Baggage and lost property

Emirates has one of the world's most generous baggage policies.

Your checked baggage allowance depends on your route and fare type. Find the exact details of your baggage allowance for your upcoming trip by visiting Manage Your Booking, or by checking the baggage allowance printed on your ticket.

For more information on baggage policies please read our Checked bags page.

In addition, different baggage rules may apply on flights operated by other airlines.

In line with international regulations, your free baggage allowances will either be set by how many pieces of luggage or the total amount of weight you can travel with. The rules depend on where you’re travelling to and from.

The weight concept applies to all routes, excluding flights to and from destinations in the Americas and travel to or from Africa.

The piece concept applies to all flights to and from destinations in the Americas and Africa.

To review your complimentary baggage allowance for your upcoming flight please check your ticket or visit Manage your booking.

For more information on baggage policies please read our Checked bags page.

First Class and Business Class

First Class and Business Class passengers are permitted two pieces of carry-on baggage: one briefcase plus either one handbag or one garment bag, all subject to the following size and weight limitations:

The weight of each piece must not exceed 7kgkilograms (15lbpounds). While duty free purchases of liquor, cigarettes and perfume in reasonable quantities are also permitted in addition to the above, exceptions apply with new liquid restrictions in place.

Economy Class

Economy Class passengers are permitted one piece of carry-on baggage, subject to the following size and weight limitations:

Weight must not exceed 7kgkilograms (15lbpounds). Duty free purchases of liquor, cigarettes and perfume in reasonable quantities are also permitted in addition to the above.

You must be able to lift your own bag into the overhead locker. Cabin crew can assist you if you are elderly, travelling with young children or have a condition that requires support.

Exceptions

Find out more about allowances for passengers travelling with infants.

For customers boarding at airports in India:

1. You are allowed one piece of carry-on baggage.
2. The total dimensions of any bag cannot exceed 115cmcentimeters or 45.3 inches (length + width + height).

Note: Customers with travel originating from Brazil with tickets purchased in Brazil are allowed a carry-on weighing up to 10kgkilograms (22lbpounds). Customers with travel originating from any other country to Brazil are allowed a carry-on weighing up to 7kgkilograms (15lbpounds).

Exemptions may be granted for oversized hand baggage containing an item or items which are too large to fit within the permitted bag size and are valuable or fragile. Such oversized baggage shall be presented by the passenger for approval at check-in and at the screening point of examination.

If your itinerary includes flights operated by other airlines, different baggage rules may apply for these flights – Learn more about my baggage allowance on other airlines.

‘Wheelie’ bags

Transiting or departing from Dubai

Items in excess of the maximum limitations above may not be permitted in the cabin on flights departing from Dubai. The baggage will be transferred to the aircraft hold and a checked baggage receipt will be issued. Excess baggage rates will be applied when permissible hand baggage allowance is exceeded.

Powders in cabin baggage

On flights to, from or through the US, and flights from or through Australia and New Zealand, powders in containers equal to or over 350mlmilliliters are not allowed in carry-on belongings or cabin baggage.

• Powders in containers equal to or over 350mlmilliliters have to be checked in.
• Depending on the last point of departure, any powders in containers over 350mlmilliliters in your carry-on baggage will be confiscated at Dubai International (DXB), Milan–Malpensa Airport (MXP) and Athens International Airport (ATH).
• Powders under 350mlmilliliters may be subject to additional screening.
• Baby formula, prescription medicines and human remains are exempt.
• Powder-like substances purchased in airport duty free shops must be placed in Sealed Tamper Evident Bags along with proof of purchase (receipt).

This is in accordance with new security guidelines from the US Transport Security Administration (TSA), the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand.

Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) in cabin baggage

In line with regulations recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the following LAGs (liquids, aerosols and gels) restrictions on cabin baggage apply for passengers boarding from or transiting through various other international airports, including Dubai:

1. All liquids, gels and aerosols, pastes, lotions, creams, drinks and other items of similar consistency must be in containers with a capacity no greater than 100mlmilliliter. Those carried in containers larger than 100mlmilliliter will not be accepted, even if the container is only part-filled.
2. These containers must be placed in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag of a maximum capacity not exceeding one litre. Larger bags or bags that are non-sealable, such as fold-over sandwich bags, are not allowed.
3. The containers must fit comfortably within the transparent plastic bag, which is to be completely closed.
4. The plastic bag is to be presented for visual examination at the screening point. Only one transparent plastic bag per passenger will be permitted.
5. Exemptions will be made for medications, baby milk / foods and special dietary requirements. Appropriate and proportionate means of verifying the nature of such items will need to be available.

To facilitate screening and avoid a cluttered X-ray image, such plastic bags should be presented apart from other cabin baggage, coats, jackets and laptops for separate X-ray screening.

Passengers transiting in countries adhering to these measures may not be able to take duty free liquid goods past the transit security check.

Note the following: if you are transiting/connecting through Bangkok/Singapore/Kuala Lumpur (BKK/SIN/KUL) and have to exit the aircraft and then re-board to continue, these airports now have strict LAGS rules in place and will remove liquids during transit.

Security Tamper-Evident Bags (STEBS)

LAGs in any volume, purchased at airport retail outlets (e.g. Dubai Duty Free) or on board the aircraft, will not be allowed through security screening points, unless they:

• are carried in a Security Tamper-Evident Bag (STEB); and
• have been protected from unlawful interference by a process of supply chain security (as applied in Dubai).

These bags, which have not yet been standardised internationally, are for the use of passengers who purchase LAGS at airport Duty Free or other outlets and will be in transit to their next destination. Once sealed, the bags cannot be opened and then re-sealed without obvious indications.

Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) US bound

US bound passengers travelling on direct Emirates flights departing from Dubai International to the USA are permitted to carry LAGs items purchased from Duty Free Shops inside Dubai International concourse irrespective of quantity and volume, as cabin baggage.

Upon arrival in the US, the passengers would need to place any items over 100mlmilliliter in their checked baggage for any onward US domestic/international flights.

Depending on your route, your baggage allowance may be calculated by piece or weight.

In line with international regulations, your free baggage allowances will either be set by how many pieces of luggage or the total amount of weight you can travel with. The rules depend on where you’re travelling to and from.

The weight concept applies to all routes, excluding flights to and from destinations in the Americas and travel to or from Africa.

The piece concept applies to all flights to and from destinations in the Americas and Africa.

Find the exact details of your baggage allowance for your upcoming trip by visiting Manage your booking, or by checking the baggage allowance printed on your ticket.

For more information on baggage policies please read our Checked baggage page.

In addition, different baggage rules may apply on flights operated by other airlines.

Your checked baggage allowance depends on your route and fare type.

If your journey originates in Africa you are able to check in two 23kg bags in Economy, or two 32kg in Business and First Class. Find the exact details of your baggage allowance for your upcoming trip by visiting Manage Your Booking, or by checking the baggage allowance printed on your ticket.

For more information on baggage policies please read our Checked bags page.

In addition, different baggage rules may apply on flights operated by other airlines.

Your checked baggage allowance depends on your route and fare type.

If you're travelling to or from Africa, you can check in two 23kg bags in Economy, or two 32kg bags in Business Class and First Class. Find the exact details of your baggage allowance for your upcoming trip by visiting Manage your booking, or by checking the baggage allowance printed on your ticket.

For more information on baggage policies please read our Checked bags page.

In addition, different baggage rules may apply on flights operated by other airlines.

