The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the British Government have implemented safety restrictions on electronic items. The new rule for flying with electronics took effect starting on March 21st, 2017. Here’s what you need to know. Several electronic devices have been banned from carrying in airplane cabins on flights to the United States from 10 international airports. This applies only to flights on non American-operated airlines.
This is a new and developing situation in which information may be subject to ongoing change and updated at short notice. If you are intending to travel then it is incumbent on you to check with your travel provider and airline for updates prior to travel.
United States
The U. S. Department of Homeland Security has issued a security note that restricts a number of items (see below) from being carried in airplane cabins on flights to the United States from 10 international airports (also see below). Medical devices required during the flight will still be allowed in the cabin after security screening.
This policy took effect Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 3 a.m. EDT and must be followed by airlines within 96 hours.
This applies only to flights on foreign carriers and not American-operated airlines.
Restricted Items
- Laptop computers
- Tablets
- Cameras
- Travel printers
- Gaming devices
Restricted Airports
- Mohammed V International, Casablanca, Morocco
- Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey
- Cairo International Airport, Egypt
- Queen Alia International, Amman, Jordan
- King Abdulaziz International, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- King Khalid International, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Kuwait International Airport
- Hamad International, Doha, Qatar
- Abu Dhabi International, United Arab Emirates
- Dubai International, United Arab Emirates
Airlines operating direct flights from restricted airports to the United States
- Egyptair
- Emirates Airline
- Etihad Airways
- Kuwait Airways
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian Airlines
- Saudi Arabian Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has announced a cabin baggage ban on electronic items on passenger flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia.
Restricted items
- Laptops
- Tablets
- DVD players
- Phones over a certain size (It includes smart phones, but most fall inside these limits)
The six affected UK carriers
- British Airways
- EasyJet
- Jet2.com
- Monarch
- Thomas Cook
- Thomson
The eight overseas airlines subject to the ban
- Turkish Airlines
- Pegasus Airways
- Atlas-Global Airlines
- Middle East Airlines
- Egyptair
- Royal Jordanian
- Tunis Air
- Saudia Arabian Airlines
Security recommendations
- Follow all security directives at airports.
- Anticipate possible security delays at affected airports.
- Consult the relevant carrier prior to setting out for a U.S.- or UK-bound flight from, or transiting through, an affected airport to the United States or the United Kingdom.
- Check your bags immediately after arriving at your destination to ensure your laptop is still with your baggage.
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