Customers travelling across all cabins will discover special NBA-themed touches designed to bring the spirit of the game onboard. Premium Economy and Economy Class customers will find co-branded cabin elements, including NBA-themed headrests and custom beverage coasters, adding a courtside-inspired touch to the inflight experience.

The special inflight offering features a range of basketball-inspired dishes and refreshments. First Class customers can enjoy delectable themed desserts like chocolate and hazelnut cookies, topped with caramel sauce and served with ice cream, while travellers in Business Class and Premium Economy will savour chocolate cheesecake with sour cherry compote. Customers seated in Economy Class will finish their meals with salted caramel milk cake.

Emirates is bringing fans together over their shared passion for basketball with special court-side fare and snacks, including Margherita pizza and beef hotdogs delivered direct to passengers travelling in Premium Economy and Economy Class. First Class and Business Class customers flying on Emirates’ iconic A380 aircraft can get into the NBA spirit at the Onboard Lounge, indulging in crispy chicken tenders with buffalo sauce, macaroni and cheese and a selection of mini bistro bites on select flights from Dubai. On flights from US and Canadian points to Dubai, the celebrations continue at the A380 Onboard Lounge, with a menu featuring lemon drizzle bundt cake and toffee apple and pecan crisp bundt cake. 

Customers visiting Emirates’ lounges in Dubai can also enjoy a selection of NBA-inspired food and beverages. The First Class Lounge will feature the NBA Signature Wagyu Burger, served with Rocca leaves, pear and bacon jam, fries and salad. Guests can also enjoy themed beverages, including the Pick and Roll cocktail and Step Back Cooler mocktail, alongside a selection of desserts such as passion fruit tart, a milk chocolate and coconut sphere, and pistachio éclair.

In the Business Class Lounge in Dubai, customers can enjoy a live nachos station, a corn dog station, themed cocktails and mocktails, and a selection of desserts. Customers visiting Emirates lounges in Boston, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco can also enjoy specially curated menus inspired by the local basketball teams, with dishes celebrating the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.

Onboard, basketball fans can also enjoy a curated selection of sports entertainment through Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice. The TV sports category features more than 30 titles, including Running Point and Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics. The movie sports category features more than 60 films and documentaries, including Jerry West: The Logo, Warrior Strong and Finding Tony. NBA-themed welcome screens, animations and other inflight entertainment touchpoints will further bring the partnership to life.

The limited-time NBA experience reflects Emirates’ commitment to delivering premium experiences for customers both in the air and on the ground. Now in its second year of activation since the partnership launched in 2024, the collaboration reinforces Emirates’ connection with basketball fans around the world, bringing the excitement of the game to customers as they travel.

About Emirates

The Emirates story started in 1985 when we launched operations with just two aircraft. Today, we fly the world’s biggest fleets of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, offering our customers the comforts of the latest and most efficient wide-body aircraft in the skies.

We inspire travellers around the world with our growing network of worldwide destinations, industry-leading inflight entertainment, regionally inspired cuisine, and world-class service.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 6 November 2026 – Emirates today announced an Australian-inspired theme for its presence at the Australian Open (AO) 2027, marking more than 30 years of connecting Australia to the world.

The announcement comes as Tennis Australia revealed that this year’s tournament will expand into a 21-day experience, with Kids Tennis Day Presented by Emirates moving to Sunday, 10 January 2027 – giving families even more opportunities to be part of the action at Melbourne Park.

The Emirates Marquee: A celebration of Australia at Melbourne Park

The exclusive Emirates Marquee at AO will showcase Australian culture, food and entertainment, celebrating more than 30 years of the airline connecting Australia to the world.

Inspired by the beauty of the Australian coastline, the Marquee’s “Coastline as a Landscape” design translates the sea, sand and sky into an abstract, sophisticated form. Layered horizontal curves and a natural palette will create a sense of calm, movement and timeless luxury – distinctly Australian, while remaining unmistakably Emirates.

The 2027 menu, “Adventures Around the Coastline”, celebrates Australia’s rich and diverse food culture, showcasing the produce, flavours and traditions shaped by the country’s vast landscapes and varied climates. Guests will take an “adventure around the coastline”, from Mount Martha mussel escabeche and paperbark-smoked salmon to quandong-cured kingfish and seasonal shucked oysters, alongside Indigo Valley lamb with a Vegemite glaze and a pavlova station topped with Davidson plum meringues.

