While Middle Eastern airlines grapple with carry-on bans for laptops on flights to the US and Britain, one carrier is encouraging passengers to do the unthinkable: actually talk to each other.

Royal Jordanian, one of the airlines affected by new restrictions on electronic devices bigger than mobile phones on direct flights to the US and UK, has released a tongue-in-cheek list of in-flight alternatives to staring at a screen.

"Read a book. Say hello to the person next to you. Meditate," are among the 12 lighthearted suggestions posted on its Facebook page this week. 

The post, which has received close to 10,000 likes, also advises customers to "enjoy the miracle of flight" and "analyse the meaning of life". 

The US ban will affect around 50 flights per day from nine airlines, and the British ban will hit 14 carriers.

Royal Jordanian, which operates direct flights to London, New York, Detroit and Chicago, followed up its popular post with another alternative in-flight activity: "Or do what we Jordanians do best... stare at each other!" 

Source: AFP