Saudia the Latest Carrier to Be (Partially) Exempt From Electronics Ban
Since the US Department of Homeland Security announced a couple of weeks ago that it was going to require enhanced security procedures, airports have been quick to implement the required steps — the 10 airports in eight countries have made the changes so that they could be exempt from the electronics ban. Now, the last of the affected carriers, Saudia, has lifted the electronics ban — at least partially.
The TSA announced on Twitter today that both Saudia and Jeddah's King Abdul-Aziz International Airport (JED) had successfully implemented the required security measures in order to have the electronics ban lifted on its nonstop flights to the US.
In a follow-up tweet, the agency indicated that travelers from JED could now bring their laptops on board. However, it didn't clearly indicate if passengers traveling on nonstop flights from King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh would also be allowed to take their large electronics in the cabin.
We've reached out to the TSA for clarification but have yet to hear back. A TSA spokesman told Reuters that the US government had lifted the ban at JED and will be visiting RUH "later this week to confirm compliance there as well." At this point, it would seem that only JED has implemented the required enhanced security measures, meaning RUH still has the electronics ban in place. As a reminder, Saudia only flies nonstop from RUH to Washington, D.C. (IAD). The carrier flies nonstop from its JED base to Los Angeles (LAX) and New York (JFK).
For now, RUH is the only airport at which the electronics ban is still in place, however, it appears that may be ending soon as well.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app