Qatar Airways has announced that it will provide a laptop computer loan service to business class passengers affected by the US government’s disruptive electronics ban.

The complimentary laptops will be available to those travelling in business class on all US-bound flights from next week, and can be collected after boarding. Customers will be able to download their work on to a USB before boarding, and continue working once airborne.

As Emirates has done, Qatar Airways is offering a special service at the gate for all passengers, whereby any electronic items prohibited by the new ban are collected and securely packaged. These are then tagged, loaded as check-in baggage and returned on arrival in the US.

Additionally, the airline is providing one hour’s free wifi to all passengers and a special wifi package of US$5 to stay connected for the duration of the whole flight.

By providing computers Qatar has gone one step further than its Gulf carrier rivals in dealing with fallout from the ban. Etihad recently began offering free wifi and iPads on its US flights from Abu Dhabi, while Emirates was the first to introduce a laptop handling service.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, said: “As an award-winning and global airline we truly appreciate the importance of being able to work on board our aircraft, and that is why I have insisted on offering only the best possible solution for our customers.”

qatarairways.com