The City of Dubai is served by the Dubai International Airport (DXB). The airport is located in close proximity to the city’s Deira Creek area, and is connected to it via the metro subway system, which I have rated one of the best in the world. More than 70 million passengers used the Dubai Airport in 2014, making it one of the world’s busiest.
The airport contains three passenger terminals, numbered 1, 2 and 3. Terminals 1 and 3 are directly connected with an area for transiting passengers. Terminal 2 is separate, but connected to terminals 1 and 3 by a shuttle bus, which is wheelchair accessible.
For passengers interested in gate-checking mobility equipment, it is possible to take manual and powered wheelchairs to the aircraft door in both the older Terminal 1 and modern Terminal 3.
Wheelchair users are offered expedited screening at security, and there is a dedicated line for wheelchair users at passport control. Accessible restrooms are located throughout the terminals.
I have compiled a list of airlines providing passenger service from each of the three terminals. Please check with your airline for your terminal and gate information, prior to arriving at the airport.
- Terminal 1: Aeroflot, Afriqiyah Airways, Air Algerie, Air Astana, Airblue, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Daallo Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Dijbouti Air, Dniproavia, EgyptAir, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Finnair, Fly Damas, Flynas, Georgian Airways, Gulf Air, IndiGo, Iran Air, Iraqi Airways, Jazeera Airways, Jet Airways, Jordan Aviation, Kabo Air, Kam Air, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, Libyan Airlines, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, MIAT Mongolian Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Nordstar Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Oman Air, Pakistan International Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Primera Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, RwandAir, S7 Airlines, Safi Airways, Saudia, Shaheen Air International, Sichuan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SmartWings, Somon Air, SpiceJet, SriLankan Airlines, Sudan Airways, Swiss International Airlines, Syrian Air, TAROM, Thai Airways, TUI Airlines Netherlands, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International Airlines, United Airlines, Ural Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Yemenia.
- Terminal 2: African Express Airways, Air India Express, Air Kyrgyzstan, Alexandria Airlines, Ariana Afghan Airlines, Caspian Airlines, Equatorial Congo Airlines, Eritrean Airlines, Euro-Asia Air, flydubai, Gryphon Airlines, I-Fly, Iran Aseman Airlines, Jubba Airways, Jupiter Airlines, Kish Air, Pegasus Airlines, Qeshm Airlines, TAAG Angola Airlines, Taban Air, Transavia, Travel Service, Turkmenistan Airlines.
- Terminal 3: Emirates, Qantas
More information on the airport, its design, layout and accessible accommodations, can be found at www.dubaiairports.ae.
Wheelchair Accessible Transportation to/from Dubai Airport
As outlined in the Dubai Public Transportation section of this accessible travel guide, the Dubai Metro’s red line offers service to/from DXB. The metro trains and stations are completely wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair accessible taxis can also be requested at the airport, but wait times may be up to 1 hour.
Your Rights and Check-in
If you have arrived to, or departed from Dubai on a direct flight from an airport in the United States or were a passenger on a U.S. carrier (to any destination), file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation for a violation of your rights under the ACAA if you have any problems or are made to wait more than 30 minutes for the return of your mobility equipment.
All passengers, especially disabled travelers, should arrive at the airport for check-in two hours prior to the departure of their flight. If you will require a loaner wheelchair to traverse the airport and terminal or need another type of disability assistance, contact your airline directly. For more information, or to read frequently asked questions about air travel with a mobility disability, consult the Wheelchair Users’ Guide to Air Travel.
