Say goodbye to queues: Check-in-free travel coming for hand baggage flyers at Dubai Airports
Cameras have already replaced traditional immigration checks
DUBAI – Dubai Airports is set to revolutionise the travel experience for passengers carrying only hand luggage, with plans to remove the need for traditional check-in procedures.
Travellers will soon be able to bypass check-in entirely, significantly reducing waiting times and queues at the airport. The move forms part of a broader initiative to streamline passenger processing using advanced technology.
The initiative comes alongside the launch of a new AI-powered red carpet corridor at Terminal 3, which currently caters to Business Class passengers. The smart tunnel uses facial recognition to speed up passage, eliminating the need for a passport or boarding pass.
Dubai Airports plans to expand this service to a wider group of travellers in the near future. Meanwhile, Terminal 3 continues to host the FIX Chocolate pop-up, which remains open until the end of the year.
What changes are coming?
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, emphasised that travellers’ most valuable commodity is time. During his keynote address at Dubai Airshow 2025, he explained that eliminating check-in for hand luggage passengers will allow for faster flows through the airport, without compromising security. Cameras have already replaced traditional immigration checks, and further measures are underway to reduce friction at security points.
“There's nothing more intrusive than airport security in some airports,” Griffiths said. “We live in an exciting age where technology can simplify and speed up processes, so no queues and red lines. The idea is not to add steps, but to remove them.”
How will this affect passenger flow?
By eliminating the check-in step, Dubai Airports anticipates a fourfold increase in passenger capacity through the same space in a quarter of the time. The new processes respect travellers’ time while enhancing efficiency. The airport is committed to creating a frictionless journey without compromising safety or security.
World’s largest airport transition
Looking ahead, Griffiths highlighted Dubai International Airport’s relocation to Al Maktoum International Airport in 2032 as “the world’s largest transition.” The new airport will initially have a capacity of 150 million passengers, growing to 260 million by 2057. DXB is expected to cross the 100 million passenger mark within two years, with 114 million anticipated by 2031.
The innovations being tested today, including AI-powered corridors and check-in-free travel, will form part of the industrial-scale processes at Al Maktoum Airport, ensuring Dubai remains at the forefront of global aviation.