Air Arabia vs Emirates
Side-by-side comparison of Air Arabia and Emirates: cabin and checked baggage allowances, fees, online check-in deadlines, alliances, hubs and contacts.
United Arab Emirates
| Air Arabia | Emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United Arab Emirates | United Arab Emirates |
| Founded | 2003 | 1985 |
| Type | Low-cost carrier | Full-service airline |
| Main hubs | Sharjah International Airport | Dubai International Airport |
| Aircraft types | 2 | 2 |
| Cabin bag weight | 10 kg (22 lb) | 7 kg (15 lb) |
| Cabin bag size | 55 × 40 × 20 cm (22 × 16 × 8 in) | 55 × 38 × 20 cm (22 × 15 × 8 in) |
| Checked bag (Economy) | not included | 20 kg (44 lb) |
| Extra bag fee | from 20 AED | from 30 USD / kg |
| Online check-in opens | 2 days | 2 days |
| Online check-in closes | 1 h | 1 h 30 min |
| Airport check-in fee | free | free |
| Customer service phone | - | +971 4 708 1111 |
Key differences
- Air Arabia allows a heavier cabin bag: 10 kg (22 lb) vs 7 kg (15 lb) at Emirates.
- Air Arabia lets you check in online closer to departure (1 h vs 1 h 30 min).
- Air Arabia is a low-cost carrier: expect a cheaper base fare with bags, seats and airport check-in sold separately, while Emirates bundles more into the ticket.
Other comparisons
Allowances shown are for the basic Economy fare on most routes. Fees are the lowest published prices and change often - confirm on the official websites before booking.