Emirates
Emirates guide with airline codes, Dubai hub and Terminal 3, fleet, cabins, baggage, check-in, Emirates Skywards, lounges and airport transportation.
- Aircraft
- 277
- Destinations
- 152
- Hub
- DXB
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About Emirates
Emirates is the international airline of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was founded in 1985, flew its first service on 25 October 1985 and is headquartered in Dubai. The airline is part of The Emirates Group, which is owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai. Emirates is not a member of any of the three global airline alliances; it works with partner airlines through bilateral codeshare and interline agreements.
All Emirates passenger flights operate from its hub at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport (DXB). From Dubai it serves 152 cities in 80 countries across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Americas, including 11 cities in the United States and a daily service to Mexico City via Barcelona. Most long-haul passengers connect in Dubai between flights.
The widebody fleet is built around the Airbus A380, the Boeing 777 and the newer Airbus A350-900, with Boeing 777 freighters flown by Emirates SkyCargo.
Schedules, aircraft assignments, terminals and fare rules can change. Confirm operational details directly with Emirates before travel.
Where Emirates flies
Routes and frequencies change with the season. Some flights sold with an EK flight number are operated by partner airlines; check the "operated by" line when you book.
Europe
Most major European capitals and many secondary cities, including several airports in the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy.
United States, Canada and Mexico
US cities including New York (JFK and Newark), Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C., plus Toronto, Montréal and Mexico City (via Barcelona).
South America
São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires (via Rio de Janeiro).
Middle East, Africa and the Indian subcontinent
A dense regional network across the Gulf, Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Asia-Pacific
East and Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, including a few one-stop routes such as Bangkok–Hong Kong and Bangkok–Da Nang.
Emirates fleet
Emirates flies an all-widebody fleet of 277 aircraft (March 2026), including freighters. The aircraft shown at booking is not guaranteed until departure.
Airbus A380
The double-deck A380 operates high-demand routes and offers First, Business, Premium Economy (on retrofitted aircraft) and Economy.
Boeing 777
The 777-300ER and 777-200LR fly across the whole network; many are being retrofitted with new cabins, including Premium Economy.
Airbus A350-900
Entered service in 2025 and flies medium- and long-haul routes in a three-class layout with Premium Economy.
Emirates SkyCargo
Boeing 777 freighters carry cargo only.
Emirates cabin classes
Cabins depend on the aircraft and route. Check the seat map and fare conditions before you buy.
First Class
Private suites on the A380 and selected Boeing 777s.
Business Class
Lie-flat seats on long-haul aircraft.
Premium Economy
Wider seats with more recline, available on a growing number of retrofitted A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft and on the A350.
Economy
The standard cabin. Fare types differ in baggage, seat selection and change rules.
Practical information
BaggageCabin bags, checked bags, missing luggage
Emirates baggage allowances depend on the cabin, fare type and route, and on Emirates Skywards status. Your allowance is shown on your ticket and in Manage Booking.
Economy passengers may bring one carry-on of up to 7 kg, no larger than 55 x 38 x 22 cm; Premium Economy allows up to 10 kg. Business and First passengers have a larger carry-on allowance. Some airports, including those in India, apply stricter limits.
Some routes use a weight-based allowance and others, including flights to and from the Americas, use a piece-based allowance. The number of bags and weight depend on the fare.
Sports equipment, pets, oversized items and medical equipment follow separate rules. Check the official Emirates baggage page before you fly.
Check-in and boardingSteps before departure
Online check-in on emirates.com or the Emirates app opens 48 hours before departure and closes 90 minutes before. Follow the airport check-in and bag-drop deadlines shown for your departure airport.
Confirm the operating airline, airport and terminal; at Dubai, all Emirates flights use Terminal 3.
Review passport, visa and transit requirements for your destination and for Dubai if you connect.
Check in online or in the app as soon as it opens.
Download the mobile boarding pass or print it.
Allow time for bag drop, security and immigration, and for the concourse train in Dubai.
Lounges
Emirates operates its own lounges in all three concourses of Terminal 3 in Dubai and at many airports in its network. Access depends on cabin, Emirates Skywards tier and the itinerary. Check the location and opening hours before you travel.
Loyalty program
Emirates Skywards is Emirates' loyalty program. Members earn Miles on Emirates and partner airlines, and with hotels, cards and other partners, and redeem them for flights, upgrades and more. Tiers are Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Program rules change, so check your account for the conditions that apply to your trip.
Flight status and customer serviceOfficial sources
For current operational information, use Emirates' official services:
emirates.com for booking, check-in, trip management and flight status
Available for iOS and Android, with mobile boarding passes and flight notifications
Emirates airports
Emirates runs a single-hub network: almost every flight starts or ends in Dubai, and passengers traveling between two other cities usually connect there. A small number of routes stop in a second city on the way.
Emirates' only hub. All Emirates flights use Terminal 3, which has three concourses (A, B and C). Check your boarding pass for the concourse and gate, and allow time for the automated train between concourses.
Book a transfer →Airport detailsAirport transportation for Emirates passengers
Public transport, authorized taxis, shared shuttles or a pre-booked private transfer. Arriving long-haul or with a lot of luggage is the case for booking ahead: fixed price, and a driver in arrivals with your name on a sign.
Airport Transportation is an independent platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Emirates.
Emirates FAQs
What are Emirates' airline codes?
Emirates' IATA code is EK, its ICAO code is UAE, and its callsign is EMIRATES.
What is Emirates' main hub?
Dubai International Airport (DXB). It is Emirates' only hub, and most international itineraries connect there.
Which terminal does Emirates use in Dubai?
All Emirates flights use Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, split across Concourses A, B and C. Check your boarding pass for the concourse and gate.
Is Emirates part of an airline alliance?
No. Emirates is not a member of Star Alliance, oneworld or SkyTeam. It has codeshare and interline agreements with individual partner airlines.
What is Emirates' frequent-flyer program?
Emirates Skywards.
Does Emirates fly to Mexico?
Yes. Emirates flies daily between Dubai and Mexico City (MEX), with a stop in Barcelona.
Does Emirates fly to the United States?
Yes. Emirates flies from Dubai to New York (JFK and Newark), Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
Does Emirates fly to Cancún?
No. Emirates does not fly to Cancún. Its only destination in Mexico is Mexico City, where you can connect to Cancún on another airline.
When does Emirates online check-in open?
Online check-in opens 48 hours before departure and closes 90 minutes before. It is not available when the first flight in your itinerary is operated by another airline.
How big can my Emirates carry-on be in Economy?
Up to 7 kg and no larger than 55 x 38 x 22 cm. Premium Economy allows up to 10 kg.
Is Airport Transportation affiliated with Emirates?
No. Airport Transportation is an independent transportation-booking platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Emirates.
Information reviewed in October 2026. Airline schedules, fleet figures, baggage rules and passenger services are subject to change.