Emirates Introduces Tablet Loan Service To USbound First & Business Class Customers
Emirates has introduced another service to mitigate the inconvenience of the recent ban on electronic devices on board US-bound flights . Beginning today , First and Business Class passengers will be able to borrow tablets on board 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 which requires all passengers travelling on non-stop flights to the US from Dubai to check-in their laptops , tablets , and other personal electronic devices larger than a smart phone .
As part of this latest service , Emirates premium customers will have Microsoft Surface tablets equipped with Microsoft Office 2016 available for loan on board . 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 nonstop flights from Dubai to Emirates ’ US destinations .
For customers who prefer to stow away their personal devices and simply enjoy the award winning inflight entertainment and service on board , Emirates had 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 25 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 .
Watch a video on how Emirates ’ handling service works here .
To date , nearly 8,000 passengers have utilised Emirates ’ laptop and tablet handling service on the airline ’ s 112 weekly nonstop flights departing Dubai International airport to cities in the USA . Emirates has received positive feedback from appreciative customers , and reports an even mix of Economy , Business and First class passengers utilising its laptop and tablet handling service .
These two new services by Emirates gives customers travelling to the US several options , such as : packing their electronic devices into their check-in baggage at their point of departure ; the opportunity to use their laptops and tablet on their first leg of their journeys and during transit in Dubai , up to the moment they board their US-bound flight ; and for premium customers the choice to continue working on loaned devices on board . 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 , over 85 % of Emirates ’ fleet of passenger aircraft is equipped with Wi-Fi on board .
The TSA directive does not apply to Emirates ’ US-bound flights via Milan ( EK205 ) and Athens ( EK209 ). It also does not impact flights departing from the US , or Emirates ’ flights to any other destination .
Emirates customers flying to the US can find out more about how the new TSA rules impact them at www . emirates . com / electronicsban .
Emirates serves 12 US airports with passenger flights - Newark ( EWR ), Fort Lauderdale ( FLL ), Orlando ( MCO ), Chicago ( ORD ), Boston ( BOS ), San Francisco ( SFO ), Los Angeles ( LAX ), Seattle ( SEA ), Dallas ( DFW ), Houston ( IAH ), Washington ( IAD ) and New York ( JFK ).
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