Laptop ban: Passengers will turn back to books, finds HolidayPirates

More than two thirds of Brits surveyed by HolidayPirates say they would read a book if the laptop ban was extended so they had to keep gadgets in the hold. The extended ban was rejected earlier this week, but “other … Continue reading →

More than two thirds of Brits surveyed by HolidayPirates say they would read a book if the laptop ban was extended so they had to keep gadgets in the hold.

The extended ban was rejected earlier this week, but “other measures” are still being considered.

But a cabin ban on electronics larger than the size of a smartphone in the cabin was introduced in March on flights from Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to the US.

The UK issued a similar ban on flights from six countries.

Travel site Holiday Pirates’ survey asked respondents what they would do instead of using their large electronics, and 68% said they would read a book.

It also found that 28% of people intend to get more sleep on flights, while 14% would attempt to talk to the person next to them in lieu of using their laptop or tablet.

Tony Rosa, UK head of market for HolidayPirates, said: “While there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the implications of a ban on bringing laptops and tablets into the cabin on flights, it’s nice to know that people will take the chance to read – something many of us today do too little.

“The recent resurgence in book sales demonstrates a cultural swing back away from people being glued to their screens, and going abroad has long been an opportunity for people to rekindle a love of reading. Clearly, though, the cliché of not wanting to be drawn into conversation with the traveller next to you still holds firm for lots of us.”