Emirates is an airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which has long enjoyed a reputation for its comfortable cabins and attentive service. From humble beginnings, the airline has grown from operating with just two aircraft in 1985 to now flying the biggest fleets of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s in the world. Emirates is one of the few airlines in the world to fly an all wide-body fleet.
It offers travel in Economy, Business and First Class, and is known for its complimentary Chauffeur-drive service available in over 75 cities worldwide. The Emirates fleet can take you to over 161 destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific.
Cabin Classes
Economy
Emirates has long enjoyed a reputation for its comfortable cabins and attentive service and that’s precisely what you’ll enjoy on an Economy Class flight. Seat configurations vary between aircraft, with the majority of seats on the A380 Airbus enjoying a 32-inch pitch and an 18-inch width, while Boeing 777 aircraft boast an impressive 34-inch pitch – although the 3-4-3 seat configuration adds an extra seat per row.
Other Economy Class amenities include in-seat power supply and state-of-the-art seat-back entertainment system, a multi-course meal service and a wide range of complimentary beverages.
Business Class
Business Class seating arrangements vary between aircraft. Passengers on Airbus A380 routes enjoy a staggered seating plan, with alternating seats converting into either a 70-inch or 79-inch fully reclinable bed. All seats boast a personal mini-bar, privacy screens and touch-screen seat controls for the in-flight entertainment system.
Business Class seats on Boeing 777 flights vary between aircraft, with most featuring a fold-out video screen and an extensive recline. In-flight menus feature multi-course meals and complimentary beverages.
First Class
First Class cabins on A380-800, Boeing 777-200LR and selected Boeing 777-300ER aircraft contain private suites. Suites feature fully reclinable flat beds, personal mini-bars and are fully enclosed for privacy, while First Class passengers on A380 flights can also enjoy in-flight showers. In-flight menus include multi-course meals on long haul flights, while more than 1,500 channels are offered as part of Emirates’ ice OnDemand entertainment service .
Entertainment Options
Emirates’ award-winning in-flight entertainment offers over 1,500 channels of music, latest release movies and popular TV shows, all delivered directly to your seat.
Emirates In-flight Entertainment
Dubbed ‘ice’ for its suite of information, communication and entertainment options, Emirates provides premium in-seat content across its fleet of aircraft. Economy Class passengers on Boeing 777 flights enjoy 10-inch seat-back videos, while those aboard the A380 enjoy the same audio and video on demand ‘ice’ experience offered to all Business and First Class passengers, with highlight features including live-to-air TV and Digital Widescreen displays.
Baggage
Carry On
Carry-on allowances vary between cabin classes. Economy Class passengers are permitted to bring one piece of carry-on baggage weighing no more than 7kg on board. Business and First Class passengers are permitted to bring two pieces of baggage on board, in the form of one small cabin-size case and a non-rigid garment bag. Duty free purchases made for personal use are permitted across all cabin classes.
Remember to take your chargers for your personal electronics in your carry-on so you can use them on board.
Checked
Standard checked baggage allowances vary across Emirates cabin classes. Economy Class passengers are permitted 30kg of checked baggage, Business Class passengers can check 40kg of baggage for passage, while First Class passengers are allowed 50kg of checked baggage.
In addition to higher cabin classes, high level loyalty program members also receive increased baggage allowances.
Bulky Items
Passengers travelling with golf equipment may check one set of golf clubs and one pair of golf shoes free on charge on any Emirates flight, regardless of cabin class. All other sports equipment is subject to excess baggage charges when it exceeds maximum baggage allowance rates. Items which may include excess baggage charges include bicycles, SCUBA equipment, skis and snowboards, surfboards and body boards.
Always check with the airlines before taking bulky items as they may have to be sent as freight if they exceed weight and size limits.
Infant Baggage
Adult passengers travelling with an infant are permitted to bring one additional piece of checked baggage, as well as one carry cot or fully collapsible stroller on board. Where cabin space is insufficient to bring a carry cot or stroller on board, the items must be checked but will not count towards your checked baggage allowance.
Emirates provide pillows and blankets and changing tables in the toilets for passengers travelling with infants.
Restricted or Dangerous Goods
Dangerous goods which may represent a security or safety threat are strictly regulated for carriage on Emirates Airlines. Items such as arms and ammunitions, explosive and incendiaries – including flares and firecrackers – knives, letter openers and metal cutlery, razor blades, scissors and certain types of medical equipment must be packed and carried as checked baggage in accordance with Emirates regulations.
If you think you may be travelling with restricted goods, always check with the airline before you leave home to avoid being fined or penalised.
Check-in
Web, Mobile or Airport
Emirates passengers can check in for flights one of three ways:
Web Check-in is available up to 90 minutes before departure, with the online check-in window opening 24 hours prior to your flight. Simply print your boarding pass and proceed to security once baggage has been checked at the drop-off counter.
Mobile Check-in operates in the same way to web check-in facilities, however your e-boarding pass is displayed on your internet-capable mobile phone or tablet device.
Airport Check-in is available up to one hour before departure for First and Business Class passengers, with those travelling in Economy Class advised to check in at least three hours before their flight.
International Check-in Guide
AT HOME
Know what time you need to leave the house to get to the airport
Pack your things, check out our baggage guide
Have your flight itinerary ready
Ensure you have your valid passport ready
GETTING THERE
Be at the airport at least 120 minutes prior to scheduled departure time
AT THE AIRPORT
Proceed to check-in counter with passport and itinerary ready
Go through security
Continue through customs
Check the gate number and flight status
Sit down and get comfy!
Lounges
Emirates operate 26 dedicated international lounges across the globe, including in key hubs such as Dubai, Frankfurt, London Heathrow, Hong Kong, Paris Charles de Gaulle and New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport.
Lounge facilities include fully equipped bathroom suites and showers, free wireless internet access, fully equipped business centres, a full bar service and buffet and a broad assortment of Arabic, Western, Asian and Vegetarian cuisines.
Entry to the Lounge
Access to Emirates lounges is offered to First and Business Class travellers, as well as Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members. Selected Qantas members are also afforded access to Emirates lounges as part of a reciprocal partnership between the two airlines.
Frequent Flyer
Emirates Skywards
The Emirates Skywards frequent flyer program is an award-winning membership program offering a multitude of benefits. It’s free to join, and members can earn frequent flyer miles in the air on the ground through a diverse range of Emirates-affiliated commercial partners.
Advantages vary across membership tiers, however benefits include priority check-in and boarding, excess baggage allowances, guaranteed seats on fully-booked flights and lounge access.
Skywards Membership Levels
Blue
Emirates’ entry-level membership tier is free to join, with Blue status active between zero and 24,999 miles. Benefits include members-only travel offers and packages, waitlist priority and the opportunity to earn additional frequent flyer miles.
Silver
Emirates’ Silver membership is active between 25,000 and 49,999 miles. Benefits last for 14 months and additional advantages over Blue-tier status including the opportunity to earn Bonus Skywards Miles when flying Emirates and Emirates Lounge access in Dubai.
Gold
Emirates’ Gold membership is active between 50,000 and 149,000 miles. Benefits last for 14 months and additional advantages over Silver-tier status including guaranteed seats on fully-booked flights, lounge access throughout the Emirates network and priority baggage delivery.
Platinum
Emirates’ Platinum membership is active from 150,000 miles onwards. Benefits last for 14 months and additional advantages over Gold-tier status include ‘Last Seat’ Skywards flex rewards tickets and Gold Partner nomination, while Gold and Platinum-tier members enjoy access to Emirates and affiliate lounges across the network.