Record numbers of Emirates customers to 'fly better' this festive season

International

Emirates recommends that customers plan their travel carefully this December, as departure numbers throughout the festive month are significantly higher than last year.

Last year, more than 75,000 Emirates customers departed Dubai International Airport daily, but in 2024 – these numbers have risen as high as 89,000 on some days, representing an increase of almost 20%.

The busiest days for Emirates customer departures are set to be 12 -15 December, 20 - 22 December just before Christmas, while 27, 28, 29 December just before New Year’s Eve are also slated to see more than 88,000 customer departures per day.

Emirates customers are advised to arrive at the airport up to 3 hours before a flight and take note of their boarding time to ensure they reach the departure gate on time. Travellers can take advantage of a wide array of check-in and baggage drop options from Emirates City Check In & Travel Store, to newly refurbished First and Business Class Check-In areas at Dubai International Airport, to private home check-in services and remote check-in facilities.

Download the Emirates App to check in online

Download the Emirates app for flight details at your fingertips. Book and change flights, download a digital boarding pass for most destinations, get notifications about your flight, check what meals will be served, pre-order your hot meal in Business Class, book a chauffeur drive service and even pre-select and plan movies to watch via ice inflight entertainment. Customers can also check in on Emirates.com. Online check-in and app check-in are both open 48 hours ahead of flight departure time.

Drop luggage off at the airport the day before

Emirates customers can drop off luggage at the airport the night before travel at no charge. Customers who are departing from Dubai can check-in early and drop off their bags 24 hours before departure, or 12 hours before departure if flying to the US. Then closer to departure time, customers can proceed directly to the immigration area in the airport.

Swift check in at the Emirates City Check In & Travel Store

Save time at airport and check in at the Emirates City Check‑in and Travel Store in ICD Brookfield Place, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) instead. Conveniently located in the heart of the business district, Emirates customers can check in, drop luggage and enjoy the glamorous surrounds, as early as 24 hours and up to 4 hours before a flight. Customers can check in anytime from 8:00am to 10:00pm daily, beginning their travel experience with seamless service via self check-in kiosks, at dedicated desks with Emirates agents or via the world's first robot check in agent- Sara.

Check-In for Emirates flights in Ajman

Those starting their journeys from Ajman can also take advantage of a 24‑hour City Check‑in at Ajman Central Bus Terminal. Customers can check in up to 4 hours before the flight departs, check in baggage and collect boarding passes. Upon arrival at the airport, travellers can continue through to their flight.

Check in from your own home

Emirates customers can also opt to check in at home in Dubai and Sharjah. DUBZ agents complete the check-in process in the customer’s home, hotel, or office, and take the bags to the flight while customers are free to breeze through the airport later. Travellers can book at least 24 hours before a flight and proceed to the airport check-in up to six hours before the flight departs. The Emirates Home Check-In service is complimentary for First Class customers and Skywards Platinum Members.

Enjoy the world-class airport experience at Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Customers can choose to use Emirates’ self check-in kiosks at the airport if they haven’t already checked in online, and view the travel itinerary, choose a preferred seat and add Emirates Skywards numbers, and use the baggage drop area to check-in bags. In Dubai International Airport, the Emirates First and Business Class Check In areas have been revamped, provided a serene area to check in. In Dubai International Airport, Emirates offers priority boarding for families, ensuring kids don’t wait too much and have more time to get settled into their seat, as well as free baby strollers for infants and younger kids in Dubai Airport, providing comfort for tired little legs.

Make sure your baggage meets the requirements

Emirates requests that customers are vigilant while packing bags and follow the restricted items procedures. Customers should take note of rules such as power banks are allowed in hand baggage but not allowed in checked baggage. Smart bags are allowed in the cabin if the battery is removable and within the cabin baggage size and weight limits. The battery can remain installed as long as the smart bag is completely powered off. E-cigarettes including e-cigars, e-pipes, Electric Portable Incense (Perfume) Burner or other personal vaporizers containing batteries must be individually protected to prevent accidental activation, and are only allowed as carry on luggage.

Pre Order your Duty-Free shopping

Customers who wish to save even more time can pre-order Duty-Free Shopping on EmiratesRED.com and get access to exclusive Duty-Free products, which are then delivered to their seat in the air. The pre-order service is available on most flights, and customers can shop from 21 days up to 40 hours before their flight, providing their flight details during checkout. Cabin crew then deliver the order directly to the customer’s seat inflight.

Special assistance for People of Determination

People of Determination can access dedicated support from trained Emirates and airport staff when travelling over the festive period. This includes a pre-planning guide for Dubai International Airport (DXB) for those with hidden disabilities, 2 hours complimentary parking at the airport and access to a dedicated priority lane for check-in, passport control, security and priority boarding if required. Customers can check the Accessible Travel page on Emirates.com for information and contact their Emirates local office with queries.