Uncover Vital Facts About Emirates

Emirates was founded on March 15, 1985, by Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum (the airline's present Chairman) and commenced operating on October 25 of the same year. It is one of the flag carriers of the UAE (United Arab Emirates), headquartered in Al Garhoud, Dubai. The Emirates Group is the airline's parent company. Emirates Airlines is the largest airline in the Middle East and one of the largest globally in terms of scheduled revenue passenger kilometers flown and freight tonnes kilometers flown. It manages a fleet of over 250 aircraft, comprising a mix of Airbus and Boeing planes. The airline has multiple subsidiaries, including Arabian Adventures, Emirates Holidays, Emirates Tours, and many more.

Types of classes or cabins in Emirates

Emirates understands that every traveler has different plans, purposes, expectations, and budgets. This is why, in order to cater to each customer appropriately, the airline offers varied cabin classes, featuring distinct in-flight services, ticket costs, and other features. This ensures passengers can choose and book the flight class that best suits them, enhancing their flight experience. Here's a list of the Emirates cabin classes, each mentioned with its respective services and facilities:

• Economy Class is the most basic and affordable cabin class in the Emirates, but it offers the least booking flexibility. The following are the services and facilities it provides:
  • Multicourse regional meals with complimentary beverages
  • Over 6,500 channels of entertainment streaming on on-seat screens
  • Complimentary amenity kits on long-haul flights, filled with essentials
• Premium Economy is a relatively better cabin class compared to Economy Class, providing better in-flight services at still affordable rates. Below are the benefits you can experience from it:
  • Sophisticated cabin interior made with plush materials
  • Cream leather seats, featuring extra space, adjustable headrests, and a deeper recliner
  • Enjoy your premium meal on Royal Doulton china tableware with stainless steel cutlery
  • In-flight entertainment system with a 13.3-inch HD TV, featuring thousands of movies, TV shows, and more
• Business Class is one of the premium cabin classes Emirates offers, with exceptional onboard amenities. Here are the amenities the Business Class provides:
  • In-flight entertainment system, featuring a 23-inch HD TV
  • Lie-flat soft leather fabric seats with bedding amenities
  • Gourmet cuisine with the facility to pre-order meals
• First Class is Emirates' most premium cabin class, which is why it features expensive ticket prices and world-class facilities. The following are the services and facilities Emirates First Class offers:
  • Onboard shower spa, and the ultimate lounge bar
  • Own private hotel room with temperature controls and mood lighting
  • Soft leather seating reminiscent of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  • Exclusive Emirates Private Collection Bvlgari amenity kits
  • Sumptuous à la carte cuisine complemented with tasty midnight snacks

Emirates Hub

Dubai International Airport (DXB) serves as the hub for Emirates, through which the airline manages most of its domestic and international flights.

Top Emirates International Destinations

Emirates flies to approximately 150 destinations in 80 nations across six continents. The following are some of the most prominent international destinations the airline flies to:

• Amsterdam (AMS)
• Beijing (PEK)
• Boston (BOS)
• Brisbane (BNE)
• Cairo (CAI)
• Chicago (ORD)
• Delhi (DEL)
• Geneva (GVA)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• Mexico City (MEX)

Emirates Codeshare Partners

Emirates has an extensive flight network, providing connectivity to endless domestic and international destinations. However, particular destinations are not a part of their network. This is why they are in a codeshare partnership with multiple airlines, enabling travelers to fly to destinations beyond their network and ensuring better global connectivity and seamless transfers among airlines. Here's a list of all the Emirates' codeshare partners:

• Aegean Airlines
• Air Canada
• Air Mauritius
• Air Seychelles
• airBaltic
• Avianca
• Azul Brazilian Airlines
• Bangkok Airways
• Batik Air Indonesia
• Batik Air Malaysia
• China Southern Airlines
• Condor
• Copa Airlines
• flydubai
• Garuda Indonesia
• Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes
• Gulf Air
• Icelandair
• ITA Airways
• Japan Airlines
• Jetstar Airways
• Jetstar Asia
• KM Malta Airlines
• Korean Air
• Qantas
• Royal Air Maroc
• South Africa Airlink
• South African Airways
• TAP Air Portugal
• Thai Airways International
• Tunisair
• United Airlines
• WestJet

Emirates Booking Process

Emirates makes it incredibly hassle-free and effortless for customers to find and book the flight of their choice. Its user-friendly, interactive, and responsive online flight booking process simplifies the process of booking the desired flight, saving time and effort. Here's what you need to do to book a suitable Emirates flight online:

• To commence the procedure, go to the official website of Emirates - www.emirates.com.
• By default, a booking section will appear on the home page under the 'Search flights' tab.
• Fill out the flight booking section with the requested details and press the 'Continue' button.
• Select the desired flight from the provided options and customize your itinerary to continue.
• Pay the applicable charges at the payment gateway to complete the flight booking process.
• The airline will notify you with a ticket confirmation email to your registered email address.

