Emirates lends Microsoft Surface tablets to US-bound first and business class passengers

Emirates A380 new zealand dubai — An Emirates Airbus A380-800 takes off from San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, California, February 13, 2015. Reuters/Louis Nastro

Emirates has introduced a loan service to first and business class passengers bounded to the US. The airline allowed eligible passengers to borrow Microsoft Surface tablets on board so they could continue working during the flight.

Microsoft tablets were equipped with Microsoft Office 2016 that could help customers to finish their work-related tasks. The customers could download their work onto a USB that could be plugged into the devices.

The new service would be available on all non-stop flights from Dubai to the US and it would be a complimentary service. The new offer was the airline's response to the US Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) directive recently. TSA required all passengers on non-stop flights to the US from Dubai to check in the passengers' personal electronic devices larger than a smartphone, laptops and tablets.

TSA directive did not apply to the airline's US-bound flights via Milan (EK205) and Athens (EK209). The directive did not impact the departing flights from the US or to any other destination.

Laptop and handling service for US-bound customers is available as a complimentary service. Passengers in all cabin classes are eligible to the offer. They can retain and utilise their personal devices until before they board. They must declare and hand over banned electronic devices including laptops and tablets to the security staff at the boarding gate. The security staff would pack and tag each device that would be stored in the aircraft hold then the devices would be returned to the customer at their US destination.

Customers travelling to the US could pack their electronic devices into their check-in baggage at their point of departure. They could use their devices on the first leg of the travel and during transit in Dubai. They could also use their devices to the moment they board their US-bound flight. The premium customers could choose to continue working on loaned devices on board.

Wi-Fi is available in more than 85 percent of Emirates’ fleet of passenger aircrafts. Customers could connect using their mobile phones, in-seat telephones with SMS and email and live TV.

Nearly 8,000 passengers have utilised the airline's laptop and tablet handling service on its 112 weekly non-stop flights from Dubai international airport to the US. The airline has received positive feedbacks and reports regarding its service. The airline serves 12 US airports including New York (JFK), Washington (IAD), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Newark (EWR), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Orlando (MCO), Chicago (ORD), Boston (BOS), Seattle (SEA), Dallas (DFW) and Houston (IAH).