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No more Electronics Ban for Abu Dhabi

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In what is an excellent example of cooler heads prevailing with respect to the electronics ban, it appears that the US Pre-Clearance Facility in Abu Dhabi does in fact provide sufficient security to allow electronics to fly in the cabin. 

The large electronics ban has been ongoing for far longer than I think any of us expected it to last. The ban has been in place since late March, which is phenomenal to me. It prevents passengers flying to the US from 8 countries from carrying anything larger than a cell phone. That means no tablets, no laptops.

Electronics Ban, Abu Dhabi

Electronics Ban Lifted out of Abu Dhabi

In what may be one of those “Duh” moments, it seems that Etihad Airways and the US have reached an agreement that the US Pre-Clearance facility is sufficient to screen electronic devices, to enable them to be brought in the cabin. 

Here’s what you can no bring into the cabin:

Electronics Ban, Abu Dhabi

Wrapping Up

I feel like this is kind of a no brainer here. I mean the United Kingdom didn’t institute an electronics ban for any flights out of the United Arab Emirates. I think the question becomes, is this the first step in a loosening of the electronics ban, or is this just the realization that it sends a horrible message that the US doesn’t even trust its US Pre-Clearance facility in Abu Dhabi–in which case, why is it even there?

I think this is a positive step, in that it does acknowledge and demonstrate some value for the US Pre-Clearance Facility. I am still not sure I see the true value of this electronics ban, in so much that folks can just re-route elsewhere. I’ve seen far less security in other areas of the world for example.

What do you think about the latest news with respect to the Electronics Ban?

Electronics Ban Expansion, Qantas Heritage, Travel Scholarships, Singapore Long Haul

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The Weekly Travel News Roundup is a collection of headlines from around the internet that caught the attention of the Tagging Miles team. Content on these blogs do not necessarily reflect the positions of Tagging Miles, and should not be considered endorsements. Have a great story we should read? Contact us now and let us know.

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A potential benefit of the Electronics Ban for Travel Hackers

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As I read through the news about the Electronics Ban recently announced, I feel for the many that will be negatively impacted by this. I’m additionally concerned about the risk that this forces airlines to take, with respect to having lithium-ion batteries unmonitored in the baggage hold. But yet, the travel hacker in me cannot ignore the potential silver linings here.

Increased Award Availability

This electronics ban affects the home hub of Turkish, Qatar, Etihad, Emirates, Saudia, Air Jordanian, Kuwait, Royal Air Maroc, and Egyptian. What do these airlines represent? Membership of all three global airline alliances and partnerships with even more airlines.

Is it feasible to consider that this electronics ban could lead to fewer booked seats, and thus an increase in award availability? I think its reasonable. After all, an empty seat isn’t generally a good thing on an aircraft. Earning whatever the partner rates are, for a mileage redemption seems better than nothing.

Discounted Business Class Airfares for the Premium Travel Hacker

I realize that not every travel hacker wants to, or even has the means to buy business class fares. But its also no secret that I’ve leveraged these things, even for a crazy mileage run to Cairo. But is it reasonable, given that business travelers are likely to fly via alternative means due to the loss of productivity, that premium cabins fly less full? Again, it’s a reasonable idea.

travel hackers, electronics ban

Etihad A380 First Apartments Bed.

Now how low can premium airfares really go? Well, there was that one deal last year from Sri Lanka to Boston for $2080 for 2 people, round trip. At $1,000 per person for a round trip, I could see travel hackers jumping on flights originating in places like the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. I know that while I did the Egypt flights in 2015, I’m more hesitant to return; but I have found the UAE and Qatar to be safe—despite what the electronics ban tells us.

Wrapping Up

I realize that this electronics ban will have a great deal more negative impact than positive. But, I think as travel hackers, we should acknowledge that, and still look for the angle that can yield benefits.

What do you think?

Is the Electronics Ban the next step in US3 v ME3?

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I written in the past about the big US Airlines (US3), Delta, American and United and their complaints against the three biggest Middle East airlines (ME3), Emirates, Etihad and Qatar. We even had an entire Saverocity Observation Deck Podcast on the topic. For a time, things cooled off. We know that the US3 CEO’s were very optimistic with the new administration, and that could have been part of it. I wonder if this is what they were waiting for.

