itfcfan

For the outward flight to Cairo, there is no ban in place.

On the return flight (Cairo-London) laptops/tablets are still banned (on BA only). Egyptair flights have had this ban removed since early September.

hfly

Pucci, you seem to rejoice in having a go at myself and Worcester. What I reported to the community was a factual recounting of a conversation which I had with someone in the know and is the exact same thing which Worcester reported shortly after. Furthermore shortly thereafter I spoke with the exact same person that Worcester spoke to who confirmed the same and that it had now become political. BA's "assessors" have in fact insisted on a security threshold that is LESS than the UK DOT's assessment, so any insistence that it is not is just ridiculous. Lets get something straight here, there are as many as 30 flights a day between the UK and Turkey, perhaps 60 a day from the originally effected cities/ countries to the UK. All except BA's one or two flights a day from IST now allow laptops. The only relevant "assesors" involved from BA are the accounting department.

timmillea

Official DoT information here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/c...ation-security
BA's page:
https://www.britishairways.com/trave...b?p_faqid=5709

tlott

Flying IST LHR tomorrow on BA.

​​​​​​Looks like this ban is still affecting me.

Is it possible to keep my laptop with me and have it checked at the gate? Or must it be in my checked bag initially? I would prefer to reduce the possibility of theft as much as possible. I know other airlines had good handling of this at the gate.

Also, are battery packs permitted in the cabin?
​​​​​​
Thank you!

Worcester

Yes other airlines have had the ban lifted. I think that tells you all you need to know...

Battery packs - no these have been banned on BA flights as well

There is no facility to gate check it. I did see someone who did not know about it hand over their laptop and I think it was going to the hold, but I would not risk it. I stow my laptop well wrapped up in a lockable suitcase. I ask them to remove the priority tags and I have a back up and insurance.

Tafflyer

Totally unacceptable really. I'm in the same position but from CAI next weekend. I've read up, researched and called BA and there is no help, guidance or assistance other than "it has to go in the hold" and "it's the UK Government's fault and we cannot change it". Most unhelpful and in the second case as we now all well know, not entirely truthful.

What worries me is that at CAI, all baggage handlers will know fairly well that almost every BA LHR tagged bag has i high chance of containing valuable electronics. Security prevents you from either wrapping or locking the bag, so it's wide open for pilfering.

Personally, I will be leaving my laptop at LHR left luggage to pick up on my way back. Next time I will be flying Egyptair, who are not "forced" by the UK Government to put all electronics in the hold.

typical

Flying out from CAI in August, my laptop was locked in my laptop bag and then put in a locked and wrapped case before checking in.

PUCCI GALORE

So much in the know are they, that here we are weeks later and nothing has changed. So, really, we Have nothing but hearsay and gossip and that does not actually add anything to the laptop/tablet ban except to say that it is still in place.

I am uninterested who or what is causing this to continue, what does interest me is how this is implemented. Does someone go through all the hand luggage at the BA gate Istanbul

BA6501

Yes, every piece of hand baggage is carefully checked and passengers receive a patdown. At least in BEY and AMM.

Worcester

Same at IST. They now say to be at the gate 1 hour before departure so less time in the lounge but fortunately BA only pay for the worst lounge in the airport so your not missing anything.

Biazzare thing it's the same procedure on the TK flights, but you are allowed on with your electronics. Different scanners which might be it.

criso

Just arrived back from Istanbul on TK. Was interested to see how they would handle things.

Random passengers were taken aside for special screening and were thoroughly patted down and all bags opened and searched thoroughly. Others like myself were just let through without so much as a glance despite carrying a laptop rucksack.

KARFA

With BA departures from IST at the moment all passengers undergo the pat down and bag search at the gate.

PUCCI GALORE

Thank you Boys for some informative answers. Now I know what actually happens. It’s a bore but there it is.

simons1

Of course if you read the full announcement it says the ban has been lifted on "some flights" and the "vast majority of carriers". Sabiha Gokcen has been cleared but IST still has restrictions. Doesn't sound like an open and shut case to me.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/c...ation-security

Personally when it comes to safety I would rely on the word of those who are on the inside. With a terror threat level of severe it is inevitable that caution will prevail and it may be BA has good and valid reasons for its current stance.

hungry

I really hope and pray this is changed before I go in Feb. Otherwise I might just leave iPad at home. It will be a nightmare....