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Before you fly

Rules and notices

Read international rules and regulations, as well as our conditions of carriage and your legal rights.

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)

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)

Canada notices

Following notice to travellers from CBSA on API/PNR Programs

The CBSA is authorized to collect advance arrival information (under subsection 107.1(1) of the Customs Act(Opens an external website in a new tab) and paragraph 148(1)(d) of the IRPA(Opens an external website in a new tab)), as well as advance departure information and exit records (section 93 of the Customs Act(Opens an external website in a new tab) and section 11 of the EIR(Opens an external website in a new tab)). The CBSA uses the prescribed information to identify persons who may pose a threat to Canada's safety or security. For travellers coming to Canada, these persons may be subject to investigation, and may undergo closer questioning or examination upon arrival. The CBSA also uses the prescribed information to validate, prior to departure, that all incoming air travellers hold a prescribed document to enter Canada or are exempt from that requirement, or are a prescribed person. For departing travellers, the CBSA will use advance exit information only to better identify high-risk persons and goods that depart, or intend to depart, Canada. CBSA entry and exit records may be shared with other government departments for immigration, social benefits or law enforcement purposes. All travellers may request a copy of the prescribed entry and exit information provided about them by making a request in writing to the CBSA. Any traveller who believes that the prescribed information provided about them was incorrect may make a request in writing to the CBSA to have the information corrected. Any traveller may complain in writing to the CBSA if they believe that the CBSA has unfairly refused to provide access to the prescribed information provided about them, has not corrected the prescribed information provided about them, or has otherwise incorrectly handled the prescribed information provided about them. Travellers can obtain more information by consulting the API/PNR, IAPI and Air Exit programs website(Opens an external website in a new tab).

Primary Inspection Kiosks

From 25 June, the Canada Border Service Agency will introduce Primary Inspection Kiosks on arrival in Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in place of the manual customs declaration form.

You can also download an app to complete the customs declaration before arrival. If you’re travelling on an Emirates flight to Canada, you can submit your Customs and Immigration declaration in advance through the ArriveCAN app within 72 hours before your departure to avoid delays on arrival in Canada. For more details, please visit the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) website.    

Canadian Air Passenger Rights Protection Regulations (APPR)

Learn more about our key terms and conditions of carriage. For full terms and conditions applicable to carriage to and from Canada, please see our Tariff.

Additional notices under the Canadian APPR:

If you have any questions related to your rights under the Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations, or to file a request for compensation, in the first instance, please contact our Customer Affairs department directly using the Feedback or Complaints Form. You can also contact the Canadian Transportation Agency. For more information, visit the Canadian Transportation Agency website(Opens an external website 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

Colombia notices

Right of Withdrawal and Retraction in Colombia
 
The following Right of Withdrawal and Retraction applies to tickets purchased in Colombia.
 
  • Right of Withdrawal – you can cancel your trip up to twenty-four (24) hours before the scheduled time of departure of your first flight and receive a refund. We may retain a fee of up to 10% of the fare, excluding fees, taxes, and administrative fees. The Right of Withdrawal is not applicable to promotional fares.
  • Right of Retraction – when you purchase a ticket through our website or via our customer contact centre, you may cancel your reservation within five (5) business days of the purchase date and request a refund. Please note that the Right of Retraction may not be exercised if the first flight on your itinerary departs within five (5) days of the purchase date.
Refunds will be made within a maximum period of thirty (30) days from the date of request. You may make a refund request for your booking via our online refund request form.
 

Reglamentos Aeronáuticos de Colombia, Actividades Aéreas Civiles (“RAC 3”)

Learn more about your rights in the event of denial of boarding, flight delay, flight cancelation and a flight that has been brought forward, under Colombia’s Reglamentos Aeronáuticos de Colombia, Actividades Aéreas Civiles (“RAC 3”). Complete text of RAC 3 may be accessed on the Civil Aviation Authority of Colombia website.

The Colombian authorities may be contacted via the website of the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce and the website of the Civil Aviation Authority of Colombia.

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)

Hong Kong, China 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.

For more information, please read the frequently asked questions about the ban on alternative smoking products(Opens page in a new tab).

Israel notices

Aviation Services Law

Learn more about your rights in the event of denied boarding, flight delay, flight cancellation, and a flight that has been brought forward, under Israel’s Aviation Services Law (Compensation and Assistance for Flight Cancellations or Changes of Conditions), 5772-2012 (ASL).

Consumer Protection Law

Learn more about your rights in the event of ticket cancellations according to Israel’s Consumer Protection Law, 5741-1981 (CPL).

Notice to Passengers on the Transfer of Data

We hereby inform you that Emirates Airline is obliged by the Law on Powers of Collection and Analysis of Data Regarding Passengers Entering or Leaving Israel (hereby – The Law), to submit data that it has acquired in the course of the ticket reservation process, to the National Center for Passenger Data Analysis (hereby – The Center). That data may be used by the authorities enumerated in the Law for the purposes set in the Law: combating terrorism, securing air travel, combating serious crime, improving border control and protecting public health. Such data shall be retained for the time periods set in the Law. You may find further information, including information regarding the protection of the data, as well as the full text of the Law, at the Center's website(Opens an external website in a new tab).

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 30 each, but Maldives nationals receive a reduction 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 18 for each tax they are not required to pay. These rates are applicable regardless of the journey type, however it is only applicable on Economy and Premium Economy tickets.

For more information please visit https://mira.gov.mv/Pages/View/whatisairporttaxesandfees(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.

United Kingdom notices

EC Regulation No 261/2004 (as amended by The Air Passenger Rights and Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulation 2019) gives passengers boarding a flight in the UK certain rights in the event of denied boarding, cancellation, or long delay of flights.

If you believe you are entitled to compensation according to these notices, please contact our Customer Affairs department directly using the online Feedback or Complaints Form to make a claim.

In the UK, you can log a complaint with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Passenger Advice and Complaints Team (PACT) by completing the online complaint form, via the CAA website.

Read the full Conditions of Carriage

Summary of Key Terms

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Emirates will make sufficient resources available to implement this Plan.
  6. 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).
  7. 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.

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