Emirates is loaning tablets to first- and business-class passengers to counter a March 25 US ban on all in-cabin electronics larger than a smartphone on flights from Muslim-majority countries to the United States, said the airline on Wednesday.

The move follows similar tablet-loaner plans by Oman and Etihad airlines to help passengers continue to work while travelling to the US on long-haul carrier flights.

In a statement on Wednesday, Emirates said it will not charge extra fees for the temporary use of the tablets.

“Customers can download their work on to a USB which can be brought on board and plugged into the devices to continue working seamlessly. The service is complimentary and will be available on all non-stop flights from Dubai to Emirates’ US destinations,” the airline said.

The latest measure follows the airline’s earlier response to the March 25 electronics ban which allowed customers to “retain and utilise their personal devices until just before they board their US-bound flights”

Emirates noted that passengers in all classes can continue to use their smartphones to access services such as in-flight WiFi to stay connected during travel.

All other electronics, according to the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) directive, must be checked in and stowed below in cargo on any flights from the 10 Muslim-majority countries listed in the ban.

The TSA ban is said to be in response to reports that Daesh may smuggle explosives hidden in laptops aboard passenger airliners flying into the United States.

The electronics ban is in force for Emirates flights as well as other airlines from North Africa and Africa to 12 American airports.

Emirates passengers are not included in an electronics ban by the United Kingdom which did not include the UAE on its watch list of airports

source : gulfnews