Emirates reinstates chauffeur drive service

Emirates has reversed a decision to suspend its complimentary chauffeur drive service for first class and business class passengers until April 2021.

“In response to the latest developments in travel restrictions and customer demand around the world and for the safety of our passengers, Emirates Chauffeur Drive service was temporarily suspended," an Emirates spokesperson tells Executive Traveller.

"The safety of our customers is always our top priority and after a full review with our service providers, we are pleased to resume Emirates Chauffeur Drive Services from July 1st. Any further updates will be announced when available.  We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

PREVIOUS [May 21, 2020] | Emirates is suspending its complimentary chauffeur drive service for first class and business class passengers until April 2021.

The service, which has become a hallmark of Emirates' premium travel experience, was put on ice last month when the Gulf airline resumed flights to a limited number of destinations – although with the UAE's ban on transit passengers in place, those flights were more for bringing the nation's citizens home.

"Following a recent re-assessment of Chauffeur Drive Service, a decision has been made to extend the discontinuation of the complimentary Chauffeur Drive Service," Emirates is now advising some passengers. "Effective 20th May 2020, Chauffeur Drive Service  will no longer be available to book on any EK routes, class of travel or customer profile until April 2021."

As previously reported, Emirates has also scaled back several aspects of its inflight service for first class and business class travellers, and is also looking to slash the size of its Airbus A380 fleet to suit heavily-reduced demand.

Read more: "The A380 is over" declares Emirates president

In mid-2019 Emirates launched a ‘business class special’ airfare which removed core components of the business class proposition, notably chauffeur drive and lounge access.

Several other airlines have also dropped their chauffeur drive service in recent years, including Emirates' neighbour and competitor Etihad Airways  and Virgin Atlantic.

Last month saw Qantas pull the plug on its chauffeur drive service for business and first class flyers.

The free ride was originally offered to premium cabin customers bound for London, Dubai and the USA, but over subsequent years was scaled back to include only the London route.

Also read: Emirates delays premium economy launch, won't retrofit older jets

David Flynn

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.