Everyone is freaking out about the new electronics ban on flights from several Middle Eastern and North African countries to the United States and the United Kingdom, but Emirates has the perfect response.
Emirates, which is affected by the U.S ban but not the British, released an epic response video following the news. Editing footage from a previous campaign that featured American actress Jennifer Aniston, Emirates reminded us all just why the electronics ban – while annoying – isn't a big deal if you fly the Dubai-based airline.
When you fly Emirates, do you really need your laptop?
Because beyond the airline's world-class service ...
The in-flight entertainment is seriously on-point!
"This thing has so many games and so many movies, it's crazy," Aniston says in the clip.
The ad continues with the message: "Over 2,500 channels of the latest movies, box sets, live sport and kids TV ... let us entertain you."
That's a whole lot of entertainment!
And of course, people loved it
Because honestly, nothing beats quality
And people are standing behind Emirates and other Arab airlines
Watch the full clip
The electronics ban explained
Mobile phones can still be taken on all flights, but larger electronic devices are now banned as carry-on items. Laptops, tablets and other electronics must be placed in checked luggage to be kept below the plane. Electronic medical devices are exempt from the ban.
The British and the U.S. bans are very different from each other. They target different airports and different airlines, with some overlapping. Although both countries say the ban is meant to address security concerns and that they coordinated before implementing the ban, the inconsistencies have raised questions and criticism from aviation and security experts.
The British ban affects 14 airlines, including British and European carriers, traveling from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. The U.S. ban affects nine airlines, all from the Middle East and North Africa, and 10 airports in Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.
Many have suggested that the U.S. government is deliberately targeting Arab airlines. Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, which are all affected by the U.S. ban but not the British ban, have been caught up in an ongoing row with U.S. competitors, which feel threatened by their success and superior service.
The U.S. competitors have lobbied U.S. President Donald Trump to take action against the Gulf carriers.