Qatar Airways announced it will provide a complimentary laptop loan service for business-class passengers affected by the U.S. government’s electronics restriction.
The laptops will be available to business-class travelers on all U.S.-bound flights and can be collected after boarding. Passengers are advised to load any necessary files onto a USB drive before boarding so they can continue working once airborne.
“As an award-winning global airline, we appreciate the importance of being able to work onboard our aircraft, which is why I have insisted on offering the best possible solution for our customers,” said Akbar Al Baker, chief executive of Qatar Airways Group.
In addition to the onboard laptop service, Qatar Airways operates a secure gate-handling solution for devices that are prohibited from the cabin. Gate agents will package, tag and load such items as checked baggage and ensure they are returned to passengers upon arrival in the United States.
Qatar Airways also provides one hour of free WiFi to all passengers, with a special offer to stay connected for the entire flight for $5.
By offering loaner computers, the carrier goes a step further than some regional rivals in accommodating travelers affected by the ban. Etihad has rolled out free WiFi and iPads on U.S. flights from Abu Dhabi, while Emirates introduced a dedicated laptop-handling service at the gate.