Rules and notices | Travel information | Before You Fly

Conditions of Carriage

When you buy a ticket for air travel with Emirates, it constitutes a contract of carriage. It allows you to be carried on a flight or a series of flights. Its terms are governed by a) the terms and conditions of the ticket, b) the conditions of carriage, c) the applicable tariffs, and d) our regulations.

Read the full Conditions of Carriage(Opens a PDF in a new tab)

China Notices

The standards only apply to flights originated from mainland China and tickets that issued in mainland China. The Standards shall take effect from 1 January 2017.

The Customer Services Standards in case of flight delay or cancellation

Worldwide notices

Our transparency statement on the Modern Slavery Act

Modern slavery, servitude, forced labour and human trafficking are crimes and violations of fundamental human rights. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom that tackles slavery in the country, and combines previous offences relating to trafficking and slavery.

The Emirates Group complies with all of the laws of the countries in which it operates including those relating to anti-human trafficking and anti-slavery. The Emirates Group has a zero tolerance approach to modern slavery and is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all business dealings, relationships and supply chains.

Emirates Group Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy(Opens a PDF in a new tab)

Emirates Statement on Modern Slavery(Opens a PDF in a new tab)

European Union notices

From 17 February 2005, EC Regulation 261/2004 gives passengers boarding a flight in an EU country certain rights in the event of denied boarding, cancellation, or long delay of flights.

If you feel you are entitled to compensation according to these notices, please contact your nearest Emirates office.

National Enforcement Bodies(Opens an external website in a new tab)

Note that not all EC countries have appointed national enforcement bodies.

From 1st May 2009, the EU imposed new restrictions on the personal import of products of animal origin into the EU. More information can be found on the European Commission’s website(Opens an external website in a new tab).

The EU Summary of Liability

We’ve explained our liabilities towards you as a customer and your baggage in accordance with EC regulations.

The EU Summary of Liability(Opens a PDF in a new tab)

List of airlines banned within the EU

The EU Air Safety List(Opens an external website in a new tab)

If we have made a reservation for you on a flight which is due to be operated by an airline whose name is entered on the list, you may be entitled to reimbursement or re-routing in respect of such flight in accordance with Article 8 of EC Regulation 261/04. Note that the eligibility requirements contained within EC Regulation 261/04 shall apply to your flight.

Insolvency protection

Emirates has taken out insolvency protection with International Passenger Protection Limited(Opens an external website in a new tab)(IPP) as Cover Holder for Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s. This Insurance is only in respect of the Insolvency of Emirates for all monies paid to us (Emirates) in respect of Linked Travel & Package Travel Arrangements booked as defined under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018(Opens a PDF in a new tab) / and/or Directive (EU) 2015/2302(Opens an external website in a new tab)

If you require to make a claim due to our Insolvency then please contact IPP on UK +44 (0)345 266 1872 or claim online www.ipplondon.co.uk/claims.asp(Opens an external website in a new tab)

United States of America notices

Advance Passenger Information – Privacy Notice

The following notice from the US Transportation Security Administration applies to all passengers travelling to or from the United States of America:

“The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires you to provide your full name, date of birth, and gender for the purpose of watch list screening, under the authority of 49 U.S.C. section 114, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 and 49 C.F.R parts 1540 and 1560. You may also provide your Redress Number, if available. Failure to provide your full name, date of birth, and gender may result in denial of transport or denial of authority to enter the boarding area. TSA may share information you provide with law enforcement or intelligence agencies or others under its published system of records notice. For more on TSA privacy policies, or to review the system of records notice and the privacy impact assessment, please see the TSA Web site at www.tsa.gov(Opens an external website in a new tab)."

Emirates Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan

Emirates is committed to ensuring the comfort and safety of all passengers by providing industry-leading service on every flight we operate. This Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays (“Plan”) describes the steps Emirates will take during a lengthy tarmac delay in accordance with the relevant U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) regulations.

