Pure Luxury: How Does Emirates' Chauffeur Drive Service Work? (2024)

There are only a handful of airlines that provide their most premium passengers with a chauffeur service. In Europe, Lufthansa leads the way; in Asia, it is Air China; and in the Middle East, Etihad and Emirates have delighted their customers with this service. Around the end of last year, Emirates resumed chauffeur services at Tokyo Haneda. But how does the chauffeur service at this world’s largest A380 operator take place? Let’s find out.

Eligibility for Emirates’ Chauffeur services

Accessibility to Emirates Chauffeur Drive depends on a number of factors, such as where you’re headed, how you booked your journey, in which class you are seated, and the flight number on your ticket.

Photo: Emirates

The following is a list of people eligible for Emirates' Chauffeur-drive services:

Emirates iO

iO is a secret, exclusive tier of Emirates. The members of this class (which is known as invitation only), irrespective of the class they are traveling in, will have a Chauffeur-drive service.

Emirates business class and first class passengers

Emirates business class and first class passengers can have chauffeur services as long as they are booked on an EK flight number. However, such passengers who are on a journey solely between the following destinations won’t be able to access the service:

• Australia and New Zealand
• Bangkok and Hong Kong
• Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro

Emirates Citibank World Mastercard customers

Emirates Citibank World Mastercard customers are also eligible for chauffeur services when flying with the carrier in economy on an EK flight number. Exceptions on the following flights exist:

• Between Australia and New Zealand
• Flights booked using frequent flier points

Photo: Emirates

The airline states that the Chauffeur‑drive service “is not available in a city when there is also a rail or bus service on the Emirates ticket for that city.” So, once you qualify for the chauffeur services, what perks do you exactly get? Let’s dive in deeper.

Picking up and dropping you

The details of the Emirates chauffeur ride depend on factors such as whether you are:

• Being driven from or to the airport
• In Dubai or at an outstation.

When you're requesting the chauffeur services, you have a say over how long before departure you’d like to be picked up. If you’ve made an advanced booking, the chauffeur service company will confirm all the details with you.

Photo: Abid Habib | Simple Flying

If you want to use a chauffeur service at an airport after a flight, you can find the chauffeur at the driver's service office in the arrival hall. There might be outstations without an office too. Nonetheless, drivers will be waiting in the arrival hall.

Third-party suppliers provide chauffeur driving services offered by Emirates, and the carrier mentions:

“Emirates is not responsible for any agreed transactions between the passengers and the Chauffeur‑drive service provider, for the acts or omissions of such suppliers, or for any deficiency in the facilities and services offered. In particular, Emirates has no liability for loss, personal injury, or death incurred during the use of such facilities and services unless such loss, personal injury or death is / are caused solely by Emirates' negligence.”

The driver will only wait for 15 minutes after the scheduled pick-up time.

Here’s where the chauffeur services will not be available in

As already discussed above, the Chauffeur-drive services aren’t available everywhere or to everyone. Emirates has laid out where, when, or to whom these services will not be available:

• To minors unaccompanied in the car by a parent or guardian.
• On complimentary tickets or complimentary upgrades from Economy Class to Business Class.
• In conjunction with Skywards Business and First Class Classic Rewards and Economy to Business Class Upgrades
• On reward tickets booked via Emirates Skywards airline partners for travel on Emirates.
• In cities where the passenger is in transit (i.e. where there is less than 24 hours between connecting flights).

A few of the other terms and conditions highlighted by Emirates

Chauffeur services are only available for adult passengers. Additional charges will apply if an infant/ child car seat is needed or if you need a larger vehicle. A sedan can accommodate a maximum of 4 passengers (with “a total luggage limit of 2 suitcases plus one carry-on bag”).

Photo: Emirates

The model of the vehicle used will depend on availability. If you want to travel beyond the mileage limit, you can do so if you pay an extra fee. The option of paying the extra fee for the chauffeur on collection isn't available in most cities, so you must ensure it is done before your journey starts.

All in all

The Emirates Chauffeur-drive service is a thing of pure luxury. And one thing many people tend to forget is that tips, taxes, and tolls are already included in the chauffeur service fee. But, if you still wish to tip the driver some extra, there's no stopping you.