The airline card
Full name: Emirates.
IATA code: EK.
The establishment date: 1985.
Alliance Membership: None.
Headquarters (main hub): UAE, Dubai, and the Dubai International Airport.
Bonus program name: Skywards.
Official website: Emirates.
Fleet: 265 aircraft. Aircraft average age: 8.7 years.
Safety: 7 out of 7 according to the Airline Ratings.
About the airline
The Emirates was founded in 1985 to develop tourism and infrastructure in the Arab Emirates. In the early 1990s, the Emirates was among the world’s fastest growing airlines, with revenue growing by $100 million a year for the next few years.
Emirates is now the biggest airlines in the world one based in Dubai and with 142 destinations route networks in 78 countries.
Safety
The Emirates operates exclusively wide-body aircraft manufactured by the Airbus and the Boeing. The airline’s base aircraft are the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777, which are currently among the safest aircraft in the world.
The Emirates has code share partners a large network, making the airline’s route network much larger. The list includes:
- Flydubai
- Qantas
- United
- Air Canada
- Aegean Airlines
- Air Baltic
- Air Malta
- Air Mauritius
- Azul
- Bangkok Airways
- Batik Air
- China Southern Airlines
- Copa Airlines
- Garuda Indonesia
- GOL Airlines
- Gulf Air
- Japan Airlines
- Jetstar Airways
- Jetstar Asia
- JetBlue
- Korean Air
- Royal Air Maroc
- S7 Airlines
- South Africa Airlink
- South African Airways
- TAP Portugal
- Thai Airways
- Tunis Air
- WestJet
Cancelling or changing your booking
Your fare plan Iirrespective, you have the right to cancel your booking on the Emirates website under Manage booking and return your ticket. Rule: charge free refund for Flex Plus fares only, otherwise no refund will be available or you will have to pay a fee. There is also a separate fee and charges for booking changes for fares that do not include this service. You can find more information on the Emirates website.
Refund and change fees are formed like ticket prices, depending on the route, fare class and date. Starting from €100, check prices depending on flight dates and destinations.
The support agents on the telephone line are divided into English-speakers and those who speak the country language whose line you are calling. There is also an online chat room on the website in English.
Check-in for the flight
Online check-in is available via the link on the Emirates website under Manage booking / Check-in. Starts 48 hours before departure and ends 4 hours before departure, please register in time. Name and reservation code PNR required.
Online check-in is available at all airports, but presenting your electronic boarding pass is not possible everywhere. In that case, you must obtain it at the check-in desk.
If you fly with luggage, you still need to check it in at the check-in desk or you can do it yourself using the terminals. Online check-in is not available if your booking contains multiple segments operated by different airlines and the first flight on your itinerary is not operated by the Emirates.
Fares and classes
The Emirates offers passengers four classes:
- Economic;
- Premium economic;
- Business;
- First class;
Economy
The most economical class and therefore has certain limitations (no seat selection possible, smaller hand luggage compared to other classes, etc.).
Premium Economy
Enables you to travel in a comfortable, reclining seat with extra legroom. A more varied menu choice than in economy class.
Business Class
Newly upgraded seating, separate seating area, entertainment system, expanded dining options, etc.
Seat dimensions in Airbus A380:
- Seat – 18.5 inches
- Backrest when unfolded – 60.5 inches
Seat dimensions in Boeing 777:
- Seat – 19.5 inches
- Backrest when unfolded – 60 inches
First Class
It has private cabins, showers and a bar right on board. In addition, Emirates First Class passengers receive privileges throughout their journey, from booking and boarding to a private airport taxi.
Seat dimensions in the Airbus A380:
- Seat cushion – 21.6 inches
- Backrest when unfolded – 60.4 inches
Seat dimensions in Boeing 777:
- Seat cushion – 22.5 inches
- Backrest when unfolded – 61.5 inches
Services and extras
In addition to basic services such as the purchase of meals from the flight attendant, extra baggage and more, Emirates offers the option to purchase services on its flights:
- Airport lounge access;
- Chauffer-drive;
- Storage rooms;
- Transfer from airport to airport;
- Corporate travel, to coordinate the companies and organizations trips that often send their employees on business trips around the world.