Firearms, weapons and ammunition may be carried as checked baggage on Emirates flights under the following conditions:

• You must be in possession of the original firearms licence in your name and all original documents stating the appropriate clearances and permissions (if applicable) to export and/or import the firearms, weapons and ammunition.
• The carriage of any type of firearm, weapon and ammunition must be approved by Emirates no less than three days before your flight. Please complete the firearms form (only available in English) in the contact us section of our Help Centre to start the approval process. Please allow extra time for public holidays and weekends in your country of residence and the UAE.
• The firearm must be completely unloaded and, if possible, dismantled and packed inside a suitcase or standard gun case.
• Ammunition must be securely stored in a strong, sealed box packed inside a suitcase and surrounded by other contents. The suitcase must not bear an ‘Explosive’ label.
• The maximum gross weight of the ammunition carried by any single customer is 5kg (11lb). Customers travelling in groups must carry ammunition in their own separate bags, with no single bag carrying more than the 5kg (11lb) limit.
• All fireworks and any other items containing explosives, for example Christmas crackers, firecrackers, bottle rockets, poppers and sparklers are forbidden to be carried either as carry-on baggage or as checked baggage on our flights.

The following special conditions apply to customers wishing to carry firearms on flights into or through Dubai:

• Customers who wish to bring firearms and ammunition into the UAE must obtain prior clearance from UAE Customs and the UAE Ministry of Defence. To obtain this clearance, customers must contact these government departments directly.
• For transfer and transit customers who are connecting to onward flights, prior clearance to travel with firearms and ammunition must be obtained from the Dubai Airport Police Department and the Department of Civil Aviation.

If you’re travelling to perform Haj or Umrah and your itinerary includes Medinah, you may pack up to five litres of Islamic Holy Water or Zamzam water in addition to your checked-in baggage allowance. Just make sure to package the Zamzam water appropriately in a sealed container.

Please note that there are restrictions on carrying Zamzam water on flights from Jeddah at this time.

All those travelling to USA, Canada and the UK are required to switch on their electronic devices at the Dubai International or risk being denied access to fly. Please ensure that your electronic devices have sufficient power before reaching the airport. This is part of enhanced security measures required by the authorities of these countries.

All hand baggage is subject to screening. Screening will be done at relevant boarding gates, for flights departing to destinations in the US, UK and Canada. 

Passengers who are unable to switch on their electronic devices risk being offloaded or being asked to leave behind such devices. There is no secure location to store these devices, and Emirates will be unable to bear responsibility for these items.

Animals are not permitted in the cabin of Emirates flights, with the exception of falcons between Dubai and certain destinations in Pakistan, and Guide Dogs for the visually impaired – please see our information on Accessible travel.

All other animals must be transported according to regulations specific to your route:

• For all itineraries ending in Dubai, animals must be transported as cargo according to UAE government regulations.
• For more information on shipping animals as cargo, please contact Emirates SkyCargo(Opens an external website in a new window) or your local cargo agent.
• For itineraries that start in Dubai and travelling to countries that allow animals to enter as “excess baggage” (i.e., not as manifested cargo), falcons, cats, dogs and pet birds can be transported as checked baggage in the hold as long as the total journey time (including any transit time) is less than 17 hours, and all appropriate conditions are met.

For all routes, the charge for the animal(s) and container will depend on the weight and size of the animal plus cage combined. These charges will apply in all cases, even when no other checked baggage is being carried.

Please take note of the following weight and size restrictions for animals travelling as checked baggage:

Please note that rates and document requirements and costs for transporting animals is different from the usual excess baggage requirements. Please visit Emirates SkyCargo.com or write to Emirates SkyCargo for more information.

Emirates is not responsible for transporting pets on itineraries that include other airlines. 

If your itinerary includes flights operated by other airlines, different baggage rules may apply for these flights – learn more.

There are no restrictions on the number of pets you can carry on Emirates flights. However, please be aware that some countries do impose restrictions on the number of pets that can be carried into or out of the country. For example, the import of animals into India is restricted to two pets per customer. We advise you check your destination’s rules before travelling.

