Electronics Ban: Here's What It Could Cost You, and How the Airlines are Helping

by  Shawn Wellington | Mar 29, 2017
Turkish Airlines A320
Turkish Airlines A320 / Turkish Airlines

If you’re planning to fly into the United States from airports in Africa and the Middle East -- including its major transit hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, pay attention: you may have to check some or all of your electronics. These can include laptops, cameras, e-readers, portable DVD players, handheld game consoles, travel printers/scanners, or tablets.

The Trump administration recently ordered nine airlines to prevent passengers from boarding U.S.-bound flights with large electronics. Your smartphones are fine bring with you in the cabin, but anything larger will need to be put in checked luggage and stowed beneath the plane. It’s anticipated that the ban will be lifted at some point, but for now, you can expect longer lines to check luggage overseas, frustration from not being able to access your laptop while in flight, and potential unexpected baggage fees.

EgyptAir, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines all have direct flights into the U.S., and are included in the ban. In light of this, here's a rundown of their baggage fees -- and some information about what each is doing to help passengers during the ban.

Also, note that these rules can change quickly, so always check with the airline directly before you fly, and planning ahead is key. You’ll want to arrive at the airport 45 to 60 minutes earlier than usual to account for longer lines to check luggage. And remember, you’ll need to ensure that any important liquids or medicines aren’t accidentally left in the carry-on you’ll be checking.

EgyptAir

If you’re traveling in economy, you’ll get two free pieces of checked luggage (up to 23 kgs kilograms / 50 pounds). If you’re in first or business class, you’ll get the same two bags free, but with a higher weight limit (32 kgs kilograms / 70 pounds).

If you’ll need to check additional bags, those will cost you between $125 and $250, depending on quantity and weight.

Emirates

After the ban was instated, Emirates created some new policies specifically around electronics. Not only will the airline now check your carry-on for free, but it will allow passengers to proceed with their laptop right up to the departure gate. That way, you’ll be able to use it as you wait for your flight to board. Staff will then affix a checked baggage tag to your carry-on just prior to boarding. It’s a nice gesture to minimize the sting of having to part ways with these items.

For more information about checked bag costs on Emirates, take a look at their baggage calculator. Note that if you need to add checked bags, you can save by doing it online.

Etihad Airways

If you’re traveling in economy, you’ll get two free pieces of checked luggage (up to 23 kgs kilograms / 50 pounds). If you’re in first or business class, you’ll get the same two bags free, but with a higher weight limit (32 kgs kilograms / 70 pounds).

If you realize that you’ll need an added bag, you can save 20% on the $288 fee for a third bag by managing your booking online.

Kuwait Airways

If you’re traveling in economy, you’ll get two free pieces of checked luggage (up to 23 kgs kilograms / 50 pounds). If you’re in first or business class, you’ll get the same two bags free, but with a higher weight limit (32 kgs kilograms / 70 pounds).

If you’ll need to check additional bags, those will cost you between $115 and $200 depending on quantity and weight.

Qatar Airways

If you’re traveling in economy, you’ll get two free pieces of checked luggage (up to 23 kgs kilograms / 50 pounds). If you’re in first or business class, you’ll get the same two bags free, but with a higher weight limit (32 kgs kilograms / 70 pounds). 

To check additional bags, those will cost you between $200 and $315,
depending on quantity and weight. Bonus: Qatar just announced the "laptop loan" program, offering passengers a replacement laptop on all flights to the U.S. in response to the ban. 

Royal Air Maroc

If you’re traveling in economy, you’ll get two free pieces of checked luggage (up to 23 kgs kilograms / 50 pounds). If you’re in first or business class, you’ll get a third bag free with those same weight limits.

Additional bags will cost you between $150 and $225 depending on quantity and weight.

Royal Jordanian Airlines

Economy passengers will get two free pieces of checked luggage (up to 23 kgs kilograms / 50 pounds). If you’re in first or business class, you’ll get the same two bags free, but with a higher weight limit (32 kgs kilograms / 70 pounds).

To check additional bags, you'll pay between $175 and $250 depending on quantity and weight.

Saudi Arabian Airlines

If you’re traveling in economy, you’ll get two free pieces of checked luggage (up to 23 kgs kilograms / 50 pounds). If you’re in first or business class, you’ll get the same two bags free, but with a higher weight limit (32 kgs kilograms / 70 pounds).

If you’ll need to check additional bags, those will cost you between $140 and $221 depending on quantity and weight.

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines has instituted a similar policy to Emirates, noted above, during the electronics ban. They’ll check your carry-on for free, and you can proceed with your laptop to the departure gate, so you can use it until you board. Then, just prior to boarding, staff will affix a checked baggage tag to your carry-on.

Additional bags will cost you between $150 and $350 depending on quantity and weight.

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