LAPTOP BAN May Expand To USA Bound Flights From the UK and Europe

LAPTOP BAN May Expand To USA Bound Flights From the UK and Europe

Earlier today, headlines started to pop up suggesting that the TSA was entertaining the idea of expanding the current Laptop ban to include the whole of Europe, including the UK.  Mind you, this is a TSA that has a 95% failure rate when it comes to screening tests.

Currently the ban applies to certain carriers operating from certain Mid-Eastern countries, so news of the ban being expanding comes as a bit of a frustrating surprise.

Homeland Security officials in the USA have not commented on this other than the generic and predictable ‘We’re considering all options and have not made any decisions’ type of worthless commentary.

Any new policy or expansion of the existing version would mean that a device larger than a ‘Smart Phone’ would be considered too large to bring aboard, including any kind of laptop or tablet device.

Maybe at this point, major US and European carriers will speak up against the ridiculous policy and sway their respective governments.   Now that the shoe may be put on the other foot, lets see how non-Mideast carriers will respond.

Predictably to this point, the non-M/E carriers have not spoken out against the current ban since the existing policy hurts their competitors.   Let’s see what kind of whining we’ll get if everyone has to play by the same rules, regardless of how stupid and ineffective the rules would be.

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Star Alliance Route Announcements:  April 18 – April 25, 2017

Star Alliance Route Announcements: April 18 – April 25, 2017

AIR CHINA:

Beijing – Pyongyang effective May 5 will resume 2x/week service (Prior to 2 week suspension it was 3x/week service).

 

COPA: 

Panama City – Denver effective December 11 will BEGIN 4x/week service.

 

ETHIOPIAN: 

Addis Ababa – Bangkok – Jakarta 3x/week service effective June 7 is CANCELLED, replaced by Addis Ababa – Bangkok only (No service to Jakarta).

 

EVA:

Taipei – Guam effective June 10 2x/week service is CANCELLED.

 

SAS:

Helsinki – Malaga effective November 4 will BEGIN 1x/week service (Saturdays).

Stockholm – Eilat effective October 28 will BEGIN 1x/week service (Saturdays).

 

TURKISH:

Ordu-Giresun – Stuttgart effective July 18 will BEGIN 1x/week service.

 

PREVIOUS STAR ALLIANCE ROUTE ANNOUNCEMENT

H/T:  RoutesOnline.com

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A Few Hours Remain For Ex-UK Fare Sale

A Few Hours Remain For Ex-UK Fare Sale

Today is the last day of Lufthansa’s 72-hour sale for flights originating out of the UK.

Fares from the UK to most European destination range in the £110-£130 range, however there are pockets of even better pricing such as London to Geneva for only £68 or Aberdeen to Frankfurt for £95.

The fare sale runs through Midnight tonight (April 23).    The best fares are found for mid-week travel dates and require either a Saturday night stay, or a 5 night stay.   Weekend surcharges apply if traveling Thursday – Sunday.

a close-up of a plane