A maximum of two adult animals of comparable size weighing up to 14kgs each may be shipped in the same container, providing they are used to cohabitation. Animals weighing over 14kgs each must travel in separate containers.

Additional information for transporting animals with Emirates

Please book and pay for the transportation of animals as checked baggage before your departure date.

There are some restrictions as to which animals can be transported with Emirates.  All animals listed under CITES, including pets, must be transported as cargo.  Further restrictions, including import bans, apply to certain species of cats and dogs – please contact your local Emirates office for more information on restricted species.

For their safety, live animals (including service dogs) that can be accepted as baggage per the rules above must be transported as cargo if the total journey time is more than 17 hours. Total journey time includes approximately 1 hour for airport check in before departure and 1 hour until delivery of the animal at the arrivals hall in the final destination. Animals transiting through Dubai must also be transported as cargo if the flight connection time is more than 6 hours. 

While connecting in Dubai, pets will be kept in an air-conditioned room and customers, ground handlers and agents will not have access to them. Animals that need to be fed, provided with water or administered pills while being transported must be booked as cargo with a flight connecting time of not less than 6 hours.

Due to high heat and humidity in the UAE, no birds (except some falcons) can be accepted for transit via Dubai as checked baggage or cargo between 1 May and 30 September.

All animals accepted for transportation with Emirates must have a valid Import permit issued by the destination country and a valid health certificate (including any applicable vaccination records).

Certain countries, however, restrict importation of animals as baggage. Please contact your local Emirates office for more information.

For animals travelling with Emirates a 24-hour emergency contact number and the optimum temperature requirement must always be shown on the animal’s travel container.

Emirates will not accept a pregnant animal for transportation if it is beyond one third (1/3) of its normal gestation period or has given birth within 48 hours of travel.

Dangerous Goods are articles or substances that may pose health and safety hazards to passengers or potentially damage the aircraft. They are also referred to as restricted articles, hazardous materials and dangerous cargo.

Transportation of such goods is regulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the General Civil Aviation Authority of the United Arab Emirates. Goods falling under the category of Dangerous Goods are not allowed in passenger or crew-checked baggage or cabin baggage, with some exceptions.

If you are unsure whether you may travel with dangerous goods, or need approval on certain goods, you should contact your local Emirates office for more information.

Powder

New rules for carry-on bags are coming into effect for those flying from or via Australia and New Zealand or from, via or to the USA. Powders over 350mlmilliliters will be subject to additional screening from 30 June 2018.

This is in accordance with new security guidelines from the US Transport Security Administration (TSA), the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand.

Full information available in our Dangerous Goods Policy page .

Drones

For safety reasons we can’t allow drones on board as cabin baggage. Drones can only be accepted as checked-in baggage. However, drones are not allowed on any flights to Jordan.

On all other flights, if you have a drone in your checked-in baggage you’ll be asked to either secure the lithium batteries within the drone or remove the batteries and carry them in your cabin baggage. This regulation still applies even if you’re connecting to our flights from an airline that has accepted drones as cabin baggage.

Items containing explosives are not allowed on board

All fireworks and any other items containing explosives, for example Christmas crackers, firecrackers, bottle rockets, poppers and sparklers are forbidden to be carried either as carry-on baggage or as checked baggage on our flights.

Lithium batteries

Please note – in some countries, lithium batteries as found in laptops, mobile phones and other portable electronic devices, are now considered dangerous items, and may be banned from checked baggage.

Countries that enforce this rule currently include China.

All cabin baggage must be of a size that fits under the seat in front of each passenger or in one of the overhead lockers. The placement of bags, briefcases, or other items behind passengers' legs is not permitted, and it is essential that cabin baggage does not obstruct aisles or emergency exits, as this is forbidden by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Of equal importance is a limitation on weight, which helps minimise the risk of injury to passengers, should a bag fall from an overhead locker.

