Portable Electronic Devices

For safety, the use of certain carry-on portable electronic devices is restricted as they may interfere with the aircraft navigation and control systems. We would appreciate if passengers could refrain from using any portable electronic equipment while the aircraft is taxiing, during takeoff and climb, or during approach and landing.

Electronic devices that are most likely to cause interference are amateur transceivers, CB radios, transmitting or wireless-enabled devices such as Bluetooth and remote control devices, including toys. The use of these devices is banned at all times on board.

Mobile phones must be switched off completely when the cabin doors are closed for departure and must not be turned on again until after landing. The cabin crew will advise passengers when they can switch them on again. Mobile phones may be used on the ground during transit at any time the cabin doors are open (unless otherwise instructed by cabin crew).

Other forms of electronic devices such as computer equipment (e.g. laptops and PDAs), audio/video equipment (e.g. CDs, MDs, MP3s, iPods, DVDs, VCDs, CD-ROMs), photographic equipment (e.g. camcorders and digital cameras) and devices with their wireless function disabled may be used on board from 15 minutes after takeoff until the seat belt sign is switched on in preparation for landing. The cabin crew will make an announcement to remind passengers of this safety requirement.

Please note that personal electronic device cannot be plugged into the aircraft's electrical power supply outlets.* This includes any type of charging devices. An exception is made for portable shavers which may only be used in the appropriate sockets in the lavatories.

* In-seat power for laptops will soon be available across our entire fleet.

Portable electronics ban on selected US/UK flights

The US Department of Homeland Security and the UK Department for Transport have issued security directives requiring passengers from selected airports to the US or selected countries to the UK to place all electronic devices larger than a cell phone or smart phone in their checked baggage.

At this time, Cathay Pacific passengers and flights are NOT affected by these directives except if they are in transit at any of the airports as stated below and connecting flights to the US / UK.

Restricted items

Electronic devices larger than a cell phone/smart phone will not be allowed to be carried onboard the aircraft in carry-on luggage or other accessible property. Electronic devices that exceed this size limit must be secured in checked luggage. Necessary medical devices will be allowed to remain in a passenger’s possession after they are screened.

The approximate size of a commonly available smartphone is considered to be a guideline for passengers. Examples of large electronic devices that will not be allowed in the cabin on affected flights include, but are not limited to:

• Laptops
• Tablets
• E-Readers
• Cameras
• Portable DVD players
• Electronic game units larger than a smartphone
• Travel printers/scanners

The ban does not apply to spare batteries and power banks which will continue to be allowed in cabin baggage.

Please refer to country-specific details below:

1. Flights to US

The new US security directive is effective on 21March and will be in effect indefinitely:

Applicable airports

• Cairo (CAI) in Egypt
• Amman (AMN) in Jordan
• Kuwait City (KWI) in Kuwait
• Casablanca (CMN) in Morocco
• Doha (DOH) in Qatar
• Riyadh (RUH) and Jeddah (JED) in Saudi Arabia
• Istanbul (IST) in Turkey
• Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Dubai (DXB) in the UAE

Official information can be found here and here. 

2. Flights to UK

The UK Department for Transport has also made similar announcement on 21 March to be effective with immediate effect until further notice

Applicable airports

• Egypt
• Jordan
• Lebanon
• Saudi Arabia
• Tunisia
• Turkey

Official information can be found here.