TSA will ban flyers from 13 countries from bringing laptops, tablets onboard

Enlarge / Flight attendants from Royal Jordanian attend a ceremony to induct two new Airbus jets in 2010. (credit: KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/Getty Images)

US authorities will no longer allow travelers from 13 African and Middle Eastern countries to bring computers and laptops into airplane cabins anymore, two news agencies have reported.

The new rules were laid out in an e-mail sent to airlines today by the US Transportation Safety Administration. This is according to The Guardian, which was first to report on the matter. Cell phones will still be allowed, but anything larger-including laptops, tablets, and cameras-must be put in checked baggage. CNN, citing two unnamed "administration officials," confirmed the report.

It isn't clear which airlines received the new directive, but The Guardian reports that at least Royal Jordanian and Saudia Airlines are among the airlines affected. The affected airlines have 96 hours to comply.

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