Free baggage allowance
For most routes, a weight limit applies. The baggage allowance applies only for flights with departure and destination points in North and South America and in Africa.
For example, on a flight from Moscow to Dubai in Economy Class with Special fare, the luggage weight limit is 20 kg.
And on the flight Dubai-North America in Economy Class with Special fare, the restriction will be 1 seat up to 23кг.
Economy Class
Hand baggage 7 kg. Dimensions and dimensions must not exceed 55x38x20 cm.
Checked-in baggage is limited to 20kg, 25kg, 30kg and 35kg for Special, Saver, Flex and Flex Plus fares respectively.
For Special and Saver fares, there are exceptions on some routes
Premium Economy Class
Hand baggage 10 kg. Dimensions may not exceed 55x38x20cm.
Checked-in luggage is up to 35kg.
Business
Two seats for hand baggage and briefcase/clothing bag of 7 kg each. The hand baggage dimensions may not exceed 55x38x20cm and a briefcase dimensions may not exceed 45x35x20cm.
Checked-in luggage is up to 40kg.
First class
Two seats for hand baggage and briefcase/clothing bag of 7 kg each. The hand baggage dimensions may not exceed 55x38x20cm and a briefcase dimensions may not exceed 45x35x20cm.
Checked-in luggage is up to 50kg.
Food on board
Snacks and refreshments are available on board the Emirates aircraft. In addition, hot and cold meals will be served during the flight, the range varies according to the passenger’s class.
Special menus (religious, allergy, dietary, etc.) are also available. To serve them, you need to make a reservation at least 48 hours before your flight in the “Manage your reservations” section.
Halal is included in the special menu, available on all routes. The same rules apply for ordering as for any other special menu.
More information can be found on the Emirates website.
Travelling while pregnant
Emirates accepts pregnant women on board without restriction up to the pregnancy 29th week if there are no complications or contraindications. If you will be travelling at 29 weeks or later, you should bring a certificate signed by your doctor or obstetrician.
The letter should state:
- whether the pregnancy is a singleton or multiple pregnancy;
- whether there are no complications during the pregnancy;
- the deliveryexpected date;
- the date until which, in the doctor’s opinion, travel is acceptable;
- confirmation that you are in good health;
- that there is no reason why you cannot fly.
Travelling with children
Children under the 7 days age may only travel if necessary for medical reasons and if the mother has to fly for family reasons.
Children under the 1 age can travel on a parent’s lap or in a carrycot. Children under 2 years of age can travel in a car seat if one is purchased for each child.
Unaccompanied children aged between 5 and 11 years old must fly at the adult fare. Children aged 12 years and over may fly alone at the adult fare, paying $50 an additional fee for the journey each leg.
Note: Children age over two years must have their own seat on the plane. If parent and child fly in different classes, the child must fly at adult fare.
Travelling with pets
It is prohibited to transport animals in Emirates aircraft cabins. The exception to this is the falcons’ transportation between Dubai and certain points in Pakistan.
Other pets are transported in accordance with your itinerary’s transport regulations in the luggage compartment. A well ventilated, secure carrier suitable for the pet size and weight is required.
More information can be found on the Emirates website.
Bonus programme
The Skywards loyalty programme allows you to earn miles from every trip on Emirates flights and its partners. Miles can be bought, donated and spent. They are valid for three years.
In tier one, Blue, customers have access to instant upgrades for miles, priority wait listing and unlimited Wi-Fi access.
Free increased baggage allowance is available from Silver level onwards. Gold and Platinum levels also have this privilege.
Passengers’ reviews
Rating 4.0.
The Emirates’ most reviews are positive. Customers praise the food, service, and passenger treatment on board.
However, in the 2022 last quarter, negative passenger feedback has increased due to problems with seat selection, lost luggage and bookings refunds/change.