Emirates Flight Change or Cancellation Policy

Abiding by the airline's guidelines is highly essential to ensure you can make the desired changes to your bookings without facing any trouble. Do you find reading the airline's policies a time-consuming and demanding task? No worries; here's the solution. Below is a summarized view of Emirates' flight change and cancellation policy, discussing its indispensable elements:

• Emirates charges a flight change or cancellation fee based on the passengers' fare type and other factors, such as the flight route and destination.
• If you withdraw your bookings within 24 hours of ticket purchases, you may not be required to pay any fee for making changes to your bookings.
• Premium Cabin Class customers and Loyalty Program (Skywards) members may receive complimentary flight changes based on membership tier.
• Passengers can make changes to their existing bookings online even if the ticket is partially used and they have flown a specific part of their flight.
• Any changes made to your bookings will apply to all the passengers on the selected bookings; contact the airline's agents for individual changes.
• The flight change/cancellation fee varies from passenger to passenger, depending on whether they have purchased a refundable or non-refundable fare.

Emirates Flight Change or Cancellation Process

In addition to effortless flight bookings, Emirates offers a dedicated online channel called the "Manage booking" tab, which makes it easier for passengers to modify their existing flight bookings. It enables them to change or cancel their existing bookings without putting in much effort. Follow the steps below to learn how to request an online Emirates flight change or cancellation:

• Visit the official website of Emirates (www.emirates.com) to get started.
• Select the 'Manage booking/Check in' tab from the menu on the home page.
• Enter your 'Last name' and 'Booking reference' in their respective fields.
• Press the 'Manage booking' button to access your existing flight bookings.
• Visit the 'Cancel/Change Flight' section and follow the prompts on the screen.
• Pay the requested fee (if any) to finalize the changes to your flight bookings.
• The airline will send you an acknowledgment email, confirming your changes.

Emirates Loyalty Program

Emirates Skywards is a free-to-join, tier-based frequent flyer program that Emirates offers. It aims to reward enrolled members with varied allowances and special amenities based on their membership status. From earning miles to accessing exclusive discounts and deals, the loyalty program benefits the members in multiple ways. The following are the different membership tiers of Emirates Skywards:

• Emirates Skywards Blue (Standard Membership Tier)
• Emirates Skywards Silver (Earn 25,000 Tier Miles or take 25 flights)
• Emirates Skywards Gold (Earn 50,000 Tier Miles or take 50 flights)
• Emirates Skywards Platinum (Earn 150,000 Tier Miles or more and take at least one qualifying flight in First/Business Class)

How Do I Join the Emirates Loyalty Program?

To enjoy the loyalty program benefits, you are required to enroll yourself into it. This is why learning the enrollment procedures is immensely essential. Follow the steps below to learn how to enroll in Emirates Skywards:

• To initiate the process, browse the official website of Emirates - www.emirates.com.
• Click on the 'Loyalty' tab at the top of the home page to view the drop-down menu.
• Press the 'Join Emirates Skywards' link under the 'Emirates Skywards' heading.
• Fill out the loyalty program enrollment form with the requested details to continue.
• Once you press the 'Create an account' button, you will become a Skywards member.

Emirates Loyalty Program Benefits

Emirates Skywards offers a plethora of benefits in the form of special services and facilities that enhance your travel experience and make your bookings budget-friendly. It is worth noting that these benefits vary based on your membership status. The following are some of the advantages you can relish as an Emirates Loyalty Program member:

• Earn and Redeem Miles: As an Emirates Skywards member, you can earn miles when transacting with the airline, its codeshare airlines, or affiliate brands. Use these miles to book your flight, purchase in-flight services, and everything at discounted prices. Moreover, the miles can be used to upgrade to a higher membership status.
• Complimentary Amenities: In addition to miles, the airline offers various services and facilities for free, saving money and making travel more affordable. Some examples of these amenities include complimentary seat selection, free home check-in, complimentary flight upgrades, and free access to the Emirates Business or First Class Lounge at selected airports.
• Priority Services are offered to loyalty program members to facilitate their travel experience. These services include priority check-in, reserved booking priority in Economy/Business Class on sold-out flights, priority baggage delivery, and preferred seating. Thus, all segments of their journey become more manageable and seamless, from the airport commute to boarding their flight.
• Additional Allowances: Emirates Skywards members receive various additional allowances compared to ordinary passengers, making their journey more comfortable and enjoyable. Some examples of these services include special member-only offers, nominating a personal travel coordinator, a WhatsApp chat support service, free unlimited chat onboard, and so on.

