Asan Tata— October 9, 2026Knowing how to check airport arrival information is just as useful as checking departures — whether you are picking up a friend, meeting a business client, or making sure a family member’s flight landed safely. A quick look at the live arrivals board tells you the landing time, which terminal the flight will use, and whether the plane is delayed before you commit to the drive to the airport.
This guide covers every reliable way to check arrivals at UAE airports: official airport flight boards, airline websites and apps, flight tracking tools, search engines, and the arrivals screens inside the terminal. It also includes practical pickup tips so you arrive at the right time, at the right terminal.
Quick Answer
The fastest way to check airport arrival information is to open your airport’s official arrivals board online — for example, the live arrivals page on Dubai Airports’ website for DXB or Zayed International Airport’s website for AUH — and search by flight number. You can also check arrivals on the operating airline’s website or app, through a flight tracker, or by typing the flight number into Google. Inside the terminal, the arrivals hall screens show landing status, baggage belt numbers, and the expected time passengers exit.
How to Check Airport Arrival Information Online
Every major UAE airport publishes a live arrivals board on its official website, fed directly from the airport’s operational system. Because this data comes from the airport itself, it is the most accurate public source for arrival times.
Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum (DWC)
The Dubai Airports website has a dedicated “Arrivals” section where you can filter by flight number, origin city, or airline. Each entry shows the flight number, origin, scheduled and estimated arrival times, terminal, and status — “On Time,” “Delayed,” “Landed,” or “At Gate.” Remember that Dubai operates two passenger airports: DXB and DWC. They are far apart, so confirm the airport code on the passenger’s booking before driving anywhere.
Zayed International Airport (AUH)
Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi lists live arrivals on its official website under “Flight Information.” Search by flight number or origin to see the expected arrival time and terminal. Most passenger flights now use Terminal A, so the arrivals hall you head to is likely there — but verify on the live board on the day.
Sharjah International (SHJ)
Sharjah Airport’s website carries its own live arrivals board, and Air Arabia — the airport’s home carrier — publishes live arrival updates on its website and app as well.
Check Arrivals on the Airline’s Website or App
The operating airline’s app or website is a strong second source. Airlines show arrival status for every flight they operate, and if you have the booking reference you can see even more detail, such as gate and baggage belt assignments once the aircraft has landed.
Pay attention to the operating flight number on codeshare flights. A passenger may have booked under one airline’s code while the flight is actually operated by another carrier — arrivals are always listed under the operating airline’s number. For more on reading flight statuses, see how to check a flight status, and for a general overview of airport flight data, how to check airport flight information.
Use Google or a Flight Tracker
Typing the flight number into Google usually returns a live status card showing departure and arrival times, terminals, and any delay — no airport website needed. This is ideal when someone texts you a flight number and you need the answer in seconds.
Flight tracking websites and apps give you the full picture: the aircraft’s live position on a map, its actual takeoff time, and a realistic arrival estimate based on how the flight is progressing. This is particularly useful for long-haul flights, where a small delay early on can grow or shrink over several hours. See how to track a flight online for a step-by-step walkthrough. As with departures, third-party trackers can lag the official airport feed by a few minutes, so confirm against the airport board for critical timing.
Read the Arrivals Screens Inside the Terminal
If you are waiting at the airport, the arrivals hall screens (FIDS) are your reference. Here is what the columns mean:
| Column | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Flight | The operating flight number, e.g. EK 512 or EY 454 |
| From / Origin | The city the flight departed from |
| Scheduled | The original published arrival time |
| Estimated / Revised | The current expected landing time if changed |
| Status | On Time, Delayed, Landed, At Gate, or Baggage on Belt |
| Belt / Hall | The baggage reclaim belt number once assigned |
“Landed” means the aircraft has touched down — passengers still need to taxi, disembark, clear immigration, and collect baggage, which typically takes 45–75 minutes at DXB and AUH for international arrivals. If you are heading to the terminal to meet the passenger, plan your timing around the exit, not the landing. Before you drive, it is worth double-checking the airport terminal information so you wait at the right arrivals hall.
Planning a Pickup: Timing It Right
The biggest mistake people make is arriving at the airport at the flight’s landing time and then waiting in the arrivals hall for over an hour. Here is a better approach:
- Check arrival status before leaving home: if the flight is delayed by two hours, delay your own departure by the same amount.
- Track the flight’s progress: a live tracker shows you the actual takeoff, so you can estimate the landing yourself.
- Add 45–75 minutes after landing: allow time for taxiing, immigration, and baggage collection — longer during peak hours.
- Ask the passenger for their terminal: flights occasionally change terminals, and the person on board may get the announcement before the board updates.
- Use short-term parking or the cell-phone lot: if you arrive early, waiting in your car beats circling the terminal; drive to the arrivals curb only when the passenger has their bags.
If you are the arriving passenger yourself, how to find an airport gate can help on onward connections.
Dealing with Delays, Diversions, and Missing Data
Arrival boards are not perfect. Here is how to handle common hiccups:
- “Delayed” with no new time: the estimate will appear once the aircraft is airborne or a new slot is assigned — check again after the revised departure from the origin.
- Flight diverted: trackers show diversions first; the airport board may take a few minutes to update. Confirm the diversion airport before driving anywhere.
- Flight disappears from the board: flights typically drop off the arrivals board after they are marked “Landed” for a set time. If it vanished, it probably already arrived — check the airline’s site or your tracker for confirmation.
- Different times on different sources: trust the airport’s official board over third-party apps; small discrepancies of a few minutes are normal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I check arrival information without the flight number?
Search the airport’s arrivals board by origin city and scheduled arrival time. If the passenger booked through an airline app with your shared booking reference, the flight number will be there — or simply ask the passenger to send it; most airline apps show it on the booking screen.
How long after landing do passengers exit the airport?
Typically 45–75 minutes at DXB, AUH, and SHJ for international arrivals, covering taxiing, immigration, and baggage collection. It can stretch longer during peak arrival banks or holiday periods. “Landed” on the board is not the same as “ready to meet.”
Can I check arrival information for a flight that already landed?
Yes, but only for a limited time. Arrivals boards usually keep landed flights listed for a short period, then remove them. Airline websites and tracking apps keep historical data longer, so use those if you need to confirm a flight from earlier today.
Which terminal will the flight arrive at?
The arrivals board shows the terminal for each flight, and it can change — always check on the day of arrival rather than relying on the ticket. At DXB, airlines are split across Terminals 1, 2, and 3; at AUH most flights use Terminal A.
What should I do if the flight is diverted?
Do not drive to the airport until you know where the aircraft actually landed. Check the airline’s app and a flight tracker for the diversion airport, then contact the passenger or the airline for onward plans — diverted passengers are usually re-accommodated by the airline.
The Bottom Line
Checking airport arrival information takes less than a minute and can save you an hour of waiting at the wrong terminal. Start with the airport’s official arrivals board or the airline’s app, use a tracker for live progress on long flights, and time your pickup around when passengers exit — not when the plane lands. Keep the board open on your phone on the day of arrival, and you will meet your passenger right on time.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Asan Tata is a UAE-focused writer at Asantata34, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
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