Dubai Airport revolutionises travel with remote check-in and direct luggage delivery
Future DWC terminal to feature fully automated passenger processing
DUBAI: Travelling through Dubai International Airport (DXB) has taken a significant step towards convenience with the introduction of new luggage services.
Thanks to a collaboration between marhaba, part of Emirates’ dnata, and the baggage technology firm DUBZ, passengers can now check in remotely and have their luggage delivered directly to their home or hotel.
This move aims to eliminate traditional baggage handling hassles, making journeys smoother and stress-free.
Seamless check-in
Under the newly integrated services, travellers can opt for Check-In Anywhere, allowing them to complete the check-in process from their residence, hotel, or office. Trained agents issue boarding passes and collect luggage to transport it securely to the airport. This service effectively removes the need to queue at the airport and manage luggage before departure.
For arriving passengers, the Land and Leave service means skipping the baggage claim area entirely. Passengers can leave the airport immediately after landing while their luggage is delivered to their doorstep or hotel within hours. This is particularly useful for business travellers or tourists eager to begin their stay without delay.
Flexible storage options
Additionally, marhaba offers Baggage Storage and Delivery, which caters to early arrivals, transit passengers, or travellers with late hotel check-ins. Luggage can be stored safely and delivered on the same day anywhere within the UAE. This flexible service helps passengers explore Dubai without the burden of carrying their bags.
All services are accessible online, with physical service points located across Dubai for added convenience.
The popularity of these services is evident in the numbers. In 2024 alone, over 70,000 passengers utilised DUBZ’s off-airport check-in, Land and Leave, and baggage storage and delivery options — a 15% increase from 2023. This rise aligns with findings from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which reported that 70% of travellers prefer to check in luggage in advance to avoid airport queues.
Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at dnata, highlighted that the integration of these services responds directly to the evolving expectations of modern travellers seeking speed and convenience.
Looking ahead
dnata CEO Steve Allen has confirmed these services will expand to Dubai’s upcoming new passenger terminal at Dubai World Central (DWC), projected to open around 2032. The $35 billion facility aims to introduce fully automated, biometric-enabled passenger processing. Allen envisions a future where passengers will exit aircraft to find their luggage either waiting in the terminal or already delivered to their home or hotel.