Emirates extends online check-in to 48 hours before departure

Customers are now able to check in online on both desktop and mobile devices from 48 hours to 90 minutes before flight departure.

Emirates said it has given customers more flexibility by altering the check-in time. Courtesy Emirates

Emirates airline has extended its online check-in to 48 hours before departure in a bid to ease congestion. Passengers could previously check in 24 hours before departure.

Customers around the world can check in online on both desktop and mobile devices from 48 hours to 90 minutes before flight departures, the airline said.

However, for flights from and to the US, boarding passes will be issued only 24 hours in advance.

After checking in online, passengers can then drop their luggage at online check-in counters before heading straight through to immigration and security.

“We have always taken into account feedback to improve the customer journey and the extension of online check-in is a result of that,” said the spokesman Alex Knigge.

“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.”

Last month, Dubai airport increased its capacity to 90 million passengers with the opening of Concourse D. The expansion includes 21 contact stands, four of which 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.

The airport expects to receive 85 million passengers this year and analysts warn that the airport’s rapid growth could mean it eclipses the 100 million passenger mark well before 2020, thereby reaching its full capacity. This would require the city’s second airport, Al Maktoum International, to be ready soon.

Follow The National's Business section on Twitter