The three major Gulf carriers -- Qatar Airways, Etihad and Emirates -- are developing workarounds to ease the pain and annoyance of the US Department of Homeland Security’s ban on large electronic devices in passenger cabins on some flights.
The DHS decreed, much to the annoyance of airlines, that all devices larger than a cellphone must be checked on nonstop flights to the US from 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa.
The UK followed with a similar ban but did not include airports in Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the three airlines’ home countries.
Mindful of their dependence on international business travelers, the three airlines are looking for ways to keep them happy in the face of the ban.
Qatar Airways is offering a laptop loan service at no charge to its business class passengers on all US-bound flights.
Qatar Airways also is providing one hour of free Wi-Fi for all passengers, including those in economy. and a special Wi-Fi package of US$5 to stay connected for the duration of the whole flight.
Beginning April 2, Etihad will offer free iPad loaners to first and business class passengers on US-bound flights.
The three major Gulf carriers -- Qatar Airways, Etihad and Emirates --are developing workarounds to ease the pain and annoyance of the US Department of Homeland Security’s ban on large electronic devices in passenger cabins on some flights.
The DHS decreed that all devices larger than a cellphone must be checked on nonstop flights to the US from 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa.
The UK followed with a similar ban but did not include airports in Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the three airlines’ home countries.
Mindful of their dependence on international business travelers, the three airlines are looking for ways to keep them happy in the face of the ban.
Qatar Airways is offering a laptop loan service at no charge to its business class passengers on all US-bound flights.
Qatar Airways also is providing one hour of free Wi-Fi for all passengers, including those in economy. and a special Wi-Fi package of US$5 to stay connected for the duration of the whole flight.
Beginning April 2, Etihad will offer free iPad loaners to first and business class passengers on US-bound flights.
They also will receive Wi-Fi vouchers from the cabin crew with the onboard welcome drink. These vouchers will provide free Wi-Fi for the duration of the flight.
All three airlines are offering special handling of electronic devices. Devices are collected as passengers board and carefully packaged to assuage their owners’ fear of damage.