How to Check In Online for Emirates
Via emirates.com (My Trips) or the Emirates mobile app
✓ Last verified: April 2026
- 1 Go to emirates.com and click "My Trips" in the top navigation.
- 2 Enter your booking reference and last name, or log into your Emirates Skywards account.
- 3 Select passengers to check in.
- 4 Choose or confirm your seat — seat selection is included for most fare types in Economy and all Business/First class.
- 5 Add any meal preferences if available.
- 6 Confirm check-in and download your boarding pass. Mobile boarding pass can be added to Apple/Google Wallet.
Check-In Details at a Glance
Skywards priority still applies after you check in online
Completing web check-in does not waste your Skywards status. Silver, Gold and Platinum members use a separate priority baggage-drop lane at Indian airports, marked with Skywards or Business Class signage, which is shorter than the standard queue. Walk up with your mobile boarding pass and Skywards card, digital or physical, and bag-tag printing plus document checks happen faster at the priority counter.
Gold and Platinum members also get priority security access at most Indian airports. Emirates runs dedicated lounges at major Indian hubs for Business, First and qualifying Skywards members; some Gold members get access depending on the cabin booked, so check the eligibility printed on your boarding pass.
Documents and bag drop: the two airport steps web check-in cannot skip
For most Indian travellers on Emirates, web check-in cuts the airport to two steps: document verification and bag drop. Carry a passport with at least six months validity from your return date, your visa or ETA, an onward or return ticket, and for some destinations proof of accommodation or funds. For UAE entry the visa is usually electronic and tied to your passport, but carry a printout of the visa approval just in case.
At the dedicated Emirates counter, staff weigh and tag your luggage after checking documents. If you carry only cabin baggage, you can skip bag drop entirely and head straight to immigration with the mobile boarding pass on your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Emirates web check-in open and close?
Emirates web check-in opens 48 hours before departure. It closes 0 minutes before domestic flights and 90 minutes before international flights. After the window closes, you must check in at the airport counter.
What do I need to check in online for Emirates?
You need your 6-character PNR/booking reference (found in your booking confirmation email) and the passenger's last name exactly as entered during booking. Some airlines also accept email address or frequent flyer number as an alternative identifier.
Can I choose my seat during Emirates web check-in?
Free seat selection included for most Economy and all Business/First class fares. Saver fares may restrict free seat selection.
What boarding pass options does Emirates offer?
Mobile boarding pass or printout. Both accepted at Dubai (DXB) and most international airports. Emirates lounge access boarding passes also supported.
What happens if I miss Emirates web check-in?
If you miss the web check-in window, you can still check in at the airport counter or self-service kiosk. However, available seat choices may be limited. Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before domestic departure and 3 hours before international departure to allow enough time for check-in and security.
Where do I find my Emirates PNR for check-in?
Your Emirates PNR (Passenger Name Record) is the 6-character booking reference in your booking confirmation email or e-ticket. If you booked through HappyFares, your PNR is visible in the HappyFares app under "My Bookings". The PNR is also printed on your itinerary receipt.
Are preferred seats free at Emirates web check-in?
Standard economy seats are free at web check-in if available, but preferred seats such as extra-legroom, front rows and twin seats are chargeable per leg, and exit-row seats are paid in economy. Business and First Class passengers select any available seat free of cost.
What Skywards tier privileges apply at Indian airports even after web check-in?
Silver gets a priority check-in lane. Gold adds Skywards lounge access at major Indian airports, priority boarding and priority security. Platinum adds First Class lounge access and chauffeur on select fares. These perks combine with web check-in rather than replacing it, so you still use the priority bag-drop counter.
Can I web check-in for an Emirates codeshare flight operated by a partner airline?
All Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First Class passengers on Emirates-operated flights can web check-in. Codeshare flights operated by partner airlines may require check-in on the operating carrier's website instead. Group bookings of nine or more passengers and unaccompanied minors typically cannot use online check-in.
Which Emirates special meal codes suit Indian travellers, and when must I request them?
Relevant codes are AVML (Asian or Indian vegetarian, includes dairy), VOML (Vegetarian Oriental), HNML (Hindu non-vegetarian, no beef or pork) and VJML (Jain, no root vegetables). Request a special meal well in advance, ideally at booking, since galley loading happens before departure and last-minute requests cannot be guaranteed.
Does web check-in remove the visa and document check at the airport?
No. Emirates verifies your passport, visa or ETA, return ticket and sometimes proof of accommodation at the bag-drop counter or document desk for visa-required destinations. If documents fail verification, you will not be boarded even with a printed boarding pass, because airlines face fines for flying passengers without valid entry documents.
Is my Emirates mobile boarding pass accepted across Indian airports?
Yes. Major Indian airports including DEL, BOM, BLR, MAA, HYD, COK, GOI, AMD and TRV accept Emirates mobile boarding passes. CISF scans the QR code at security entry and gate staff scan it again at boarding. Add the pass to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for offline access during Wi-Fi outages.
When should I print a paper boarding pass instead of using mobile?
Print a paper backup if you are connecting through a country with stricter document requirements such as Saudi Arabia or Iran, since the second leg's airline may require paper. Also print for elderly passengers who may struggle with QR displays. If your phone dies, the Emirates counter can re-issue a paper pass.
Can lap infants be web checked-in on Emirates from India?
No. Lap infants under 2 without their own seat cannot be web checked-in; visit the airport Emirates counter with the infant's passport and birth certificate. Bassinet seats are bulkhead rows reserved for the smallest infants and must be requested at booking, not at check-in.
How do I cancel my Emirates web check-in if my plans change?
Open Manage Booking on the Emirates site or app, find your checked-in flight and select Cancel check-in. This is useful if you need to change your flight or seat after checking in. Cancellation must happen before the web check-in window closes for your flight.
What does the Emirates app offer that the website cannot for India flights?
The app stores the boarding pass under My Trips and pushes a reminder when check-in opens. It shows live flight status, gate changes and baggage-belt info on arrival, and pushes boarding-call notifications. Indian airports scan the QR code directly from the app at every checkpoint.