Airline travelers are familiar with many baggage rules—limits on weight, number of bags and prohibited items—but Dubai International Airport has introduced a stricter regulation that affects oddly shaped luggage.
Effective March 8, passengers checking in for flights to or through Dubai with bags that lack any flat surface—such as round or irregularly contoured pieces—may be refused at check-in. In those cases, travelers will be required to have their items repacked into a box or replace the luggage with a compliant piece.
The airport says the rule aims to improve service, reduce the risk of mishandled baggage and boost the efficiency of check-in and baggage-handling systems. According to airport officials, bags without flat surfaces are a leading cause of conveyor jams and related delays.
“Bags that are round or do not have a flat surface of any kind are by far the largest source of baggage jams,” said Ali Angizeh, vice president of terminal operations at Dubai International Airport. “These jams can shut down sections of our system, delay baggage delivery to the aircraft, and inconvenience our customers.”
All airlines operating at Dubai International have been informed of the new requirement and are being asked to notify passengers in advance. The airport has posted warning signs throughout the terminals and updated information on its website and mobile app to help travelers prepare.
Airport officials emphasize the importance of communicating the change widely to minimize surprises at check-in and to keep baggage moving smoothly through the system. Travelers planning trips that include a Dubai connection are advised to check their carrier’s baggage guidelines and to choose luggage with a flat surface to avoid repacking or delays.