There are various ways to travel stress-free at the Dubai airport, from dropping luggage the previous day to checking in online.
Airports in the UAE see long queues at airline check-in counters annually ahead of the two-month summer vacation when families jet off for annual holidays. However, a senior airline executive has said that these lines during peak travel periods could be reduced by about 25 per cent if more customers check-in online or at alternative locations. Most alternative ways of checking in are free.
The airline expects to fly 2.6 million travellers from Dubai International Airport during the peak travel rush period. The busiest day at the airport is expected to be Saturday, July 6. The executive said, "During peak travel periods, queuing time could be about 20 minutes on average. However, we want our customers to wait no more than 15. It is straightforward to check in online or on the app and then use self-service kiosks to drop off their baggage,".
Four Ways to Skip Queues
Checking in via the application or online is the most popular method among passengers, with nearly 50 per cent using it. It opens 48 hours ahead of flight departure time. Passengers and tourists can also drop their luggage off at the airport the day before for free. "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. Then, closer to departure time, customers can proceed directly if flying to the US. Then, closer to departure time, customers can proceed directly to the immigration area in the airport," said Al Tamimi.
At the airline's city check-in facility in Dubai International Financial Centre, passengers can drop off luggage as early as 24 hours and up to four hours before a flight. The airline also has a 24-hour city check-in facility at Ajman Central Bus Terminal. With home check, agents complete the process at the customer's home hotel or office and take the bags onto the flight so that they can arrive later with hand luggage. The service is complimentary for first-class passengers and Platinum Skywards members.
Al Tamimi said, "All Emirates check-in options are open to every customer, including families with children and people of determination. The only exception is customers travelling to the US. Due to US regulations, those customers must come to the airport check-in areas to present their documents in person."
Travel Bag Free
Etihad Airways said it is looking forward to one of its "busiest ever summers", with around five million travellers expected at the Zayed International Airport between June and September. Home check-in service is also available from Dh220 "for up to four bags irrespective of the number of passengers". At the Abu Dhabi airport, these passengers can skip the queues for free at the airport. Passengers using the online check-in facility can take their luggage to automated self-service bag drops at the terminal. The airline has also introduced off-site check-in and bag drop facilities, providing passengers with 2000 guest miles from June 10 to August 15. These sites are available at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, which is open 24 hours: the Fountains-YAS Mall, Mussafah and Al Ain.
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