How the laptop ban could change the course of in-flight entertainment
The looming prospect of an international ban on laptops and iPads in cabins could have a dramatic impact on the future of in-flight entertainment.
The UK this week followed the lead of the US in restricting large electronic devices in the cabin on flights from selected airports in Muslim-majority countries. It will come into force this Saturday at the latest, the Government said.
But security experts believe the rule could become the international standard, forcing all travellers to leave iPads and laptops at home or in their hold luggage. Such a move could scupper airlines’ increasing shift towards BYO entertainment and severely disrupt business travellers hoping to work in the air.
“It will affect parents trying to entertain their kids, to be honest. It’s a bit of a nightmare,” said Dr Kevin Curran, a professor of cyber security and expert in aviation technology.
“A lot of airlines have moved more to iPads, whether they're expecting people to bring them or they hand out tablets or have them integrated into their consoles, though you'd think those would be given clearence. But it’s another blow. There’s no way to spin it good for them.
“Other carriers are still using old equipment with poor quality screens, which forces people to rely on their tablets or laptops.
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“I do think there is a security threat from some devices, but this is taking a sledgehammer to kill a fly.”
Curran said the ban might encourage airlines to invest in their own entertainment systems.
“This is an opportunity for airlines to improve what they offer,” he said.
That would be in stark contrast to the current trend.
Earlier this year, American Airlines announced its new Boeing 747 Max aircraft - intended for domestic routes - would not have built-in video screens as, the carrier said, more than 90 per cent of its passengers already being a device or screen with them.
Low-cost, long-haul airlines WOWair and Norwegian both encourage passengers to bring their own devices. WOWair says: “There is no organised entertainment programme on board our aircraft… We therefore recommend that our guests bring something fun along with them, especially when travelling with children.”
Norwegian does have seat-back consoles on long-haul routes flown by its 787 Dreamliners, but on other short-haul flights says passengers should “bring your own device, connect and surf away”.
The history of in-flight entertainment
Though the ban does not yet affect any of the three airlines’ routes, James Wood, a travel risk expert at International SOS, thinks the restrictions could be extended.
“It is likely to be in force for some time - months, rather than days or weeks,” he said. “The specifics could evolve in the future, as they did following the 2006 transatlantic airliner plot, when initially all hand baggage, less essential items such as medication and baby food, was banned from cabins.
“In the nearer term, other countries are likely to announce their own steps. The UK and US have intelligence-sharing relationships with numerous countries: Canada has already announced it has received information from the US and is analysing it for potential action, and European governments are almost certainly undertaking a similar review.”
