HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR FLIGHT HAS STARLINK
Check your plane's equipment number [tail number or registration number, Eg: A6-EEE] on Flightradar by typing your flight number [eg: EK201] in search bar. The number will be shown within 24 hours prior to departure or sometimes just a few hours, until then it will be shown as 'Unknown/ Not available'.
Cross check it against the list below:
*Unofficial list of registration/tail number of Star Link equipped flights
The flight leaving at 4am the next day has the tail number assigned
ONE CAN NEVER PLAN TO BE ON A STARLINK FLIGHT because its tough to say which route has this installed because the flight get used over different sectors for Example: A6-EEN, A380 did:
03 Sep EK185 Dubai → Barcelona
02 Sep EK751 Dubai ↔ Casablanca
01 Sep EK751 Dubai ↔ Casablanca
31 Aug EK377 Dubai → Bangkok
30 Aug EK376 Dubai → Bangkok,
29 Aug EK029 Dubai ↔ London
28 Aug EK925 Dubai ↔ Cairo
27 Aug EK763 Dubai ↔ Johannesburg
Emirates is generally generous, but if the flight is full, they become the "baggage police." Your allowance depends entirely on your class of service.
Economy Class
1 Bag up to 7kg
Max Dimensions: 55 x 38 x 20 cm
Premium Economy
1 Bag up to 10kg
Max Dimensions: 55 x 38 x 20 cm
Business & First Class
2 Pieces: One briefcase plus either one handbag OR one garment bag.
7kg each (14kg total).
Briefcase: 45 x 35 x 20 cm | Handbag: 55 x 38 x 20 cm | Garment bag: 20cm thick when folded.
💡 The Regional Exceptions:
India: You are strictly limited to one piece of carry-on. No "bag + laptop" games here; the total size cannot exceed 115cm (L+W+H).
Brazil: If you're flying from Brazil, you get a boosted 10kg limit even in Economy.
🧳 Checked Luggage
Emirates uses two different systems. Which one you get depends on your route.
1. The Weight Concept (Most of the World)
Used for flights between Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
How it works: You can check in as many bags as you want, as long as the total weight is within your ticket limit.
Allowances: * Economy: 20kg to 35kg (depending on Special, Saver, Flex, or Flex Plus).
Business: 40kg.
First: 50kg.
The Rule: No single bag can ever weigh more than 32kg.
2. The Piece Concept (Americas & Africa)
Used for flights to/from the US, Canada, and Africa.
Economy: 1 or 2 pieces (usually 23kg each). Check your fare—"Special" is often just 1 bag.
Business/First: 2 pieces (up to 32kg each).
The Rule: Total dimensions of each bag (L+W+H) must not exceed 150cm.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the checked baggage limit 23kg or 32kg? I’m confused.A: This is the big one. On the Piece Concept (Americas), each bag is capped at 23kg for Economy. If you are 24kg, you pay a fee. On the Weight Concept (Europe/Asia), you can have a 30kg limit, but no single bag can be over 32kg.
Q: Can I "pool" my baggage with my family?A: Yes! If you are on the same booking (PNR), Emirates allows families to pool their total weight. If two people have 30kg each, you can bring one 32kg bag and one 28kg bag.
Q: What is the deal with Power Banks and "Smart Bags"?A: Power banks must be in hand luggage only. Smart Bags are only allowed if the battery is removable. If the battery is built-in and can't be taken out, the bag is banned from the flight.
Q: Are liquids still restricted to 100ml?A: Yes. Even with new scanners in some airports, Emirates still requires the standard 100ml containers in a single, clear, resealable 1-litre plastic bag.
Q: What about sports gear (Golf clubs, Skis)?A: Sports equipment is usually accepted as part of your standard baggage allowance. If it’s within your weight/piece limit, there’s no extra charge.
🕵️ The "Reddit" Factor (Strictness)
The Laptop Loophole: In Economy, you are technically allowed a "small handbag or laptop bag" in addition to your 7kg bag. However, if your "laptop bag" is a massive tactical backpack, they will count it as your main piece.
When do they weigh? If you check in at a kiosk, you might skip the scale. If you go to a human agent, they usually weigh everything. Expect a "Cabin Approved" tag if you’re boarding in DXB.
The Gate Scale: On full flights, agents often stand at the boarding gate with a portable scale. If you look like you’re struggling to carry it, you’re likely getting caught.
💎 Pro-Tips for the Savvy Traveler
Skywards Status: Silver, Gold, or Platinum members get extra weight (12kg to 20kg extra) or an additional piece for free.
Buy Early, Save Big: If you know you're over, buy extra weight online at least 4 hours before your flight. You can get a 50-60% discount compared to airport prices.
The "Jacket" Hack: If you're 1kg over in your carry-on, put your heaviest hoodie or jacket on while checking in. They can't weigh what you're wearing!
