Arrived into DXB today at around 11 in the morning, was at the CD Desk by around 11:40, and there was not a single BMW 520i in sight.

Two or three old Volvo V70's, a few E200's (for first class), and an old Mercedes Viano people carrier, with a practically broken AC, which I ended up taking since I had requested for 2 cars and they didn't have any. I have never in my life seen the CD car lot so empty.

In total, there must've been around 8-10 cars there.

Booking a chauffeur at DXB - hotel is unknown
 

We are flying at the end of September.

We have a 6+ hour layover in Dubai and Emirates has booked a hotel in Dubai- the hotel is unknown to us as of yet. We are to pick up a voucher at the counter prior to boarding.

The question is can I book a chauffeur drive if I don't know which hotel we are going to yet?

Hi Queen B,

Hotels are not confirmed by Emirates until 48h before departure so you won't be able to book that. IME I have jut gone to the CD counter when I land. Although for that short a turnaround I'd just find out your hotel and take a taxi as it will be much quicker!

I see, It's our first time flying emirates.
I had assumed that if I booked a driver that he would be waiting for us at the arrival.

The Dubai Connect service operates a little differently. Does it give you the option to book a driver for your stopover hotel? If so then go for it.

In Dubai due to the sheer volume of arrivals using chauffeur drive it's on demand. After customs turn right there's a dedicated chauffeur drive area, they'll assign you a car (basically no wait) and you walk out (20m to exit) and there are all the cars. No need to pre-book or enter a destination in advance.

Once you wish to return to the airport you inform the hotel front desk or if there is a dedicated Emirates CD desk or person inform them and they'll have a car for you within minutes to take you back. It is all very seamless and done dozens of times a day for other pax (if not hundreds). Hotel will be Le Meridien or Al Bustana (or similar, stayed there, decent). Assuming you're in J or F due to CD reference. If in Y it'll be a shuttle bus but largely the same (different hotel).

As this is primarily a Dubai Connect question refer also this this thread:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/emirates-skywards/1404492-dubai-connect-stpc.html

Thank you Skywardhunter!

Name of company that EK contracts for LHR/LGW operations ?

For CD or ground ops? Ground Ops I think is Swissport or dnata, something tells me it was the former, now the latter. For CD isn't it the scamsters? PCS or something.

I thought PCS was only for BHX and MAN and they used Tristar for LHR (not sure about LGW).

dnata at LGW - CD is Carey at LGW.

At LHR they use multiple firms for CD.

Thanks , tristar was the name i was looking for ! :cool:

Tesla Model X at SYD, owned and operated by evoke limousine services.

More than once people booked a car at Glasgow to the Holiday Inn. To get to the vehicles you had to walk past the hotel.

Nice to see EK using a completely emissions free chauffeur service.

Main post updated. Do you think all CD cars for SYD will be Tesla's from now on or will they still use other companies as well?