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 Turkish Airlines flights. That means you can once again bring your larger electronic devices into the cabins of Turkish Airlines flights bound for the US.
Dear Passengers, #WelcomeOnBoard to our US-bound flight. Please fasten your seatbelts and enjoy your own electronic devices. pic.twitter.com/WbcZwNPhrf
— Turkish Airlines (@TurkishAirlines) July 4, 2017
This is awesome news, and follows last week’s announcement that the US is introducing new security requirements for US-bound flights. This means you can expect more thorough security measures at most international airports when flying to the US. However, this also means that if airlines previously impacted by the electronics ban comply with the new policies, they’ll have the ban lifted.
It’s no surprise that the electronics ban was lifted so quickly for Etihad, given their US Pre-Clearance facility at Abu Dhabi Airport. They already had enhanced security measures in place, so it didn’t seem logical that the ban ever even applied for flights from there (then again, it never seemed like much thought was put into it anyway).
However, I’m pleasantly surprised by how quickly the restriction was lifted from Istanbul, since I figured that the US would have more security concerns with that airport than Doha, Dubai, etc.
Then again, since the US isn’t publicly revealing what the enhanced security measures are, I guess we really don’t know what changes had to occur.
Here’s to hoping the remaining airlines have their bans lifted soon as well.
Lastly, one interesting thing is that the UK version of the electronics ban applies to Turkish Airlines, though there hasn’t been an announcement as to whether or not that will be lifted. The UK version of the electronics ban never applied to Emirates, Etihad, or Qatar.
Is anyone flying Turkish from Istanbul to the US anytime soon? If so, please report back on your experience with security.
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 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.
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.
@DC-PHLyer hey thanks for that bit of good news!
I wonder if DOH will remain in ban for politics...
Emirates ban from DXB also lifted per EK. Reported in CNN international as well
Looks like EK is ok now: https://www.thenational.ae/uae/emirates-says-us-flight-laptop-ban-lifted-1.93488
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
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.
The whole thing is political. Anyone who has been through security at DOH would know that.
fantastic news! My return is in early September on Turkish via IST so this is awesome!
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?
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.
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.