Travelling via Dubai during Eid Al Adha? Emirates issues advisory

Dubai: As Dubai departure numbers rise in the approach to the Eid Al Adha holiday, Emirates has issued a comprehensive travel advisory for passengers using the airport from June 1-9.  

Emirates has highlighted the high volume of customers expected during this time and has advised passengers to allow for extra travel time and consider utilising online check-in to streamline the airport experience.

Last year, Dubai International Airport (DXB) welcomed a record-breaking 92.3 million passengers in 2024. The hub is forecast to handle 96 million passengers this year.

To ensure the travel journey remains seamless, here are a few things travellers need to keep in mind:

Arrive early

Emirates has urged passengers 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.

Choose seamless

Emirates customers may need to plan for extra traffic on the roads approaching the airport, more people at the airport going through Immigration, and the time it may take to travel between Concourses and reach Boarding Gates.

Here are the recommended times:

• In peak travel times, arrive at the Airport 3 hours before departure

• Ensure you pass through Immigration 1.5 hours before departure

• Ensure you reach your correct Boarding Gate 1 hour before departure

Go digital

Emirates has advised passengers to access flight details easily using the Emirates app. Here are the benefits of using the app: Book and change flights, download a digital boarding pass for most destinations, get notifications about the 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.

Passengers 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 passengers can drop off luggage at the airport the night before travel at no charge. If flying to the US, passengers from Dubai can check in early and drop off their bags 24 hours before departure or 12 hours before departure. Then, closer to departure time, customers can proceed directly to the immigration area at the airport.

Use Emirates city check-in and travel store

Save time at the airport and check-in at the Emirates City Check‑in and Travel Store in ICD Brookfield Place, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) instead. Passengers can check in and drop off luggage as early as 24 hours and up to 4 hours before a flight.

Passengers can check in anytime from 8 am to 10 am 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 from home

Passengers can also opt to check in at home in Dubai and Sharjah. Agents can complete the check-in process at the passenger’s home, hotel, or office and take the bags to the flight so they can arrive later with hand luggage.

The service needs to be booked at least 24 hours before a flight. The Home Check-In service is complimentary for First Class passengers and Platinum Skywards members.

Utilise transport options at the airport

When moving between Concourse A and Concourse B, Emirates passengers can use the complimentary train in Terminal 3. Emirates also offers a shuttle bus service between Concourse A and Concourse C, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The bus departs every 20 minutes, and the average travel time is also 20 minutes.

The Pickup and Drop-off points are at marked connection desks - the Arrival Level adjacent to the Central Connection Desk in Concourse A and Connection Desk E - Duty-Free Level in Concourse C.

Buggies and taxis

First-class passengers can also use dedicated Emirates buggies, available on request throughout the airport. At the same time, Dubai Airport Buggies (also called Dubai Taxi) are free of charge for all customers, with priority extended to older adults, families with children and People of Determination.

Baggage requirements

Emirates said passengers must stay vigilant while packing bags and follow the procedures for restricted items.

They are advised to take note of the rules:

• 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) burners or other personal vaporisers containing batteries, must be individually protected to prevent accidental activation and are only allowed as carry-on luggage.

Pre-order Duty-Free shopping

Passengers 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 seats 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. The cabin crew then deliver the order directly to the customer’s seat on the flight.

Emirates RED’s new summer catalogue features over 200 products from brands like Hermes, Cartier, Tom Ford, Creed and Jo Malone. During Eid Al Adha, Emirates RED is offering an exclusive 10 per cent discount for customers using the code ‘REDMAG’ at checkout.

Support people of determination

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

And finally, grab your free ice cream

Passengers travelling through Dubai International on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday between 12 and 6 pm can scoop a free Emirates ice cream for the whole family.

From June 6 - 20, the airline will have four eye-catching ice cream carts positioned around the various departure areas, inviting customers to indulge in mango, chocolate or strawberry ice cream or a passionfruit or raspberry sorbet before setting off on holiday.