Emirates is the first airline which has come up with a response to the Electronics Ban imposed by the US Government earlier this week. Emirates flies to 12 destinations in the US at the moment, so the impact on them would be significant. Their first response was tongue-in-cheek, promoting their IFE in the back of the (Air)bus.

Let us entertain you. pic.twitter.com/FKqayqUdQ7

— Emirates airline (@emirates) March 21, 2017

But here is their more serious response. Per Emirates, as long as you declare your device before the security check, you could actually bring them with you till the time you are ready to board your US bound non-stop flight.

Emirates customers travelling to the US via Dubai will be able to utilise their laptops and tablet devices on the first part of their journeys, and also during transit in Dubai. They must then declare and hand over their laptops, tablets, and other banned electronic devices to security staff at the gate just before boarding their US-bound flight. The devices will be carefully packed into boxes, loaded into the aircraft hold, and returned to the customer at their US destination. There will not be any charge for this service.

If you are travelling to the US on a non-stop flight from Dubai, Emirates would ideally want you to pack all electronic devices larger than a smartphone in your checked baggage to avoid any disruption to your journey. This rule does not apply to customers flying to the US via Milan (EK205) or Athens (EK209). These boxes will have priority and will arrive before checked baggage at the other end.

I hope that eases some of the pain one has with separating with their devices for the 14-18 hour long flights. Sit back, relax and enjoy your flight. Now I am waiting for other airlines to unveil similar services as well.