As people in the UAE prepare for the first long weekend of the year to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, Emirates is emphasizing a busy time for outbound travel from Dubai starting on April 20. Emirates suggests that travelers get to the airport up to three hours before a flight, note the boarding time on the boarding card to make sure they get to the departure gate in time, and utilize the various check-in alternatives to cut down on time at the airport.

There are multiple ways to ensure a smooth and swift travel experience with Emirates:

1. Download the Emirates App

Passengers are encouraged to download the Emirates app on their mobile phone to get flight details at their fingertips. Users can book and change flights, download a digital boarding pass for most destinations, check what meals will be served onboard, book a chauffeur drive service and even pre-select and plan movies to watch via ice inflight entertainment.

2.       Pre-order Duty Free Shopping

Spend some leisure time browsing EmiratesRED.com and get access to exclusive Duty-Free products, which are then delivered to your seat in the air. The pre-order service is available on most flights, and passengers can shop from 21 days up to 40 hours before their flight. Passengers need to provide their flight details during checkout, and the orders are delivered by cabin crew directly to the passenger’s seat inflight for an unforgettable experience.

3.       Drop luggage the night before

An excellent and complimentary option – especially for families travelling with children – is to drop luggage the night before travel. Passengers who are departing from Dubai can check-in early and drop off their bags to the airport 24 hours before departure, or 12 hours before departure if flying to the US or Tel Aviv, and then arrive to the airport and proceed directly to immigration. 

4.       Check in online or with the Emirates app

All passengers can check in online 48 hours ahead of their flight using the online check-in option on www.emirates.com. In a few clicks, select a seat and preferred meal, and take advantage of any last-minute upgrade options.

5.       Check in remotely

Those starting their journeys from Ajman can also take advantage of a 24‑hour City Check‑in at Ajman Central Bus Terminal. Passengers can check in up to 4 hours before the flight departs, check in baggage, and collect boarding passes, buy a bus ticket for AED 20 and head directly to Emirates Terminal 3, with regular bus departures throughout the day from 4am to 11.30pm. Upon arrival at the airport, travellers can simply continue through to their flight.

6.       Check in from home

Making travel swift and smooth, Emirates also offers a home check-in service in Dubai and Sharjah, fulfilled by DUBZ. 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. Book and pay for the service at least 24 hours before the flight and passengers can proceed to the airport check-in up to six hours before the flight departs. The Home Check In service is complimentary for First Class passengers.

7.       Use the Self Check-in kiosks at the airport

A quick and easy option once at the airport are the self-check-in kiosks. Travellers can follow the steps on the touchscreen kiosk and complete the check-in process or operate the kiosk without touch using a mobile phone. It’s possible to view the travel itinerary, choose a preferred seat and add Emirates Skywards numbers, and if you’ve already checked in online, there is also an option to use the baggage drop area to check-in bags.

8.       Get extra support if required

People of Determination can access dedicated support from trained Emirates and airport staff when travelling over the Eid 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. Passengers can check the Accessible Travel page on Emirates.com for information and contact their Emirates local office with queries.

9.       Get smart with Biometrics

For First and Business Class customers departing Dubai, the Smart Tunnel at Dubai International Airport is a world-first for passport control, whereby passengers simply walk through a tunnel and are cleared by immigration authorities without human intervention or the need for a physical passport stamp. All it takes to register is a quick photo at check-in to capture facial data. Travellers can check-in, clear immigration, access the airport lounge in Concourse B, and board flights at selected gates purely by facial recognition or using their boarding pass.

10.   UAE Residents Smart Gates

Passengers can also register to use the Smart Gates at Emirates Terminal 3 and speed through Immigration every time they return to Dubai. If a UAE citizen or resident, passengers can use their passport, boarding pass or a valid UAE ID. Smart Gates can also be used by GCC national’s or a visa on arrival visitor with a biometric passport.