Australian classics will also be reimagined with a touch of theatre, including “Adult Fairy Bread” – petite toasts topped with premium roes, built in front of guests – and “Shrimp on the Barbie”, smoked under cloche and brushed with charcoal oil to recreate that iconic barbecue flavour.

Emirates’ famous unlimited First-Class caviar service returns, served at selected events and throughout the Finals Series.

The airline will host more than  1,350 guests in the Marquee throughout AO27, including Skywards members, global business leaders, celebrities and sporting icons, building on more than 16,000 guests welcomed since 2015.

Barry Brown, Divisional Vice President Australasia at Emirates, said: “For more than 30 years, Emirates has been connecting Australia to the world, and the world to Australia. As we return as Official Airline of the Australian Open for 2027, it only felt right to put Australia at the centre of it all.

“Our AO27 theme is a celebration of everything we love about Australia - its food, its creativity and its world-famous hospitality - brought together with the signature Emirates experience. We're also proud to continue presenting Kids Tennis Day Presented by Emirates, and to help even more young Australians fall in love with the game.”

Andrew Abdo, CEO of Tennis Australia, added:

"The Australian Open continues to evolve and 2027 marks another exciting milestone as we expand to a 22-day tournament for the first time. By moving Kids Tennis Day to Sunday 10 January, we're creating an additional day for fans to enjoy everything the AO has to offer while putting families and young people at the heart of the tournament's opening weekend.

Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt said:

“Kids Tennis Day Presented by Emirates gives kids and families the chance to get up close to the game, have some fun and be inspired by tennis’ biggest stars. These experiences can spark a lifelong love of tennis, whether it’s picking up a racquet for the first time or taking the next step in the sport. Having Kids Tennis Day kick off the Australian Open this year is a fantastic outcome for families and a great way to start the tournament.”

Engaging Fans on the Ground and in the Sky

Emirates will once again connect with tennis fans of all ages across Melbourne Park. Kids Tennis Day Presented by Emirates will now take place on Sunday, 10 January, with exclusive one-day-only activities across the precinct and the return of the popular Rod Laver Spectacular.

The airline’s commitment to connecting fans begins in the air, with matches aired live on the award-winning inflight entertainment system ice and special AO-themed amenities and menus onboard.

DUBAI, UAE, 05 November 2026: The Emirates Group today announced its half-year financial results, posting a profit before tax of AED 4.1 billion (US$ 1.1 billion) for the first six months of 2026-27, a remarkable performance against the disruption and high fuel prices caused by the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region.

After accounting for income tax charges, the Group’s profit after tax is AED 3.6 billion (US$ 1.0 billion), down 66% from last year.

Illustrating its strong operating performance, the Group achieved an EBITDA of AED 12.5 billion (US$ 3.4 billion), 41% lower than the AED 21.1 billion (US$ 5.7 billion) reported for the same period last year where the Group had set a new record for profit and revenue.

Group revenue was AED 66.2 billion (US$ 18.0 billion) for the first six months of 2026-27, down 12% from AED 75.4 billion (US$ 20.6 billion) last year.

The Group closed the first half year of 2026-27 with a cash position of AED 54.1 billion (US$ 14.7 billion) on 30 September 2026, compared to AED 59.6 billion (US$ 16.2 billion) on 31 March 2026. The Group has been able to tap on its own strong cash reserves to support business needs, including pre-delivery payments for aircraft and servicing existing debt obligations. The Group also paid the remaining AED 2 billion (US$ 545 million) in dividend to its owner, the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), of the AED 3.5 billion (US$ 953 million) declared for the financial year 2025-26.

His Highness (HH) Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said: “It has been a demanding six months, and once again our business model and our people stood up to the test. Against unprecedented regional challenges and high fuel prices, the Group has delivered a profit before tax of AED 4.1 billion (US$ 1.1 billion). Customer demand held firm and our cargo operations made a strong contribution, keeping revenue and cash levels healthy even as global jet fuel prices doubled against the same period last year, impacting our costs and profitability.

