Emirates Goes Digital, Phases Out Paper Boarding Passes for Flights Departing Dubai

Emirates on Friday announced that it will require most passengers departing Dubai to use a mobile boarding pass instead of a printed paper version, from Monday, May 15, onwards.

According to the Dubai-based airline, the phasing out of paper boarding passes is a step forward in its drive to offer customers the convenience and assurance of digitally enabled travel journeys.

Passengers checking in at Terminal 3 will receive their mobile boarding pass via email or SMS. Passengers who check in online can load their boarding pass into their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, or retrieve their boarding pass on the user-friendly Emirates App. The checked-in baggage receipt is also emailed directly to passengers, or available in the Emirates App.

Photo source: Emirates

According to Emirates, the initiative will significantly reduce paper waste while simultaneously offering a convenient and speedy digitised check in experience for passengers departing Dubai.

“It reduces the risk of lost or misplaced boarding passes, giving passengers peace of mind when travelling,” the airline’s management said in an announcement.

The mobile boarding pass can be used throughout the travel journey – in Dubai Duty Free, at security and for boarding, simply by showing the boarding pass on the phone. Emirates agents and airport staff will simply scan the QR code on the mobile boarding pass as passengers move through the airport and onto the aircraft.

Photo source: Emirates

Some passengers may still require a physical boarding pass to be printed – for instance when travelling with infants, unaccompanied minors, passengers requiring special assistance, passengers with onwards flights on other airlines, and all passengers travelling on flights to the US.

The option to print a boarding pass is available by request to Emirates agents at check-in counters, if passengers do not have a mobile device, or if they are unable to access the information on their devices for reasons such as: running out of battery power, a system breakdown or glitch, message delivery delay, or inability to access WIFI, network or a data package.

Smooth biometric journeys in Dubai

Photo source: Emirates

Registered passengers can now enjoy a seamless travel experience at Dubai International Airport, where they will be able to use the biometric machines or smart gates to go through various airport stations.

UAE Residents can register to use the Smart Gates at Emirates Terminal 3 and speed through Immigration every time they return to Dubai. UAE citizens and residents can use their passport, boarding pass, or a valid UAE ID, while GCC nationals or visitors eligible for visa on arrival can pass through the Smart Gates with a biometric passport.