Our friends over at Emirates have extended their online check-in to 48 hours before departure, (from 24 hours) effective immediately. In an effort to ease congestion, travellers around the world can check-in online on both desktop and mobile devices from 48 hours to 90 minutes before flight departure.
This is excellent news for those travellers who are taking long-haul flights and may not have the ability to check-in for their flight 24 hours before departure since they are already flying on another plane without access to internet.
The increased lead time also offers customers greater flexibility in choosing their seats, and reduces waiting times at the airport as they would already have their boarding passes before arriving at the airport. Passengers can then drop their luggage at online check-in counters before heading straight through to immigration and security. For flights to and from the United States, boarding passes will only be issued 24 hours in advance (however online check-in is still available 48 hours before departure)
“We have always taken into account feedback to improve the customer journey and the extension of online check-in is a result of that. By allowing check-in from 48 hours before departure we are providing our customers added flexibility to choose their preferred seats for a more comfortable journey.” – Alex Knigge, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications Marketing & Brand (Digital).
The earlier check-in window will also enable more seamless communication with customers should there be unexpected flight delays or disruptions. For members of Emirates Skywards, the airline’s frequent flyer program, the extended check in time will also mean better availability of upgrades.
Last month, Dubai airport (Emirates’ home base) increased its capacity to 90 million passengers with the opening of Concourse D. The expansion can accommodate the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 747. The airport recently retained its position as the world’s No 1 for international passenger volumes for a second year, after traffic exceeded 78 million passengers last year.
