There's more great news when it comes to the electronics ban for US-bound flights. A couple of days ago it was announced that the US electronics ban no longer applies to Etihad Airways flights, and today it was announced that as of July 5, 2017 (tomorrow), the US electronics ban will no longer apply to…
Continue reading: The US Electronics Ban Is Now Lifted For Turkish Airlines Flights
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Just traveled from IST to ATL on July 2, 2017. The security at IST was definitely enhanced as compared to my experience through the same airport 2 months ago when I took a flight from IST to ORD. Turkish Airlines has been one of my favorite and I am glad to see the ban lifted.
Saudia have just announced they are working -alongside GACA- towards having the ban lifted no later than July 19th. I'm guessing Emirates and Qatar will also have it lifted soon.
I cannot wait Until this happens to Emirates and DXB as that's where my middle east travel for this year will be. Any word or progress on that yet Ben?
fantastic news! My return is in early September on Turkish via IST so this is awesome!
The whole thing is political. Anyone who has been through security at DOH would know that.
Good to hear! Next time the DHS wants to improve security, maybe they should focus on airports at home like MSP with their 95% TSA fail rate instead of frivolous bans of laptops.
DXB is supposed to be in a week or two: https://www.thenational.ae/uae/transport/regional-airlines-expect-electronics-ban-to-be-lifted-1.91936
Looks like EK is ok now: https://www.thenational.ae/uae/emirates-says-us-flight-laptop-ban-lifted-1.93488
Emirates ban from DXB also lifted per EK. Reported in CNN international as well
Laptops are the least worry when it comes to Turkish Airlines safety. Noone crashes more, overrun runways more or tailstrikes more (etc). Im not flying them no more. Pilots in Turkey has a very bad reputation in the aviation industry.
On TK 33 right now. Arrived at IST from ESB at about 9:15 this morning and made my way over to the CIP lounge. No difference in security entering the lounge- standard check exactly like the screening for the domestic flight at the Ankara CIP lounge.
Upon entering the lounge we saw the news reports saying that the electronics ban had been lifted, and that the first flight to JFK today had allowed electronics on board. Lounge staff were unaware of the changes.
Got to the gate about an hour before departure time, and boarding had already begun. There was pretty significant scrutiny of my passport and boarding pass before getting to the actual screening, but not necessarily more than last year when I flew this route.
Was able to cut to the front of the line at the security table (thanks, Aeroplan J award pricing!). I was asked if I had any laptops or electronics, and I pulled out my laptop, my wife's laptop, my kindle, and a tablet. They didn't scrutinize the tablet or e-reader, but I needed to turn the laptops on (third time today after ESB and the first check at IST) and they performed a swab test on both. I don't recall if this was the procedure last year.
Before the all-clear for the swab, I got a very short pat-down and then out everything back into my bag. The whole thing took less than a minute or two and was pretty efficient.
I enjoy flying TK and my in-laws live in Turkey, so I'm very happy this questionable policy is being phased out.