In March 2017, United States unilaterally applied a ban on electronics & laptops to travel in the cabin of aircraft for airlines which originated travel out of the Middle-East. The United Kingdom quickly applied a ban of their own, however, it was a different shape and size as compared to the American Ban, although both the allies claimed to have shared intelligence of the threat. Then the USA tried imposing the same ban on Europe-originating flights as well, but got pushback enough to cancel it.

We were brave enough put Etihad Airways to test and report back about the state of our Laptop when it travelled in the belly last month. It was all so puzzling specially to travel through Abu Dhabi airport, especially since they are a pre-clearance post for the US CBP, which should mean they already comply with American standards of screening and security. We reported that Etihad is out of the Electronics Ban. Subsequently, even Turkish Airlines and Emirates were pulled out of the Electronics Ban.

That left the question about how would the rest comply with the new rules set out. It seems Saudia is trying to find ways to comply and set itself a date of July 19 2017 to be out of this electronics ban. Royal Jordanian is also at work. Qatar Airways was maintaining a silence on this issue, but they have just released a statement that everyone can now carry their electronics on board their Qatar Airways flights to the USA as well.

This is good news for all the major Middle-Eastern carriers, as a lot of people travel to- and from the subcontinent via the Middle-East hub airports.