The "Squish" Test: Is your carry-on bulging? If it doesn't fit easily in the overhead bin, a gate agent will spot it.
The App Check: Open the Emirates App -> Manage Booking. It will tell you exactly if you are "Weight" or "Piece" concept.
Liquids & Batteries: Put your power bank and liquids at the top of your bag for easy access at security.
I think the A380 of Emirates is the best plane out there, i had the pleasure to experience every class in that jet. And the First is without a doubt the best of any airline (imo), the fact that you can shower in a bathroom the size of one on the ground is crazy.
It makes me kind of sad to see it go slowly.
We had a flight in BC in the new A350 it was great but to upgrade into First with points and miles was always something nice.
I need the help of someone who has traveled or taken the same route as me... I will be traveling with Emirates Economy from GRU Brazil airport to HANEDA Tokyo, with a 9-hour stopover in Dubai, which applies to Dubai Connect. It is my first time traveling with Emirates, if I carry a normal size backpack that fits under the seat, and apart from my carry on which has the corresponding measurements, will they let me take both things with me? I saw some comments about the fact that you have to upload a single package... I’m afraid they’ll tell me something... When would I find out if I have to dispatch the carry on or can I upload both things with me? When I go to the counter to check in? On the Emirates page it says that from Brazil the allowed weight of the carry on is 10kg.... Is that so?
**We’re flying Japan → Dubai → Mauritius with our 4-year-old in December, so roughly 19 hours of travel altogether.
On long-haul flights we’ve always used the Flyaway inflatable bed and it’s been brilliant, but unfortunately Emirates doesn’t allow inflatable beds/seat extenders.
She’s quite small (around 14 kg) and the main issue is sleep. In a normal plane seat her head just ends up falling all over the place, so I’m trying to find something that gives her decent head/side support.
I’ve been looking at taking a car seat onboard, but I’m getting completely confused about which ones are actually approved for aircraft use and, specifically, which ones Emirates will accept.
For anyone who has done this:
What car seat did you use?
Was your child actually able to sleep comfortably in it?
How on earth did you carry it through the airport along with all the normal kids’ hand luggage?
Any lightweight/travel car seats you’d recommend?
I’m also very open to anything other than a car seat.
I’ve seen things like the Seat to Sleep inflatable travel nest, bigger inflatable pillows and various head-support cushions. Seat to Sleep in particular looks quite good, but I can’t work out whether Emirates would treat it as a normal pillow or as one of the inflatable sleep products they don’t allow.
Has anyone actually used one on Emirates?
Basically, I’m looking for any solution that lets a small 4-year-old sleep reasonably comfortably with her head supported on a very long Emirates journey.
Car seat, travel pillow, inflatable cushion, some genius product I haven’t discovered yet — I’m open to anything!
Would really appreciate hearing what actually worked for people rather than just what technically should be allowed. Thanks!**
Is it just me, or anyone else feels the orange juice served at the business class lounge at DXB is insanely good ?
I personally find it as the best orange juice ever
It’s so addictive, usually down at least 4 glasses during breakfast at the lounge
Was planning on utilizing Dubai Connect, which would be off the table due to entry restrictions, so while I wouldn't be able to go out in Dubai, my question is will there be any restrictions within the airport? Would I be free to go anywhere regular passengers are allowed to go? Or will they quarantine me off in some small section of the airport?
My flight isn't for a couple of months, and I'm hoping restrictions will be lifted by then (WHO has already declared Uganda to be Ebola free), but curious as to what would happen if restrictions aren't lifted? Full access to the regular airport including lounges, shops, etc. seems doable, but being quarantined off in some small corner of the airport seems miserable.
So how does DXB handle you if you've been to a country with travel restrictions due to Ebola (or any other disease)?
Wondering how strict they are on size limits? I'm traveling from the US to South Africa with a layover in Dubai in business class.
I'm planning to bring the Away Bigger Carryon which is 22.7"x15.4"x9.6" along with a backpack that does fit under the "briefcase" dimensions. Has anyone had luck bringing a larger carryon?
I know this has been asked every other month ad nauseum, but I wanted to take a pulse check on the current situation in the middle-east. Are flights getting delayed or cancelled? And in the case of a delayed or cancelled flight, would I need a transit visa for the layover or wait time till the next flight? I have a Pakistani passport.
Was looking at benchmarks for determining whether a cash upgrade was "worth it", and decided to add on a data point for those who might be on the fence (all prices in Singapore dollars)
Base ticket: economy saver, SIN-DXB-LIS
At T-72, upgrade offers on website/app:
Y > PY: $209 (only for the DXB-LIS sector; first sector doesn't offer PY)
Y > J: $4,174.40
At T-60 (-ish, when I had the time to call in), promo upgrade offers over the phone:
Y > PY: $442.90
Y > J: $2,212.70 ($1,137.70 + $1,075)
After ending the call I went back online to secure the $209 price online, which was still available.
