Dubai’s Future Airport Will Let You Check In Luggage from Etihad Rail Stations

Imagine hopping on a train to the airport and checking in your luggage before you even arrive. That’s what Dubai has in store for travelers at the upcoming Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central).

According to Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, the future passenger service of Etihad Rail will connect directly to the mega-airport—and passengers will be able to check in their bags right at the train station. Talk about cutting down those pre-flight stress levels.

No Queues, No Hassle—Just Biometrics

Griffiths also teased a bigger goal: eliminating check-in altogether. Instead, travelers could soon breeze through the airport using biometric scans and automated systems that make the entire process frictionless.

This fits right into Dubai’s larger vision of redefining what a “smooth airport experience” looks like—fast, efficient, and futuristic.

A Whole Underground World Below

And here’s another wild feature: the new airport will have its own underground train system. Unveiled earlier this year at the Arabian Travel Market, this high-speed transport network will move passengers around the sprawling complex—which is so big that getting from one side to another could take as long as a 20-minute train ride, similar to going from King’s Cross to Paddington in London.

Unlike quick airport shuttles, these trains will have seating areas since the travel distance within the airport itself will be substantial. Griffiths said the system must be “fast, efficient, and competitive” to keep transfers smooth for up to 260 million passengers per year.

The World’s Biggest Airport in the Making

When it’s all done, Al Maktoum International Airport will span 70 square kilometers—that’s five runways, over 400 aircraft gates, and five passenger terminals. It’ll also use AI-driven logistics to direct travelers to the most convenient terminal, cutting down on walking and waiting times.

There’ll even be visual navigation markers, helping passengers estimate how far they are from their flights.

The Dhs128 billion project is being developed under the leadership of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and while the first phase won’t be ready for another decade, it’s expected to handle 150 million passengers annually once operational.

The Future of Travel, Dubai Style

So yes—Dubai’s next-gen airport won’t just be the largest in the world, it’s shaping up to be the most convenient too. Whether you’re checking in from a train, gliding underground, or walking straight to your gate via AI-guided routes, flying out of Dubai might soon feel less like a hassle and more like part of the adventure.