Emirates Refund Policy

Emirates not only ensures that passengers can cancel their flight effortlessly but also makes sure that they can recover the money spent on ticket purchases without hassle. This is why they offer a flexible refund policy to facilitate the refund procedure. The following pointers discuss the vital elements of Emirates' refund policy:

• Whether Emirates will provide you a refund for flight cancellation depends on the fare type you purchased.
• Refundable ticket customers can request a refund for the amount of the ticket they have not flown or used.
• Non-refundable fare type passengers may receive a travel credit, which can be used for future flight bookings.
• The airline may take up to 15 business days to credit the refund using the same payment mode as used for purchasing the ticket.
• Elite Skywards Members and Premium Cabin Customers may receive a refund if they cancel their flight within 24 hours of booking.

Emirates Seat Upgrade Procedure

No need to worry in case you mistakenly chose the wrong seats during the Emirates booking process. The airline allows you to modify your existing bookings and select new seats so you can fly comfortably. Follow the steps below to learn how to request an online seat upgrade with Emirates:

• Go to the official website of Emirates (www.emirates.com) to commence.
• Tap the 'Manage booking/Check-in' tab from the menu on the home page.
• Enter your 'Last name' and 'Booking Reference' in their respective fields.
• Press the 'Manage Booking' button to view your existing flight bookings.
• Go to the 'Seat Selection/Upgrade' section to access the 3D seat map.
• Select the desired seat from the available ones and pay the applicable fee.
• The airline will confirm your seat bookings depending on availability.

Emirates Pet Policy

Do you find the flight journey with your pet pretty hectic? If so, this will not be the case when you are traveling with Emirates because of its pet-friendly and flexible travel guidelines. Reading the airline's pet policy is crucial to ensure a hassle-free flight journey for you and your pet. Here are the guidelines that you need to adhere to when traveling with a pet with Emirates:

• Emirates permits customers to bring domestic dogs, cats, and birds onboard, which will be transported based on size and weight.
• Passengers are required to fill out and submit the pet travel form at least one week before the scheduled flight departure.
• There are no restrictions on the number of pets you can carry on Emirates flights. However, your pet must be at least four months old.
• The pet must stay inside its carrier throughout the flight journey. The carrier must be leak-proof, escape-proof, spacious, and well-ventilated.
• The pet carrier's total dimensions must not exceed 300 cm (118 in). Your pet will be transported as cargo if the carrier exceeds these dimensions.
• A maximum of two adult animals of comparable size weighing up to 14 kg each may be shipped in the same container, provided they are cohabited.

Emirates Name and Date of Birth Change Policy

There can be situations when you mistakenly make a name, date of birth, or other booking details error. No need to worry about such mistakes when traveling with Emirates because it allows you to rectify them. For seamless processing and correction of such changes, you need to abide by the airline's guidelines. Below is the Emirates Name and Date of Birth Change Policy:

• Passengers are required to reach out to the Emirates Contact Center or Ticket Offices to request a name correction.
• The airline charges no name change fee for flight bookings made directly through the airline's website.
• Customers are required to request the name change at least two hours before the scheduled flight departure.
• Name alterations must be requested and reflected in your ticket before you complete the first flight of your itinerary.
• For legal name changes, passengers can request the name corrections at any time throughout their flight journey.

Emirates Group Booking

When traveling with ten or more people on a single booking, you need to request group travel. Emirates provides a dedicated and systematic channel through which you can make your group bookings, making the process more manageable and effortless. Here's how to request an online group travel to Emirates:

• To begin, visit the official website of Emirates - www.emirates.com.
• Click on the 'Help' tab from the menu at the top of the home page.
• Tap the 'Help and contacts' link from the drop-down menu to proceed ahead.
• Scroll to the 'Email us with your requests' section and select 'Group Bookings.'
• Fill out the group booking form with the requested travel details and tap 'Submit.'
• The airline will soon follow up on your group travel request and assist accordingly.

Types of Discounts or Offers on Emirates

Emirates launches various types of deals and offers throughout the year to make the customers' flight journey more affordable and seamless. The following are some of the prominent deals and discounts the airline offers:

• Student Discount: Using the promo code "STUDENT," students aged between 16 and 31 can save up to 10% on Economy Class and 5% on Premium Economy and Business Class fares. Moreover, they will receive additional baggage allowance and many more benefits.
• Skywards Offers: Emirates Skywards members can access a wide variety of deals and discounts, including Fly with Miles, Book Now & Pay Over Time, My Emirates Pass, and many more.

