Emirates has introduced another service to mitigate the inconvenience of the recent ban on electronic devices onboard US-bound flights, with First and Business Class passengers now able to borrow tablets onboard Emirates’ US-bound flights, allowing them to continue working during their flight.
The new service is in response to the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) directive that requires all passengers travelling on non-stop flights to the USA from Dubai to check-in their laptops, tablets, and other personal electronic devices larger than a smartphone.
As part of this latest service, Emirates premium customers will have complimentary Microsoft Surface tablets equipped with Microsoft Office 2016 available for loan onboard. Customers can download their work on to a USB that can be brought onboard and plugged into the devices to continue working seamlessly.
For customers who prefer to stow away their personal devices and simply enjoy the award-winning inflight entertainment and service onboard, Emirates has introduced a laptop and tablet handling service for US-bound customers. This complimentary service has been made available to passengers in all cabin classes since 25th March 2017, which was when the new TSA rules took effect.
This service allows customers to retain and utilise their personal devices until just before they board their US-bound flights. Passengers must then declare and hand over their laptops, tablets, and other banned electronic devices to security staff at the boarding gate, who will pack and tag each device to be stored in the aircraft hold and returned to the customer at their US destination.
To date, nearly 8,000 passengers have utilised Emirates’ laptop and tablet handling service on the airline’s 112 weekly non-stop flights departing Dubai International airport to cities in the USA.
Customers can stay connected in the air with mobile phone connectivity, in-seat telephones with SMS and email and live TV on most flights. Currently, more than 85% of Emirates’ fleet of passenger aircraft is equipped with wi-fi onboard.
The TSA directive does not apply to Emirates’ US-bound flights via Milan (EK205) and Athens (EK209). It also does not impact on flights departing from the USA, or Emirates’ flights to any other destination.
Emirates customers flying to the USA can find out more about how the new TSA rules impact on them at www.emirates.com/electronicsban.
