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Rabat – Affected airlines across the Middle East and North Africa have been having fun responding to the US government’s ban on most electronic devices onboard US bound flights.
Last week, US officials decided to ban all electronics larger than cellphones on any flights into the US for designated companies, claiming a possible terrorist threat. This decision has sparked a lot of controversy across the globe as the ban targets only Muslim countries and recent theories that this ban actually benefits American charters, who remain unaffected, and will attract more passengers.
In the meantime, as airlines prepare travellers for the implementation of these new measures, they are using humor to attract customers.
Air Emirates, Etihad Airlines, Qatar Airways or Turkish Airlines have all published short videos while Royal Jordanian or Saudi Airlines published picture ads reassuring customers of the services abroad such as expanded library stocked with movies, albums, and magazines to keep flyers occupied. Emirates Airlines specifically asked: “who needs a laptop anyways” before promoting their on-flight entertainment.
Royal Jordanian and Etihad Airways used social media to react to the ban with slogans such as “Make Flying Great Again” in reference to Trump’s campaign promise or “Ban Voyage,” tagging the President himself in the post.
Meanwhile Morocco’s airline, Royal Air Maroc has also published its own set of messages. They started by posting a picture that said: “Koun Hani and Enjoy a Movie” referencing the British Government’s iconic World War II advice to “keep calm and carry on,” instead urging passengers to relax and enjoy one their on-flight entertainment. Other similar messages urge passengers to do other small activities such as play Sudoku, do some exercise, or simply, enjoy digital detox.
Who really needs laptops and tablets? #ElectronicsBan pic.twitter.com/5SXO3aq2RW
— Royal Air Maroc (@RAM_Maroc) March 24, 2017
Additionally, Royal Air Maroc published a short video reacting to the ban. The short (40s) video stars a young girl and her father aboard one of the company’s Dreamliners. The young girl is watching an on-flight movie while her father appears distraught at not being able to do anything without his laptop.
When he asks what she is doing, she tells him she’s watching a movie about a princess who accidently froze her whole kingdom, referencing one of Disney’s latest movies, Frozen. With her help, he sets up the movie on his own on-flight TV and settles back comfortably in his seat as the movie starts, visibly pleased by this service.
While passengers will have to accommodate to the new travel rules when flying into the US, they can rest assured that airlines, such as Royal Air Maroc, will ensure they are entertained for the duration of their flights. In the meantime, these companies can have a little fun criticizing President Trump for this policy.
