Emirates has relaunched its Dubai Connect offer, providing a free hotel stay to customers with long layovers in Dubai.

The service applies to passengers booked in all classes of travel where the “best connection time” through Dubai International exceeds ten hours.

Eligible customers will receive a complimentary night’s stay in either a four or five-star hotel, as well as ground transfers to and from the airport, meals at the hotel, and a UAE visa on arrival where required.

The offer applies to all new and existing bookings, for travel from December 1.

The carrier said that the service would ensure that “travelling through Emirates’ hub is seamless despite the altered flight schedules during the Covid-19 pandemic”, adding that it was aimed at customers whose best connection time is between ten and 24 hours.

Emirates also said that “Those who qualify for Dubai Connect but are unable to leave the airport” will be given access to the airline’s Dubai Connect airport lounge.

The carrier has been gradually rebuilding its network following the onset of Covid-19, and is now serving over 90 destinations. But this is still well below what Emirates would have been operating under normal circumstances, and frequencies on some routes are significantly lower than before the pandemic.

emirates.com