For safety reasons, it is Emirates policy, not to carry any baggage on passenger seats. Only musical instruments, diplomatic bags and valuables may be carried in this manner.

If you’re connecting in Dubai between Emirates flights for less than 24 hours, your bags will be checked through to your final destination. Therefore, your bags will not be available to collect in transit, unless otherwise specified by our airport staff.

This includes tickets purchased on emirates.com, including using the advanced search option. If you wish to collect your bags in Dubai, please get in touch with us to make this type of booking or modify your existing booking.

Emirates strongly urges you to check the baggage rules of each airline you plan to travel with.

If your travel starts with another airline that connects on to an Emirates flight, please contact that airline for their policy on the through-checking of baggage.

If your itinerary includes flights operated by other airlines, different baggage rules may apply for these flights – learn more.

Depending on how their tickets were purchased and systems available at the airport, passengers travelling on Emirates and connecting to another airline may or may not have their baggage checked through for their flights. Please check with your local Emirates office.

Where the through-checking of baggage is not available between Emirates and the other airline, please ensure that enough time is allowed between the arrival at the airport, collection of baggage, clearance of immigration and customs, and check-in for the onward flight, as well as any potential delays, in order avoid the inconvenience and costs of a missed flight.

Customers travelling to or from Brazil can check in two bags of up to 23kg each in Economy Class.

You can check your ticket to find out the baggage allowance for your specific flight.

For your safety, the General Department of Airport Security is required to inspect all checked baggage. During the screening process, some bags may be opened for further inspection.

To minimise baggage delays and inconvenience to passengers, Dubai International, the Dubai Airport Police and Emirates are implementing a new bag check process in which you no longer need to be present for the open-bag inspection. Instead, the Dubai Airport Police will open and inspect the bags in the presence of an Emirates representative.

Should these additional inspections be required, your bag(s) will be opened and the contents searched for prohibited items only. Any prohibited item found in checked baggage will be confiscated. Please visit our Dangerous Goods page for a full list of prohibited items.

When the inspection process is complete, the contents are returned to your bag along with a letter from Dubai International explaining the reason the bag was opened. In some situations, customers may be requested to attend the bag inspection in person. For more information, please visit the Dubai International website.

‘Smart’ or ‘innovative’ baggage includes bags with motors, power banks, GPS, GSM, Bluetooth, RFID or Wi-Fi technology. There are restrictions on carrying smart bags with lithium batteries as both cabin and checked baggage on all our flights.

For cabin baggage

Smart bags within the cabin size and weight allowance for your route are allowed in the cabin as long as the battery is removable. The battery can stay in the bag as longs as the bag is powered off completely. Please note you can’t charge the bag on board.

For checked baggage

Smart bags are allowed as checked-in baggage if the battery is removed and carried in the cabin, and the baggage is within the checked baggage size and weight allowances for your route.

Please be aware that smart bags with built-in batteries that can’t be removed are banned both as cabin and checked in baggage.

You can visit our Dangerous Goods page for a full list of prohibited items.

If you can't find your baggage at the terminal, you should visit the baggage services desk at the airport. This is usually found in the customs hall near the baggage claim area.

At the baggage services desk you can fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) which will contain a unique reference number that we can use to trace your baggage. Then you can use your reference number to check the status of your baggage.

In the report you should include as much information about your baggage as possible, including the colour, brand and any identifying marks. If you have left the airport without filling out a report, please get in touch with us as soon as possible.

When we receive your baggage, we’ll contact you to arrange a delivery time, subject to approval by customs.

If your baggage has been damaged in transit, you need to file a claim before you leave the airport by approaching the nearest Emirates representative or the baggage services desk. This can usually be found in the customs hall, near the baggage claim area.

If you have left the airport without filing a claim, you must contact your local Emirates office within seven days in writing.

Occasionally, a bag may be delayed and subsequently delivered in a damaged state. In these cases, please contact Emirates.

