Below is a list of countries affected in this ban.

  1. Egypt – Cairo
  2. Jordan – Amman
  3. Kuwait – Kuwait City
  4. Morocco – Casablanca
  5. Qatar – Doha
  6. Saudi Arabia – Jeddah and Riyadh
  7. Turkey – Istanbul
  8. United Arab Emirates – Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Emirates airline responds to US Government’s laptop Ban

In a recent tweet from Emirates airline, the company has responded to the US government’s laptop ban with a video. “Who needs tablets and laptops anyway?” Emirates shared in a video below

UK Follows Electronics Ban
The United Kingdom followed USA by announcing a similar ban on certain electronic devices, although in selected flights from six countries instead of 8. Here’s a report from Telegraph UK about it. Britain bans electronic devices on flights from six Middle Eastern nations amid terror threat | Telegraph UK