Thursday, July 4, 2024
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Emirates anticipates a significant peak travel period beginning on Saturday, 6 July, as many families depart for summer holidays. Travelers are encouraged to take note of essential airport timings, enjoy complimentary Emirates ice cream, and explore various family-friendly flying options.
Emirates, known for being family-friendly, transports over one million children globally each year and provides multiple bespoke services for families. During this peak travel period, customers leaving Dubai with Emirates should plan for increased road traffic near the airport, more people going through Immigration, and the time required to travel between Concourses and reach Boarding Gates.
Follow these timelines for stress-free family travel:
- During peak travel times, arrive at the Airport: 3 hours before departure.
- Pass through Immigration: 1.5 hours before departure.
- Reach the correct Boarding Gate: 1 hour before departure.
Faster Ways for Families to Check-In
Home Check-In: Emirates customers in Dubai and Sharjah can use the Emirates Home Check-In service. Agents complete the check-in process at the customer’s home, hotel, or office, and take the bags to the flight, allowing passengers to arrive later with hand luggage. This service must be booked at least 24 hours before the flight and is complimentary for First Class passengers and Platinum Skywards members.
Use the App or Website: Download the Emirates app to book and change flights, download a digital boarding pass for most destinations, receive flight notifications, and check the in-flight menu. Customers can also purchase preferred seats and excess baggage allowance in advance, book a chauffeur drive service, and pre-select movies for in-flight entertainment. Online check-in and app check-in are available 48 hours before flight departure.
Drop Off Luggage Early: Emirates customers can drop off their luggage at the airport the night before travel at no charge. Passengers 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. This allows customers to proceed directly to the immigration area closer to departure time.
Emirates City Check-In Services
DIFC: Save time at the airport by checking in at the Emirates City Check-in and Travel Store in ICD Brookfield Place, located in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Situated in the heart of the business district, you can check in and drop off your luggage as early as 24 hours and up to 4 hours before your flight. The service is available daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Ajman: For travelers from the northern Emirates, the Ajman Central Bus Terminal offers check-in services from 24 hours up to 4 hours before your flight. This facility operates 24/7, providing flexibility and convenience.
Pre-order Duty-Free Shopping: Save even more time by pre-ordering duty-free items on EmiratesRED.com. Access exclusive products, which are delivered to your seat during the flight. You can shop from 21 days up to 40 hours before your flight by providing your flight details during checkout. Emirates cabin crew will deliver your order directly to your seat inflight.
Enjoy the Emirates Experience for Families at the Airport
Free Ice Cream: Until July 28, enjoy free ice cream for the whole family every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday between 12 PM and 6 PM. Visit the Emirates red and white striped ice cream carts in Terminal 3 to choose from flavors like vanilla, chocolate, dulce de leche, mango sorbet, and lemon sorbet.
Complimentary Strollers: At Dubai Airport, Emirates provides free baby strollers for infants and young children, ensuring comfort for tired little legs.
Dubai Airport Buggies: Also known as Dubai Taxi, these buggies are available free of charge for all customers, with priority given to the elderly, families with children, and People of Determination.
Kids Play Areas: The First and Business Class Lounges in Dubai Airport, Concourse A and B, feature kids’ play areas with arcade-quality games and Sony PlayStation terminals. The lounges also have mother and baby care rooms, comfortable feeding areas, and baby changing facilities.
Unaccompanied Minors: Emirates offers a complimentary service for unaccompanied minors aged 5-11 years. Specialist Emirates ground staff and cabin crew accompany and supervise children at every step of their journey. A dedicated lounge with video games, free Wi-Fi, comfortable sofas, and children’s bathrooms is available.
Children with Autism: For children with hidden disabilities, Emirates provides detailed information to help families plan, rehearse, and feel reassured about their travel. Check the Accessible Travel page on Emirates.com, consult the Autism Friendly Guide, and contact your local Emirates office for more information.
Family Entertainment and Comfort Onboard Emirates
Kids Meals – Emirates serves delicious and nutritious kids’ meals on almost all routes across all classes. These meals feature snackable elements to keep children satisfied. For infants, the airline provides organic baby food, milk formula, and baby bottles upon request.
Baby Amenities – Parents with babies receive an infant amenity kit, which includes diapers, a bib, lotion, and a changing mat to ensure the youngest passengers remain fresh throughout the journey. Most Emirates aircraft bathrooms are equipped with baby changing tables for added convenience.
Baby Bassinets – Parents can reserve seats with safe and comfortable bassinets for infants under 2 years old, allowing babies to sleep comfortably during the flight. Additionally, parents can bring approved car seats onboard for extra familiarity and safety.
Entertainment on ice – Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, offers kids a wide selection of movies, including new releases, Disney Classics, Marvel Studios, Star Wars collections, and the complete Harry Potter series. Kids can also enjoy shows from CBeebies, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network. The system features up to 100 video games that can be played by two players in different seats using the in-seat controllers.
Kids Keepsakes – Emirates provides a range of toys and giveaways made from sustainable materials for children of all ages. The Fly with Me magazine is a fun-filled activity magazine with puzzles, jokes, and activities for 3-8-year-olds. To create lasting memories, cabin crew can capture special moments with an instant Polaroid camera, presenting the photo in a limited-edition Emirates photo frame as a keepsake.
Free Wi-Fi – Kids enjoy free Wi-Fi messaging on all Emirates flights in all classes. By adding the membership number to the booking before the flight, children can sign up for the Emirates Skysurfers loyalty program. Young travelers between 2-17 years old can earn Skywards Miles on every Emirates and flydubai flight, which they can redeem for more flights or unique lifestyle benefits.