A Property Irregularity Report (PIR) reference number is a unique code that helps us trace your delayed or damaged baggage. It has a combination of 10 letters and numbers, and can be found above your name on the PIR receipt. You can use your PIR reference number to check the status of your baggage.

Emirates offers Interim Relief (IR) compensation to all customers who have travelled to and from the US who have reported a missing piece of baggage. IR is also offered to passengers who have travelled on other routes when no baggage is received (excluding residents).

This can be used to purchase essential items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo and sleepwear. To claim IR compensation, please visit your nearest Emirates office with your passport and a receipt of your purchased ticket.

We undertake extensive tracking to reunite passengers with their bags. In the unfortunate incident that baggage is declared as lost, we will contact you in order to provide compensation.

Once we’ve found your baggage and it’s been cleared by customs, we aim to return your items within four hours (distance permitting), and we’ll be in touch immediately to arrange a delivery time that suits you.

However within some countries, local laws mean we can’t forward your bag to you, and you’ll need to collect it from the airport. If this is the case for your luggage we’ll let you know when you make your claim.

If your baggage has been held by customs, we’ll do our best to coordinate its release. In some cases, you may be asked to provide an authority letter authorising the opening of your baggage.

If we’re unable to coordinate the release of baggage, you will be contacted by our team to receive a full update.

When baggage is delayed, our team does everything possible to locate it.

During the first seven days we undertake ‘primary tracing’ – where we liaise with all the stations involved on the journey, conduct physical checks, investigate with our Security and Lost and Found teams, and check the ramp and store areas, in order to have items back with passengers as soon as possible.

If the baggage hasn't been located within seven days, we conduct intensive 'secondary tracing'. During this stage, we carry out thorough checks within all airports and with all airlines. We begin this process as soon as the customer completes the Baggage Inventory form and provides us with all required documents. This final check will be completed within ten working days.

Your cooperation with us, and the timely submission of documents, will speed up the process.

If your baggage status is ‘closed’ on emirates.com, it means you’ve either already been reunited with your baggage, or it’s on its way to you.

Sometimes traffic, the distance between the airport and the delivery address, and other circumstances outside our control can delay the return of your baggage. If you know the delivery company being used to return your baggage, you can contact them directly.

Please wait for six hours before getting in touch with us for an update.

If your baggage was lost on a non-Emirates flight, please contact the other airline directly for information.

Please note this applies even if you were travelling on an Emirates ticket but were rerouted on a flight with another airline.

Use the baggage tracker in the Emirates App to see where your bags are at every step of the journey. Select your trip under ‘My trips’ and choose ‘My baggage status’. You can follow your bag from check-in to loading on the aircraft, while it’s being transferred to a connecting flight, and see when it has arrived at your destination. Check the baggage belt number when your bags are ready to collect.

If your bag is delayed, the tracker will give you a reference number (called a PIR) and what we’re doing to return your bags to you. If you don’t have the app you can use the delayed or damaged baggage tracker on our website.

Checked baggage

Infant baggage allowances vary depending on whether the Weight Concept or Piece Concept applies. The allowance applicable will be mentioned on the infant ticket.

Weight Concept:

Infants have a baggage allowance of up to 10kg (22lb), which is included as part of the infant ticket price

Piece Concept:

Infant tickets include one piece of baggage, regardless of cabin class. This piece must be 23kg (50lb) or less, with total dimensions (length width, height) not exceeding 150cm (59 inches).

Cabin baggage

Passengers travelling with infants in any class are also permitted one (1) handbag for inflight necessities and infant food (weight must not exceed 5 kg/11lb) and one (1) fully collapsible stroller or carry-cot as a carry-on item, as long as cabin space is available and you are not bringing a child seat. If no space is available in the cabin, the stroller/carry-cot must be transported as checked baggage in the hold.