For background, feel free to read more about the Electronics Ban

Many Things at Play with the Electronics Ban

We know the current administration wants to have some sort of ban or limitation of individuals from certain countries. We know further, that the administration’s attempt at this ban has failed not once, but twice.

So I suppose it should not be surprising to see the administration take an alternative path. While the electronics ban is not nearly as restrictive as the travel bans, the fact is, this will affect many, many people. It will also affect the airlines.

The ME3 will be significantly harmed by this Electronics Ban

I will say right now, that Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways will be significantly hurt by this ban, should it stand. They pride themselves on providing one stop connectivity to most of the world. What value is one stop connectivity, if for that last 15 hour flight home, you have limited productivity. Yes, these airlines have In Flight Entertainment (IFE), but for business travelers, and nearly every traveler, internet connectivity is very important.

For business travelers, it may almost make more sense to connect via Europe or Asia, than to fly from the 10 airports identified in the Electronics Ban. The loss of productivity, the inconvenience of checking a bag, the risk of theft of employer laptop; these are all concerns, and they all work against the ME3.

Are the US3 quietly cheering?

This is an open question at this point. We know that this sort of ban is going to hurt some US airlines like Jetblue and Alaska. I suspect it will likely hurt American as well, as they get connecting passengers from Etihad and Qatar.

Only time will tell, to see how this goes.

And yet, I’m still left wondering – did the US3 get a win here?

Electronics Ban for flights from 8 countries

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The biggest news this week is the Electronics Ban that requires passengers flying from 8 countries to stow any electronics larger than a smartphone in their checked bags. It has the potential to dramatically change air travel to the US from those 8 countries, two of which have the 3 largest Middle Eastern carriers. Hours later, the United Kingdom came out with a similar yet more specific ban.

Details about the US Electronics Ban

The electronics ban states that electronic devices larger than a cellphone or smartphone will not be carry-ons for flights departing from 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa.

The ban affects 10 airports:

  • Amman, Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
  • Cairo, Egypt’s Cairo International Airport (CAI)
  • Istanbul, Turkey’s Ataturk International Airport (IST)
  • Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdul-Aziz International Airport (JED)
  • Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH)
  • Kuwait’s International Airport (KWI)
  • Casablanca, Morocco’s Mohammed V Airport (CMN)
  • Doha, Qatar’s Hamad International Airport (DOH)
  • Dubai, United Arab Emirates’ Dubai International Airport (DXB)
  • Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates’ Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)

So, what specifically can’t you bring? Any electronic that isn’t a smartphone, cellphone, or medical device. For example:

  • Laptops
  • Cameras
  • eReaders
  • Tablets

Details about the UK Electronics Ban

The UK Electronics Ban is more specific in that it bans electronic devices bigger than: 16cm x 9.3cm by 1.5cm in the cabin or carry-on bags from the following countries:

  • Turkey
  • Lebanon
  • Egypt
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Jordan
  • Tunisia

This is a much more specified restriction as compared to the US one.

Impact of the Electronics Ban

Obviously the near-term impact is a lot of confusion and frustration. But there are wider concerns here. For instance, we know that lithium-ion batteries are generally not safe to have in the baggage hold. The FAA even has a directive stating as much. This is a huge concern, as we’ve seen in numerous cases what can happen.

My Initial Thoughts

I think its interesting that one of these airports has a US Customs Pre-Clearance Facility (AUH), which of course already has enhanced security compared to most of the other airports. I wonder if that is a sign that the Pre-Clearance Facility may not stick around.

I also don’t like the idea that I could now be flying on a plane with enough lithium-ion devices to cause a diversion or worse, sitting unmonitored in the baggage hold. I think this is a very real concern, and I sincerely hope that someone will be monitoring and reporting on how many aircraft have incidents related to this electronics ban, should it stand.

That all said, the fact that the United Kingdom jumped on the ban wagon so quickly, and so much more specifically gives me pause. I still think that forcing large lithium batteries to be stowed in checked bags presents a danger, but, I’d imagine that the intelligence is indicating that there is some greater danger. 

Finally, my thoughts this morning on the topic are tempered this evening as I finish writing this post. They are tempered because the United Kingdom’s electronics ban lends legitimacy. Could that just be a strategy? Yes, but, what if its not? and why is the United Kingdom’s so much more narrow–and essentially, impacting fewer major hubs–is it better intelligence? A tempered hand? who knows.

What do you think of the Electronics ban?

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