Device ban lifted on Qatar Airways flights into the US
Applies to US-bound flights departing from Hamad International Airport.
The US Department of Homeland Security has lifted the personal electronic device (PED) ban for passengers travelling to the US on Qatar Airways flights.
The Department of Homeland Security lifted the ban after it was satisfied with security measures put in place by Qatar Airways.
The exemptions is for those boarding US-bound flights from Qatar Airways Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar.
“The security measures in place in Doha allow us to continue to provide our renowned world-class service for all our passengers travelling to the US,” said Qatar Airways group chief executive Akbar Al Baker.
This is good news for many travellers as Qatar is a hub of the Middle East.
Qatar Airways has been on top to of the ban since it started, first offering loaner laptops to passengers who were forced to stow them.
The ban on PEDs came into effect in the US and UK in late March, and called into question the safety and legality of forcing people to check their electronic items. We spoke with Fast Cover CEO Dean Van Es at the time to ask if your electronic items would be covered by your travel insurance if they were damaged.
Van Es said that while normally checked electronic items wouldn't be covered because you were being forced to check these items, your insurer was legally bound to cover those items.
Qatar Airways is the latest airlines to have the electronics ban lifted. Etihad Airways had its ban lifted on 3 July 2017, followed by Turkish Airlines (4 July) and Emirates Airline (5 July).
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