Emirates is managing over half a million refund requests, that have piled up ever since flights were cancelled. However, Emirates assures customers that their refunds will be credited by early August. As of today, the airline has returned AED 1.9 billion to its customers in two months. The Dubai-based airline has cleared nearly 650,000 refund requests in the past eight weeks.
In April, Emirates announced an increase its refund capabilities and promised to clear refunds by August. At that time, the airline had nearly early half a million refund requests. However, the airline crossed the target two months ahead by increasing requests from 35,000 a month, to nearly 200,000. In addition, the average time for processing refunds has also reduced from 90 to 60 days.
Emirates Updates Booking Policies
Apart from facilitating faster refunds, the airline has also resumed operations to a host of destinations. In line with this, Emirates also updated its booking policies to provide more flexibility to its customers. Travellers who purchase a Flex or Flex Plus fare by July 31 for travel before November 30 will get the following benefits:
– Free date change for travel in the same class to the booked destination
– Free rebooking to any alternate Emirates destination in the same region
– Extended ticket validity for two years from the purchase date
– The ability to convert the ticket value to a travel voucher that can be used as credit towards future Emirates purchases
Emirates Reopens Lounge, Resumes Chauffeur Services
Emirates’ premium customers can once again enjoy the airline’s signature Chauffeur Drive service (CDS) and airport lounge at its Dubai hub. Emirates has implemented a comprehensive set of measures to ensure the safety of its customers and employees. Meanwhile, Emirates recently released a new video, conveying that they are ready to welcome business visitors and tourists to the UAE from July. Watch it here.
In the first phase, Emirates will open one lounge in Terminal 3 Concourse B, Dubai International Airport (DXB). The lounge will serve First Class, Business Class and eligible Emirates Skywards and will open at 10 am. Lounge guests will enter through biometric gates using facial recognition to reduce contact. The airline plans to reopen more lounges in Dubai and around the world in the coming months.
The 9,209 square metre space in DXB will offer Emirates’ premium customers a quiet haven to relax and recharge prior to their flights, operating with a reduced seating capacity and increased space between each occupied seat to aid social distancing. Masks are mandatory in the lounge, as in the airport.
Lounge facilities and amenities have been modified to ensure customer comforts are offered in keeping with the highest health and safety standards, reducing contact and risk of infection. Food in the lounge are now offered in hygienically sealed meal boxes, including vegetarian options, instead of a buffet offering. Complimentary beverages, including spirits, will be offered in single serve bottles. Wine and champagne, served from shared bottles, will be temporarily unavailable.
The lounge will be sanitised and fumigated at the end of each day. In addition, throughout the day, lounge employees will sanitise each seat and table after each customer leaves. Emirates Lounge employees will wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for the customers’, as well as their own protection.
Emirates Resumes Chauffeur Drive Service
Emirates will also resume its complimentary Chauffeur Drive service for First and Business Class customers in Dubai and other cities from 1 July. The cars in Dubai are cleaned and disinfected inside and out at the end of each shift. The drivers in Dubai will wear masks and gloves, and stringent checks are in place to ensure the drivers are fit for work. The “high touch” points of the vehicle such as door handles, and the handles of each customer’s luggage will be sanitised at the end of the trip. Child car seats are available on request and are disinfected and then shrink wrapped after each use. Each car will be limited to 3 customers and masks are mandatory for passengers in Dubai. Larger vehicles, which can accommodate 4 passengers, are available on request.
At the airport, complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes are distributed to all customers. Dubai International airport also employs enhanced disinfecting and deep cleaning throughout the terminal. Emirates’ modern aircraft cabins have been fitted with advanced HEPA air filters which remove 99.97% of viruses and eliminate dust, allergens and germs from cabin air for a healthier and safer on-board environment. After its journey and on landing in Dubai, each aircraft will go through enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes to ensure safety and proper sanitation.
In other news, Emirates’s A380- The World’s Largest Passenger Plane Is Returning To The Skies.