Emirates wants travellers to book tickets early as summer traffic surges

BY Sade Williams/Business a.m.

Traffic is already surging for summer 2022 and Emirates, one of the world’s busiest airlines, is calling on customers planning their holiday to make their travel arrangements and book at once in order to ensure that they are able to travel on their preferred dates and flights.

As summer holidays draw closer, daily booking volumes are accelerating, especially as travel rebounds from the impact of the pandemic.

Emirates is preparing for its busiest period with over 550,000 customers expected to fly out from the UAE between June and July on over 2,400 weekly network-wide departures. The airline has continued to add flights and frequencies where possible as it ramps up its summer schedule, and will be operating close to 80 percent of its pre-pandemic capacity, or over one million weekly seats for this summer to serve demand.

According to the airline, from August 1, customers travelling from Dubai to London, Paris and Sydney will be able to have its full premium economy experience, complete with dedicated check-in areas at DXB, luxurious seats offering unrivalled comfort with a pitch of up to 40 inches, soft, sustainable blankets and amenity kits, elevated onboard gastronomy and a premium selection of beverages, amongst other attentive touches.

It is also offering customers returning from their holidays abroad an opportunity to continue their summer experiences on the ground in Dubai with My Emirates Pass. Customers travelling between 1 May to 30 September 2022 can enjoy exclusive offers at over 500 locations, including restaurants, big-name retail outlets, spas and exclusive attractions across the city by simply showing their Emirates boarding pass.

The airline also disclosed that it is working hard to ensure it provides an incredible onboard experience, and a seamless journey on the ground, noting that as many customers have been waiting for almost two years to travel on the ground, customers can look forward to a speedy process when they utilise the airline’s biometric path in Terminal 3 for a contactless journey from select check-in desks, Emirates lounges and boarding gates. The airline has also introduced other technology-centric services including self-check-in and bag drop kiosks at DXB for a smoother and contactless airport experience.

According to a statement by the airline, customers also now have the option to cut down their wait time with 25 mobile check-in ports, where they can get their boarding cards, weigh and tag their bags, and have any of their questions answered by check-in staff.

It stated that from Abu Dhabi, Emirates customers can board the airline’s bus service which now operates five times a day, adding that first class customers can take advantage of its new Home Check-in Service that offers them the option to check in from home, free of charge.

First class customers based in Dubai and Sharjah, can have Check-in Agents visit their homes or hotels at pre-booked timings to complete all check-in formalities, including document verification, checking-in of baggage, and issuing boarding passes. There is an allocated counter at the airport for any last-minute extra luggage.

The airline explained that onboard, customers can look forward to regionally inspired dishes, special menus and an unrivalled beverage offering across all classes, as well as a host of other amenities. It stated that its award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, now offers more than 5,000 channels, with content in 40 languages to cater to every taste and preference, including 4,000 hours of the latest movies and TV, and close to 3,500 hours of music and podcasts to choose from.

The airline said it will be flying to 35 A380 destinations this summer, adding that customers can look forward to the airline’s signature experience on its flagship double-decker, including its tremendously popular onboard lounge and shower spa, amongst other award-winning experiences to be found across every cabin class.