Qatar Launches “Laptop Loan” Service to Counter Electronics Ban
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
We’re almost a week into the large carry-on electronics ban, and airlines are constantly one-upping each other. First, Royal Jordanian brought the fire on social media. Emirates was the first airline to offer a service to gate-check your electronics — which we tested first-hand — and Turkish Airlines quickly followed. While unpublicized, Qatar and Etihad are providing the same service.
Yesterday, Etihad stepped up its response by launching free Wi-Fi and iPads for business and first-class passengers affected by the ban.
Now, Qatar is taking it to the next level with a new “Laptop Loan” service. Starting “next week,” business-class passengers traveling to the US will have complimentary laptops available on board for the duration of the flight. Passengers traveling in all classes will still have the option to check electronics at the gate, but business-class passengers will now be able to effectively trade their laptop for a loaner device at the gate.
Not flying in business class? Qatar will also “guarantee the comfort and productivity of all passengers” by offering all passengers one hour of free Wi-Fi or an option to buy a full-flight package for just $5.
Bottom Line
While we’re looking forward to a more permanent solution which will allow passengers to carry-on their large electronic devices, we applaud Qatar and Etihad for taking massive strides to offer loaner devices for premium cabin passengers. We look forward to other airlines providing similar passenger-friendly solutions.
Click here for our full coverage of the large carry-on electronics ban, including:
- What You Need to Know About the Electronics Ban
- The United Kingdom Now Has Its Own Cabin Electronics Ban
- 4 Tips for When You Check Your Electronic Devices
- How to Survive Long Flights with Young Kids During the Electronics Ban
- Comparing the Baggage Insurance of Premium Travel Cards
Featured image courtesy of Qatar Airways.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
WELCOME OFFER: 60,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,200
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 2X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.