Dubai: Emirates airlines will introduce a new service to enable customers to use their laptops and tablet devices until just before they board their flights to the United States.
Emirates customers travelling to the US via Dubai will be able to use their laptops and tablet devices on the first part of their journeys, and also during transit in Dubai. They must then declare and hand over their laptops, tablets and other banned electronic devices to security staff at the gate just before boarding their US-bound flight.
The devices will be carefully packed into boxes, loaded into the aircraft hold and returned to the customers at their US destination. There will not be any charge for this service.
Passengers on US-bound flights starting their journeys in Dubai will have to pack their electronic devices into their check-in luggage in the first instance, to avoid delays.
Emirates is working to ensure that its operations comply with the latest restrictions on electronic devices in the cabin, when the rules take effect tomorrow. The new US security directive applies to all passengers travelling on non-stop flights to the US from Dubai and nine other airports in the Middle East, including those in transit.
Emirates tells passengers to reach early to avoid delay at airport
Earler, Emirates has asked passengers to arrive early at the airport to beat the spring break travel rush that will hit its peak this weekend.
The airline on Thursday issued a statement reminding customers to arrive at the airport at least three hours before flight departure.
“With road works and construction in progress around the airport, customers are encouraged to plan extra time to get to the airport to avoid delays,” the passenger advisory said.
Emirates expects high passenger traffic on its flights this upcoming weekend starting from Thursday March 23 as travellers head abroad for the spring holiday break, the airline said.
Over 89,000 travellers will be passing through Emirates Terminal 3 this weekend, according to the latest booking figures. The busiest weekend day for the airline is expected to be on Friday March 24 when over 34,500 passengers will pass through Terminal 3, the airline pointed out.
It said the passengers can physically check in at the airport as early as six hours before departing on their flight.
Emirates car park check-in facilities are equipped with 16 check-in counters. “Customers can use these to check in and drop off their luggage from 24 hours to six hours before departure.”
Customers heading to Emirates Terminal 3 can choose to drop their luggage at one of the 46 dedicated bag drop counters in Economy Class or separate counters in First Class and Business Class from six hours to 90 minutes before departure.
For families, Emirates has designated special check-in areas consisting of 20 economy check-in counters in Terminal 3 at Area 2, which are designed with their needs in mind.
Passengers are requested to check in no later than 90 minutes before departure, regardless of class of travel. Customers who check in less than 60 minutes before their scheduled flight departure will not be accepted for travel.
Customers can also check in online on both their desktops and mobile devices from 48 hours to 90 minutes before flight departure.
After checking in, passengers are also advised to make sure they get to their boarding gate on time. Boarding starts 45 minutes before each flight and gates close 20 minutes before departure. If passengers report late Emirates will not be able to accept them for travel. Check-in and gate closure timings will be strictly followed to ensure flights depart on schedule. These time checks will ensure minimal flight delays out of Dubai.
Along with checked in baggage, the airline also strongly advised passengers to adhere to carry-on baggage weight limits, which are 7kg for Economy Class and 14kg for Business and First Class. “Staff will be checking the weight of carry-on bags at various touch points before passengers board their flights,” it said.