Passengers with special requirements are entitled to certain additional baggage allowances, free of charge but subject to the following limitations:

• Passengers with sleep disorders are permitted to carry one sleep apnea device, either CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) or PAP (Positive Airway Pressure) as checked baggage subject to IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. For information on the use of these devices in flight, please see our information on health and Accessible travel.
• Passengers who are dependent on a wheelchair may travel with a fully collapsible wheelchair stored in the aircraft hold. Passengers who are dependent on braces or crutches may also travel with these items stored in the aircraft hold.
• Passengers travelling with battery-powered wheelchairs should contact their local Emirates office with details before commencing their journey.
• Passengers who are dependent on a portable kidney dialysis machine are entitled to travel with one machine and ancillary equipment loaded in the aircraft hold.
• Assistance dogs of vision and hearing-impaired passengers may be loaded in the hold in kennels and will not be permitted in the cabin.

Piece Concept

Total dimensions (length + width + height) of each piece must not exceed 150cm (59 inches). Customers with individual items exceeding above dimensions up to 300cm (118 inches) will be charged an additional fee. Individual items with total dimensions exceeding 300cm (118 inches) cannot be transported as checked baggage, and must be sent as cargo or freight. For customers with one or two pieces of luggage in all three classes, the total combined dimensions of both pieces should not exceed 300cm (118 inches).

• one pair of skis, one pair of ski poles and one pair of ski boots or
• one snow board and one pair of boots.

• one pair of standard water skis or
• one slalom water ski.

Rescue equipment is considered normal baggage and will incur normal excess baggage rates if in excess of your baggage allowance. All equipment must conform to the Dangerous Goods Regulations. Contact your local Emirates office for details.

If your travel starts in the United States and the first carrier on your booking is not Emirates, different rules may apply – learn more.

Should your overall baggage weight or amount exceed the normal free allowance, excess baggage rates will apply. Please visit Purchase additional baggage allowance for more information.

All sporting equipment including golf equipment, bicycles and ski equipment

Emirates will accept sporting equipment as checked baggage and part of your standard baggage allowance. If you intend to take a bicycle as checked luggage, please contact us at least 24 hours in advance. Special packaging rules may apply.

Weight Concept

Individual items with total dimensions exceeding 300cm (118 inches) cannot be transported as checked baggage, and must be sent as cargo or freight. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Piece Concept

The total dimensions (length + width + height) of the entire division of sporting equipment must not exceed 300cm (118 inches). Any sporting equipment with total dimensions exceeding 300cm (118 inches ) cannot be transported as checked baggage and must be sent as cargo or freight.

At any time, should your overall baggage weight or number of bags, including sports equipment, exceed the complimentary free baggage allowance, excess baggage rates will apply. Please visit purchase additional baggage allowance for more information.

Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus – SCUBA

SCUBA equipment normally consists of diving suits, flippers, masks, snorkels, buoyancy control devices and so on. If air bottles are also carried, they must be emptied. 

Sporting weapons and ammunition

Firearms designed for sporting purposes, such as target pistols and rifles, air guns, safari rifles, hunting rifles etc, may be carried as checked baggage on Emirates flights under the following conditions:

• The firearm must be completely unloaded and, if possible, dismantled and packed inside a suitcase or standard gun case.
• The carriage of any type of firearms, ammunition and explosives, including items containing explosives, must be approved by Emirates no less than three days before your flight. Please complete the firearms form(only available in English) in the contact us section of our Help Centre to start the approval process. Please allow extra time for public holidays and weekends in your country of residence and the UAE.
• Ammunition must be securely stored in a strong, sealed box packed inside a suitcase and surrounded by other contents. The suitcase must not bear an ‘Explosive’ label.
• The maximum gross weight of the ammunition carried by any single customer is 5kg (11lb). Customers travelling in groups must carry ammunition in their own separate bags, with no single bag carrying more than the 5kg (11lb) limit.
• All fireworks and any other items containing explosives, for example Christmas crackers, firecrackers, bottle rockets, poppers and sparklers are forbidden to be carried either as carry-on baggage or as checked baggage on our flights.

