Emirates Chaffeur Service to Manchester Airport

What is the Emirates Chaffeur Service?

Emirates are currently, at Manchester at least, the only airline still offering a chaffeur service. As part of you Emirates Business or First Fare (excluding certain classes, see below) you are picked up from home and whisked to the airport in style.

Booking is very simple, it's part of the app and website and you book your car relative to you planned departure time. e.g. if your departure is planned for 20:40, you can book from 5 hours to 3 hours before your flight in 15 minute intervals. Each adult is entitled to their own car and for larger groups mini vans are available.

This review is based on the lounge in Terminal 1, in Winter 2024.

For our trip, which was the evening flight, I wanted the maximum time in the Emirate Lounge in Manchester Airport so I booked for the maximum 5 hours prior to departure with a 70 minute expected drive time. In hindsight I wouldn't book quite so early, I'll explain why below.

We booked a single car for us both, allowing for 2 large and a medium suitcase plus hand luggage each. Two days before my phone rang with an unkonw number and it was the chaffeur service phoning to confirm arrangements. All was good and correctly confirmed - outside of the UAE the chaffeur service is contracted out so the company had introduced themselves.

On the day the driver, in a spotless black Mercedes, arrived at 15:32... Very precise and as expected, almost 10 minutes early - the driver doesn't want to keep you waiting. Our driver, Scott, knocked on the door and introduced himself, verifying we were who he was expecting and we were going to the airport. He checked what luggage we had and carried them to the car for us whilst we finished locking up the house and checking our documents.

He sat us down in the car, allowed us to settle , showed us where a bottle of water was for us and then confirmed the journey time to the airport. The journey was very comfortable and safe - not like some of the taxi services we have experienced in the years.

We were driven to the drop off area (this was terminal 1, terminal 2 experience might differ) with Scott apologising that he couldn't leave the vehicle due to airport regulations and pointing to where the checkin desks would be. There was no attempt by him to receive a tip, in fact he kept his distance as if to ensure that was the way.

Once through the door we were right by the checkin desks - and next to the Firs & Business Class desks, which were quiet and no queues, although the various Economy (had and hadn't checked in) already had queues.

Who can use Emirates Chaffeur Service to Manchester Airport

Anyone travelling on an outbound Emirates flight on a Business (excluding 'Special' fares, but including 'Saver'), First Class has Chaffeur Service included. There is a mileage limit and only adult fares include the Chaffeur Service, but if a family of 4, for example, is travelling, the parents can each book a car and travel with a child or possibly request a mini bus.

How to book Emirates Chaffeur Service to Manchester Airport

If it's included in your ticket then you will see the option to book it when you sign in to the app or website. As long as you book at least 48 hours before the departure you are fine and you book the pickup time anywhere between 3 and 5 hours before the scheduled departure. The driver will aim to be with you 10 minutes early so that you are leaving your pickup at the booked time, rather than him arriving at that time. The Chaffeur Service was included as part of our flights as part of our itinerary of Abu Dhabi.

How early to book the Chaffeur Service for?

We booked for the maximum 5 hours before the flight, which with a very quick pickup meant we were checking in 4 hours pre flight. Along with the fasttrack through security (not open when we went through as security was quie) we were probably in the lounge 3:45 before the flight which meant the lounge was not serving hot dishes when we arrived. I'd probably book slightly later another time, but not too late in case of traffic / security etc.

Is the Emirates Chaffeur Service Adults only?

Although it is only available on Adult tickets, a child can share with an adult. However, if a family of 4 books 2 cars an adult HAS to travel in each car.

Can I pay on the day?

No, it must be pre booked at least 48 hours in advance and only available for the relevant tickets.