Emirates Coupon Code

Travel vouchers or coupons are one of the most common ways to make your flight bookings affordable. However, many travelers do not know how to use them. Follow the steps below to learn how to apply the coupon code when booking with Emirates:

• Go to the official website of Emirates (www.emirates.com) to commence the procedure.
• By default, a booking section will appear on the home page under the 'Search flights' tab.
• Click the 'Advanced search: multicity, promo codes, partner airlines' link to proceed further.
• Tap 'Use promotional code,' enter the coupon code in the 'Promotional code' field, and press 'Apply.'
• Fill out the rest of the required details in the flight booking form and press the 'Search flights' button.
• Choose the desired flight from the given options, customize your itinerary, and pay the discount fare. 
• The airline will shortly notify you with a ticket confirmation email to your registered email address.

Get Last Minute Deals on Emirates

Most travelers prefer not to book their flights at the last moment because of the highly priced tickets. However, travel plans can arise at any time, even at the last minute. The following are some tips that will help you find and access the last-minute deals with Emirates easily and make your bookings affordable:

• Emirates Newsletter Subscription: Subscribe to the Emirates newsletter to be the first one to get updates about their latest offers, last-minute deals, and other crucial information. The newsletter subscription link is available on the airline's website, and a subscription fee may be charged. Being notified about the airline's deals allows you to access them before they expire.
• Join Emirates Skywards: Enroll in the airline's loyalty program (Emirates Skywards) to enjoy various benefits, including inexpensive fares for last-minute bookings. Moreover, you can easily access multiple deals and offers. You will be provided with various allowances based on your membership tier, making your flight bookings more affordable even when booking at the last moment.
• Visit the Emirates Social Media Handles​​​​​​: The airline notifies customers about its last-minute deals and latest offers through social networking sites. So stay active on the social media channels, make sure to follow them, and turn on the "Notifications" so you never miss an update about their deals and offers.
• Use Travel Vouchers or Coupons: Apply the coupon or voucher code in the "Promo Code" field during the online flight booking process so you can claim the applicable discount and make your bookings affordable. You can also use these coupons when traveling with Emirates' codeshare airlines.

Emirates International Travel Rules

Managing an international trip is quite a challenging task because you have to consider multiple rules and regulations as you fly across nations. Here are some rules that you must adhere to ensure a hassle-free international flight journey with Emirates:

• Pack your bags light and carry only the essentials to ensure they are within the permissible weight and size limits, ensuring seamless processing through baggage check-in.
• You are advised to arrive at the airport at least two to three hours before the scheduled flight departure to ensure you have sufficient time to complete the airport procedures.
• Carry all the necessary documents (original flight tickets, a valid visa/passport, etc.), especially when traveling with an individual with special needs or severe medical conditions.
• Reach the airport on time if you want to check in at the airport check-in counter. Otherwise, you must prefer to check in online to ensure a hassle-free and effortless check-in.
• Avoid carrying the "Restricted or Dangerous Items," such as undeclared ammunition, explosives, lithium batteries, etc., so you can seamlessly complete the security clearance.

Cheapest Time or Date of Booking Emirates

The duration at which you book your flight also influences the booking prices because the ticket price fluctuates on a daily basis. The following are generally the most affordable days to book an Emirates flight:

• Cheapest Time: The cheapest time to book an Emirates flight is during the off-season because ticket prices are extremely low. November is generally considered the off-season for most destinations because the tourist crowd is meager, resulting in cheaper flight fares.
• Cheapest Day: Tuesday is the most suitable day for budget-conscious travelers to book an Emirates flight. Because of the limited passenger volume, flight fares are usually lower during the middle of the week.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Does Emirates offer web check-in?

Ans. Yes, Emirates offers web check-in for both domestic and international flights. The online check-in is available 48 hours prior to the scheduled flight departure.

Q2. Can pregnant women fly with Emirates?

Ans. Yes, pregnant women can fly on Emirates flights during or after the 28th week until the end of the 36th week of pregnancy in case of single pregnancy, and until the end of the 32nd week of pregnancy in case of multiple pregnancy.

Q3. Does Emirates provide special assistance?

Ans. Yes, Emirates provides special assistance, such as mobility aid devices, medical equipment, and airport support, to passengers with special needs, disabilities, and medical vulnerabilities.

Q4. Are kids allowed on Emirates flights?

Ans. Yes, kids of all ages are allowed to fly with Emirates. Infants under the age of two and children aged two to twelve can fly on Emirates flights, as long as they comply with the airline's guidelines.

Q5. Can I pre-order my meal with Emirates?

Ans. Yes, you can pre-order your meal with Emirates if you are flying in Business Class on selected flights. The pre-order meal facility is available as early as 14 days to 24 hours before the scheduled flight departure.