Finnair tightens security on U.S.-bound flights

HELSINKI, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Finnish airline company Finnair tightened security on U.S.-bound flights on Saturday at the request of U.S. authorities following an attempted terror attack on a Christmas Day flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, Finnsih media reported on Saturday.

According to the new guidelines issued by the United States to Finnair on Saturday morning, passengers must now undergo a second security screening right before boarding U.S.-bound planes. Air travelers can now expect more pat-down searches.

In addition, the new restrictions include bans on in-flight satellite phone and internet use. All hand luggage must also be stored in overhead bins an hour before landing. Passengers are forbidden from keeping anything in their laps. For example, passengers may not hold blankets or pillows in their laps during landing.

Finnair crews have also been instructed not to inform passengers of the plane's exact location when flying in U.S. airspace.

Finnair operates flights to Miami and New York. Finnair's spokeswoman Paivi Huuhtanen said on Saturday that she doesn't know how long the new rules will be in effect.