Emirates Airlines is preparing for a bustling week of departures from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport as the summer holiday season begins. Over 30,000 travelers are expected to leave the airport on Thursday, June 26, aboard Emirates flights, with numbers continuing to rise until June 30.
The airline advises its passengers to plan ahead for their journeys, anticipating increased traffic on routes to the airport, full parking lots, and potential congestion at airport facilities and during passport checks. Travelers are encouraged to arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to their flight to complete check-in and reach their boarding gate at least one hour before departure.
The Emirates app provides essential features including flight details, booking management, digital boarding pass downloads for most destinations, flight status notifications, meal options during the flight, the ability to pre-order meals in Business Class, and car service reservations. Additionally, travelers can check in online at Emirates.com or through the app up to 48 hours before their flight.
Emirates passengers can also enjoy the convenience of checking in their luggage the night before their journey at no extra cost. Travelers departing from Dubai can check in up to 24 hours before their flight, or 12 hours prior when traveling to the United States. As departure time approaches, customers can head directly to the passport control area at the airport.
For added convenience, travelers can utilize the check-in center at the Dubai International Financial Centre, where they can check in as early as 24 hours or as late as 4 hours before their flight. The center operates daily from 8 AM to 10 PM, offering self-service kiosks, staffed check-in counters, and assistance from ‘Sara’, the world’s first robot for check-in services.
Emirates passengers also have the option of home check-in in Dubai and Sharjah, where ‘Marhaba’ staff can come to a customer’s home, hotel, or office to complete check-in and transport luggage to the airport. This service can be booked at least 24 hours prior to departure and is complimentary for First Class travelers and Platinum members of the Emirates Skywards program.
Free trains are available in Terminal 3 for passengers moving between Concourse A and Concourse B. Emirates also operates a shuttle bus between Concourse A and Concourse C around the clock, with departures every 20 minutes and a transit time of about 20 minutes. Additionally, first-class passengers can request private carts, while all travelers can use the complimentary airport carts, prioritizing seniors, families with children, and those with disabilities.
Emirates urges its passengers to pay attention when packing their bags and to adhere to the regulations regarding prohibited items. For example, power banks are only allowed in hand luggage, not in checked bags. Smart luggage is permitted in the cabin as long as the battery is removable and complies with size and weight restrictions; the battery can remain in place if the bag is completely powered off. Electronic smoking devices, including e-cigarettes and portable fragrance vaporizers, may only be carried in hand luggage and must be secured to prevent accidental activation.
Travelers looking to save time can pre-order duty-free shopping through EmiratesRED.com, allowing them to purchase exclusive products that will be delivered directly to their seats in-flight. This service is available on most flights, and passengers can place orders from 21 days up to 40 hours before their departure by providing their flight details, enabling cabin crew to deliver items directly to their seats. The Emirates RED summer catalog features over 200 products from brands such as Hermès, Cartier, Tom Ford, Creed, and Jo Malone. Customers can also enjoy a 10% discount during Eid al-Adha by using the promotional code REDMAG at checkout.
Passengers with disabilities receive specialized support and assistance from trained Emirates staff and airport employees. This includes a pre-planning guide for travelers with hidden disabilities, two hours of free parking at the airport, access to a dedicated priority lane for check-in, passport control, and security screening, as well as priority boarding when necessary. Additional information can be found on the ‘Easy Travel’ page on the Emirates website or by contacting a local Emirates office.