This Plan applies to all international scheduled and public charter flights operated by Emirates to and from the USA in accordance with the relevant DOT regulations. This Plan will be activated when these flights are experiencing irregular operations involving a lengthy tarmac delay at an airport in the USA. In most cases the cause of lengthy tarmac delays are outside of Emirates’ reasonable control (such as weather events, air traffic control systems, government operating restrictions, and airport construction projects). Regardless of the cause of a delay, Emirates will implement the measures set out in this Plan.

Assurances to Customers:

The Department of Transportation's (DOT) tarmac delay rule requires that passengers on a flight experiencing a tarmac delay have the opportunity to deplane before three hours (for domestic flights) or four hours (for international flights) after the start of the tarmac delay. For all flights covered by this Plan, Emirates will not permit an aircraft to remain on the tarmac in the USA for more than four hours before allowing passengers to deplane unless:
- The pilot‑in‑command determines there is a safety‑related or security‑related reason why the aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers; or
- Air traffic control advises the pilot‑in‑command that returning to the gate or another disembarkation point elsewhere in order to deplane passengers would significantly disrupt airport operations.
For all flights covered by this Plan, Emirates will provide adequate food and potable water no later than two hours after the start of any tarmac delay, unless the pilot-in-command determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service.
For all flights covered by this Plan, Emirates will provide operable lavatory facilities, as well as adequate medical attention if needed, while the aircraft remains on the tarmac.
For all tarmac delays at an airport in the USA in excess of 30 minutes that are covered by this Plan:
- Emirates will provide passengers with an update on the status of the delay when the tarmac delay exceeds 30 minutes;
- Emirates will provide subsequent updates on the status of the tarmac delay to passenger as appropriate; and
- Emirates will notify the passengers in a timely manner, each time a suitable opportunity arises for passengers to disembark.
Emirates will make sufficient resources available to implement this Plan.
Emirates will coordinate this Plan with airport authorities, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration at all airports in the USA that Emirates serves (including diversion airports within the USA).
Note that code-share flights operated by a different carrier will be covered by that carrier's tarmac delay plan when a lengthy tarmac delay occurs at an airport located within the USA.

Hong Kong notices

Ban on alternative smoking products

From 30 April 2022, the Hong Kong Government strictly prohibits the possession and importation of alternative smoking products in parcels, packages or as cargo. Alternative smoking products include electronic smoking products, heated tobacco products and herbal cigarettes. Incoming travellers are not allowed to carry such items, including their parts and accessories, as baggage.

The ban does not apply to medicines approved by the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, as well as to transit passengers connecting through Hong Kong International Airport without going through immigration. The Hong Kong Government will impose a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment and a fine of USD 50,000 on customers who fail to comply.

Malaysia notices

Airline passengers’ rights are protected under the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code (MACPC), regardless if they have purchased travel insurance from an airline or any travel insurance service provider. For more information on the MACPC, head to www.mavcom.my(Opens an external website in a new tab).

Maldives notices

Tickets for Flights departing from Male (MLE) are issued inclusive of the Airport Development Fee and Airport Service Charge. These are charged at a rate of USD 25 each, but Maldives nationals receive a discount on these fees and are only required to pay USD 12 for each tax. Maldives nationals can contact us to request a refund of the USD 13 for each tax they are not required to pay.

For more information please visit https://mira.gov.mv/forms/r834-guide-to-airport-service-charge-and-development-fee.pdf(Opens a PDF in a new tab).

Tanzania notices

All plastic carrier bags, regardless of their thickness are prohibited from being imported, exported, manufactured, sold, stored supplied and used in Mainland Tanzania.

Travellers going to Tanzania are advised to avoid carrying or packing plastic bags in their suitcases or hand luggage.

However, plastic packaging for medical, foodstuff, sanitary and waste management services will be permitted. Additionally, plastic carrier items known as “Ziploc bags” specifically used for carrying toiletries when travelling will be permitted, and are expected to remain in possession of travellers throughout their visit.

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