Airlines React to the Electronics Ban on Social Media

March 22, 2017

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4 min read

Airlines React to the Electronics Ban on Social Media

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Yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued an emergency security directive banning large electronic devices from carry-on luggage on flights from select airports in the Middle East and Africa to the US. (The UK has also implemented a similar policy.) In all, the electronics ban affects 10 airports across eight countries, which impacts nine airlines.

The electronics ban has spurred outrage among some, especially business travelers who make the trek from the Middle East and Africa to the US and will not be allowed to use laptops during the flight. As expected, airlines have reacted to the ban as well — voicing their concern, snarky feedback and (one of them) delight on Twitter. Here's how some airlines have responded to the imminent electronics ban:

Royal Jordanian

Royal Jordanian, the carrier that originally tweeted about the ban, used some humor in the tense time following the announcement of the ban.

The Amman-based carrier flies nonstop from Amman (AMM) to New York City (JFK) and Chicago (ORD) and to Detroit (DTW) via Montreal (YUL).

Emirates Airline

The Dubai-based carrier has nonstop options between Dubai (DXB) and Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Orlando (MCO), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA) and Washington, D.C. (IAD). After the ban was announced and Dubai was included, the carrier came out with a snarky response, informing travelers that there are plenty of options on board to keep you entertained. Plus, a surprise appearance by Jennifer Aniston.

Qatar Airways

Doha-based Qatar had a similar reaction to Emirates, informing passengers that there are plenty options to choose from on its Oryx One in-flight entertainment system.

The carrier has nonstop travel options from Doha (DOH) to Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Washington, D.C. (IAD), Atlanta (ATL), Miami (MIA), Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), Dallas (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX).

Turkish Airlines

Another airline affected by the ban, the Istanbul-based Turkish Airlines, also took to Twitter to let travelers know of its in-flight entertainment options. According to the carrier, it has two billion minutes of entertainment in its IFE system.

Turkish offers nonstop flights from Istanbul to New York (JFK), Washington, D.C. (IAD), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), Miami (MIA), Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO).

Pakistan Airlines

The Karachi, Pakistan-based airline was not affected by the ban. The carrier doesn't offer a nonstop option to the US, however, it does offer a one-stop option to New York (JFK) via Manchester (MAN).

Continue to follow TPG as we follow how airlines are reacting to the electronics ban.