• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Qatar and Etihad Airways Are Loaning Free Laptops and Tablets to Some U.S.-Bound Passengers

By
Joseph Hincks
Joseph Hincks
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Joseph Hincks
Joseph Hincks
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 31, 2017, 3:03 AM ET
US-security-aviation-travel
An Etihad Airways aircraft from Abu Dhabi, comes in for a landing at Los Angeles International Airport on March 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Frederic J. Brown—AFP/Getty Images

Complimentary laptops are being loaned out to some Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways passengers as the Gulf-based carriers’ attempt to mitigate the effects of a U.S.-imposed cabin ban on most electronic devices on inbound flights.

The new rules apply to 10 airports in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, including the United Arab Emirates—where Etihad is based—and Qatar. The regulations prohibit laptops and other electronics that exceed the size of a mobile phone from being carried as hand luggage on airplanes, Reuters reports.

Qatar Airways said it will distribute laptops to its business class passengers from next week. The laptops will reportedly be given out at the gate, and passengers’ devices will be collected and stowed with checked-in luggage.

An email sent out to Etihad frequent flyer members on Tuesday said passengers flying business or first class would also be offered tablets with unlimited Wi-Fi, Reuters reports. On Monday, Emirates President Tim Clark said that the Dubai-based carrier was considering similar measures.

For more on air travel, watch Fortune’s video:

Some airlines have responded creatively to the restrictions, which are prompted by fears that militant groups could use consumer electronics to smuggle explosive devices into airplane cabins. Last week, Royal Jordanian Airlines posited a list of 12 things to do on a 12-hour flight with no laptop or tablet. It included appreciating the miracle of flight and engaging in “primitive dialogue from the pre-internet era.”

About the Author
By Joseph Hincks
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

Middle EastIran
Iran launches missiles at U.K.-U.S. base 2,500 miles away in the Indian Ocean, indicating Tehran has weapons with much longer range than once thought
By Samy Magdy, Sam Mednick and The Associated PressMarch 21, 2026
22 minutes ago
Middle EastIran
A 19-year-old star wrestler and two other young men were hanged in Iran as regime continues with executions and crackdown on dissent during war
By Lee Keath, Julia Frankel, Sarah El Deeb and The Associated PressMarch 21, 2026
31 minutes ago
Middle Eastsupply chains
Iran war cut off helium from Qatar, and shortages will start to bite in a few weeks, threatening chip supply chains that fuel the AI boom
By Kelvin Chan and The Associated PressMarch 21, 2026
39 minutes ago
PoliticsColombia
DEA names Colombian president ‘priority target’ as U.S. prosecutors probe ties to drug traffickers
By Jim Mustian, Joshua Goodman, Alanna Durkin Richer and The Associated PressMarch 21, 2026
52 minutes ago
Middle EastIran
The U.S. is deploying 3 more amphibious assault ships and 2,500 additional Marines to the Mideast, joining more than 50,000 troops already there
By Jon Gambrell, Michelle L. Price, Julie Watson and The Associated PressMarch 21, 2026
1 hour ago
PoliticsTSA
TSA officers are quitting rather than working without pay during another shutdown as eviction notices, car repos, and empty fridges weigh
By Rio Yamat and The Associated PressMarch 21, 2026
1 hour ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.