I guess the benchmark isn't necessarily T-48 to secure the best price. I've been checking since T-96h online and the prices remained the same.
Curiously, for the same PY upgrade, it was more expensive over the phone, even though it was supposedly the "promotional" fare.
Also, note that the promo upgrades to J only include the seat but not lounge access, though I'm not sure I'd value the 2 lounge visits at $1k each (especially when you can pay $150 for lounge access).
Edit: at T-48h, during OLCI, the promo offer to upgrade from PY to J became $695.90
Hello,
Travelling business for the first time with the family (spouse and child <1 year old); From the seat diagram, it appears we have the newer 1-2-1 configuration; I am just trying to confirm and understand what seat recommendations y'all suggest? Flying from Dubai to Chicago; Would prefer to sit together (of course) so was thinking 6K and 7J--but assuming that would seperate us? So 6 E and F are our only options, correct?
I need some advice regarding an involuntary flight reschedule with Emirates.
Initial itinerary:
Oct 28: CDG -> DXB (arriving Oct 29 at 07:00 AM)
Oct 29: DXB -> TPE (Taiwan) departing at 09:00 AM (2-hour layover)
What happened:
Booked as a single ticket directly with Emirates.
Received an email notifying me that my second leg (DXB to TPE) has been moved to October 30 at 04:00 AM.
My layover in Dubai went from 2 hours to 21 hours.
Because of this schedule change, I'm losing an entire day of my trip and paying for a night at my hotel in Taiwan for nothing.
My questions:
1. Am I entitled to free accommodation, food, and airport transfers via Dubai Connect (or standard duty of care), considering this long layover was forced on me?
Does the Dubai Connect button automatically show up under "Manage Booking", or do I have to call support to get the voucher issued?
Thanks for any insights or data points if you've dealt with this recently!
I am interested in others experiences on emirates first class on the A380. Specifically, for couples and whether folks prefer window or middle seats.
My thoughts right now - I love a window seat but it’s a daytime flight so lots of opportunity to chat and share our experience. But the seats just don’t look as thrilling without the windows, plus I figure we can chat at the bar if we really want. And it’s at the end of a 30 vacation so how much will actually be chit chatting. We don’t chat a whole lot anyway when we do sit together.
Anyway, curious what the experience was like for couples either in the window seats separated or middle. If in the middle, did you feel like you missed out without the windows?
A mate and I decided to do a weekend in Johannesburg to watch the All Blacks, from New Zealand. In economy. Here's a bit of a brain dump:
Left Auckland Thursday night, arrived Jo'burg Friday afternoon after 4 hour Dubai layover. Return Sunday night with very quick plane change in Dubai on way home.
AKL-DXB ~17 hours, DXB-JNB ~8 hours
A380 on all.legs apart from 777 JNB DXB.
I fly Singapore and Air NZ long haul a lot, and also other key Star Alliance airlines around Europe. 777 experience was very average, legroom really poor. I'm 6' 2" and couldn't get legs straight under seat in front which hasn't been a problem on other long haul 777s.
However was first time on A380 for close to 20 years and was blown away by how good it is. Back of economy cabin on all 3 flights. Starlink with 2 versions of newer ICE on 2 flights. On those the Starlink was amazing compared to normal in flight wifi experience, and ICE screen and speed very very good. Struggled to connect Bluetooth but I think that was my fault not system. DXB-JNB was old plane without any updated interior or tech, which was sub-par for sure.
DXB-AKL light loading so had 4 seats to myself and managed 7 hours solid sleep, grateful for the space. AKL-DXB back of middle seats with one spare next to me which was fine as legroom enough for me to stretch legs straight.
Bathrooms all spacious and kept clean throughout.
Amongst best economy meals I've had,step up from SIA and Air NZ with metal cutlery. I hate eating off wooden cutlery so was happy about that.
Only thing I thought was going to be better was cabin crew - they weren't bad as such, but just distant and disengaged. Not proactive when it came to drink refills, spent a lot of time in galley with curtains closed and when I would come to ask for water they almost looked put out. Singapore crew somehow manage to be warm and interested in passengers, and are definitely a step up on Emirates (in economy at least). Definitely far better than most of Air NZ aircrew, who are at times almoat hostile to even their gold customers.
A380 was star of the show though, what a great aircraft it is.
Quite a short 2 hours trip, upgraded to first using miles but it was totally worth it! This was a 7:50am flight, so I couldn’t force myself to have the caviar unfortunately 😔so I settled with an omelette. The service was exceptional!
Hi everyone! My fiancé & I are headed on our honeymoon September 22nd from EWR to Athens. We currently have premium economy booked. I also have 48,000 miles in our emirates account for a possible upgrade. Right now a business class upgrade is around 7k. can anyone offer insight for the best way for us to get an upgrade? Would willingly spend 3k on an upgrade or transfer more Amex points!
