Emirates will introduce a new service that allows customers to use their laptops and tablets before boarding their flights to the US.
Emirates customers travelling to the US via Dubai will now be able to use their laptops and tablets on the first leg of their journey, as well as during transit in Dubai. They must then declare and surrender their laptops, tablets and other prohibited electronic devices to security personnel at the gate just before boarding their flight to the United States. The units will be carefully packed in boxes, loaded into the aircraft’s cargo hold, and returned to the customer once they arrive at their destination in the United States. This service is totally free!
Emirates revamps its customer experience
Passengers on flights to the United States who begin their travels in Dubai are encouraged to check-in their electronic devices in their luggage first, to avoid delays.
Customers should be aware that there will be a detailed search of all carry-on baggage on non-stop flights to the US from Dubai. Therefore, they should declare their devices before the search, or make sure to keep their electronic devices in their checked luggage first. According to Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airlines, the airline’s objective is to ensure compliance with the new rules while minimizing disruption to passenger flow and the impact on the customer experience.
“Our new free service allows passengers, especially those travelling on business, the flexibility to use their aircraft right up to the last minute. said the airline’s president.
Emirates is thus ensuring that its operations comply with the latest restrictions on electronic devices in the cabin, when these new rules take effect.
A new privilege worthy of Emirates
Emirates has deployed additional staff at the airport to facilitate and assist passengers, especially in the early days of the new rules. “Once on board, they can always stay connected on their mobile phones. Our historical data shows that on Emirates flights to the US, 90% of passengers use our mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity services via their smartphones. Only 6% connect via their laptops, and 4% via their tablets,” adds Sir Tim Clark.
Please note, however, that passengers traveling non-stop to the U.S. from Dubai International Airport (DXB) will not be allowed to carry any electronic device larger than a cell phone or smartphone, excluding medical devices in the aircraft cabin. Travellers should carry these electronic devices in their checked baggage.
“This is not to say that other passengers are not using their devices in offline mode, but the positive aspect is perhaps the fact that they can now rightly, give themselves a break with their devices, enjoy our on-board service to watch the latest movies, listen to music or the set of TV channels that we offer,” argued the Emirates Airlines president.
This new security directive, issued by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), applies to all passengers travelling non-stop to the US from Dubai, including those in transit. It does not apply to Emirates flights to the US via Milan and Athens or to other Emirates flights to other destinations. Emirates customers travelling to the US can find out more about how the new TSA rules affect them at www.emirates.com/electronicsban
