Flyers and Middle East Airlines Cope With Electronics Bans — Skift Business Traveler

What to Know Now

Middle East travel was thrown into disarray early last week when the U.S. and UK suddenly announced a broad electronics ban on direct flights from the region. Affecting only Middle Eastern carriers into North America (no U.S. carrier offers direct service to the area), the ban went into place on Friday and covered all electronics larger than a smartphone carried into the cabin — effectively forcing travelers to check laptops and tablets into the cargo hold.

Few details have been released about the reason for the ban, but in the meantime, airlines are doing their best to cope with the changes, from helping box up electronics at airport gates to using the opportunity to talk up their in-flight entertainment.

There’s no word on how long the ban will last, but one thing is very clear: The current situation is not tenable.

Social Quote of the Day

UK updating #ElectronicsBan to now include peripherals — batteries, power cables, etc. Also includes phone power bricks? #PaxEx

– @thatjohn | John Walton, Airline & aviation journalist with @RunwayGirl

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TECH

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Your Turn

The Skift Podcast is back with another episode on why your airplane tickets are so cheap. Check it out here.

Tips and Comments

Can be sent to gm[at]skift[dot]com or to @grantkmartin

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