BA to allow passengers board flights with flat phone batteries

Considering the worsening security situation amid growing terrorist attacks globally, the U.S. Department of Transport has come out with a new regulation mandating airlines, particularly flying out of Africa, Middle East and Europe, to debar passengers from boarding their flights who are unable to switch on their mobile phones, tablets or laptops when asked to do so by airline officials. This regulation is also applicable to British Airways and its customers boarding flights to/from the UK.

British Airways said that it will comply with the guidelines, but won’t debar passengers traveling with flat phone batteries. In a major climbdown, the airline authorities said that it will allow its customers to board the flights whose mobile phone batteries are flat, but they will be allowed to travel only without their electronic devices in such cases. However, the new security guidelines have clearly said that such passengers will not be permitted to board their flights to the U.S. in any case when they are unable to switch on their electronic devices when asked to do so.

Keeping in line with the security guidelines issued by the United States, British Airways had earlier said that its customers will not be permitted to board their flights when they are not able to switch on their electronic devices whenever asked to do so. The airline however reversed its position on the issue within 24 hours of announcement and offered the customers option to rebook on a later flight and leave their electronic gadgets behind at the airport to be collected on return flight, or receive devices at the address of their choice. Other airlines flying to the U.S. from the UK like Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic Airways also chose to emulate British Airways.