The following special conditions apply to customers wishing to carry firearms on flights into or through Dubai:

• Customers who wish to bring firearms and ammunition into the UAE must obtain prior clearance from UAE Customs and the UAE Ministry of Defence. To obtain this clearance, customers must contact these government departments directly.
• For transfer and transit customers who are connecting to onward flights, prior clearance to travel with firearms and ammunition must be obtained from the Dubai Airport Police Department and the Department of Civil Aviation.

Ski equipment

Ski equipment can be carried as part of your normal baggage allowance. However, in some situations additional charges may apply when checking in ski equipment – please contact your local Emirates office for more information.

A set of snow ski equipment may consist of:

• one pair of skis, one pair of ski poles and one pair of ski boots, or
• one snow board and one pair of boots

A set of water ski equipment may consist of:

• one pair of standard water skis, or
• one slalom water ski

Learn more about the rules for ski equipment when travelling to or from destinations in North, Central or South America.

Other sports equipment

Emirates will accept wind surf boards, kite surfing equipment, kayaks, body boards, pole vault or other sporting equipment as checked baggage and part of your standard baggage allowance, provided:

• Any sails are detachable and collapsible.
• It is appropriately packed in a hard-shell packing case. If not a Limited Release will be required.
• The total dimensions do not exceed 300cm (118 inches).

For surf boards, the following precautions must be taken:

• Fins should always be removed, or, if they cannot be removed, should be firmly packed with polystyrene foam.
• Both nose and tail should have bubble-wrap or neoprene foam attached for protection.
• The rails (sides of the board) should have cardboard down the sides to absorb shock.
• The board should be packed in a properly padded surf-bag.

Should your overall baggage weight or amount exceed the normal free allowance, excess baggage rates will apply. Please contact your local Emirates office for information on excess baggage rates. For information on travelling with other sporting equipment, particularly sporting weaponry, please contact your local Emirates office, as other rules may apply.

Note: if your itinerary includes flights operated by other airlines, different baggage rules from the below may apply for these flights. For information on specific allowances for sports equipment, please contact us or the airline in question.

There is no special free baggage allowance for the carriage of musical instruments. Musical instruments can be carried on Emirates flights in three different ways:

• as normal checked baggage, subject to the usual limitations
• as normal cabin baggage, subject to the usual limitations
• as cabin baggage on an unoccupied seat in the passenger cabin if the instrument is within the usual size and weight limits for carry-on items, or on a paid-for seat in the passenger cabin if the instrument exceeds those limits.

Please note that certain specific conditions and limitations on the options outlined above apply to particular musical instruments. If you have any questions regarding a musical instrument with which you intend to travel on an Emirates flight, please contact your local Emirates office or your travel agent to review these conditions and limitations. If you wish to carry the item on a paid-for seat, please contact your local Emirates office to book this. This cannot be booked on emirates.com.

If your itinerary includes flights operated by other airlines, different baggage rules may apply for these flights – learn more.

Customers are allowed to carry TVs as checked baggage. However, as this is a fragile electronic device we require the TV to have appropriate packaging in order to withstand the normal rigours of air travel.

When checking in your TV you will be charged a handling fee of 75 USD, and will also need to sign a limited release. You can check in TVs up to 300cm (118 inches) with a total weight not exceeding 32kg (70lb).

The TV may be subject to overweight or oversized baggage fees depending on your baggage allowance. Please note that acceptance of TVs as checked baggage will depend on the airport you are departing from or arriving to. We recommend contacting the airport directly before travel.

If you’ve lost a piece of your property on board one of our aircraft, please contact the lost property office at the airport where your flight landed. The customer service agents there will be able to help you.

So if your flight landed in Dubai, you should contact Dubai Airports(Opens an external website in a new window).