“I’d like to thank the UAE government for its decisive response and its co-ordination of all stakeholders to enable the safe resumption of air transport in the aftermath of military activity across the Gulf region. The government’s measures have also led to the easing of travel advisories to and through the UAE. This has allowed us to restore our operations with confidence and to keep serving our customers and communities.

“Throughout this time, we have not paused our investments. Emirates and dnata continue to commit significant resources to expand our fleet, enhance our products and services, and develop capabilities that will shape the future of our business. This is how we stay ahead and stay resilient to external challenges.”

HH Sheikh Ahmed added: “We enter the second half of our 2026-27 financial year with measured optimism. While keeping a close watch on costs and geopolitical developments, we remain focused on delivering what Emirates and dnata are known for – safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. We’ve weathered challenges before, and with our strong cash position and solid foundation built up over the years, the Group is well-placed to navigate the headwinds of volatility and high fuel prices.”

Compared to 31 March 2026, the Emirates Group’s employee base dropped by 2% to an overall count of 128,237 on 30 September 2026. However, both Emirates and dnata maintain ongoing recruitment drives to support business requirements.

Emirates airline

The first six months of 2026-27 brought significant challenges to Emirates’ operations as intermittent airspace restrictions and closures across the region tested the airline’s operational agility, while government travel advisories reshaped consumer choices and travel flows.

During this period, Emirates focused on restoring its network and connectivity options through its Dubai hub. At 30 September, Emirates was operating 91% of its pre-disruption network, with its passenger and cargo network spanning 150 airports in 78 countries and territories.

The airline also launched a series of initiatives to boost customer confidence, including an industry-first comprehensive travel cover that is unrestricted by government travel advisories, free date changes on booked tickets, and generous refund policies.

Between 1 April and 30 September, Emirates expanded its inventory of Premium Economy seats and brought its latest cabin products to customers in even more markets, as it received delivery of 9 new A350 aircraft and completed the full cabin refurbishment of 12 aircraft (9 A380s, 3 Boeing 777s). Emirates’ retrofit programme, one of the world’s largest known such projects, represents a planned investment of over US$ 7.0 billion to bring Emirates’ latest cabin products across its fleet. The airline’s Starlink installation programme also continued at pace, equipping 36 more aircraft with high-speed Wi-Fi in the sky during the first six months of the year, and bringing Emirates’ total Starlink-installed fleet to 57 aircraft as of 30 September.

To support its future fleet requirements, in May, Emirates broke ground on its US$ 5.1 billion engineering and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Al Maktoum International Airport, with completion expected in the mid-2030s.

Leading from the front even in testing times, Emirates launched two industry-first cabin products to rave customer reviews: the U-dream headrest built into Economy Class seats, and electronically controlled privacy dividers in Premium Economy. These innovations have raised the bar for Economy and Premium Economy travel, redefining comfort and privacy for customers in these cabin classes.

On the ground, Emirates inaugurated the first of its new concept lounges in Munich, Frankfurt and Manchester, featuring the airline’s latest interior design palette and elevated services for premium customers and frequent flyers. Emirates also opened new travel stores bringing its total retail footprint over 30 stores, offering customers more personal and experiential service touchpoints.

Emirates continued its efforts to make travel more inclusive with the roll-out of Travel Rehearsals at 15 more stations across the UK, Australia, Portugal, the Philippines, Madagascar and the Maldives in the first half of 2026-27. This successful programme, which has now run in 47 stations, supports young travellers with autism and their families, helping them build confidence and reduce travel anxiety via exposure to real-time airport and flight simulations.

The airline also continued to make a positive impact on communities, working with partners to deliver CSR programmes across key markets. In the first half of the year, initiatives included: the opening of a renovated community tennis court in Miami as part of the Force for Good programme with the USTA Foundation; a refreshed youth technology and gaming room in New York City with NBA Cares; a new natural play area with the London Wildlife Trust as part of the Championing Nature programme with Wimbledon; and the launch of the Emirates Nourishment Programme to deliver 400,000 breakfasts annually to underprivileged kids across South Africa in partnership with EPCR and the Kolisi Foundation.

During the first half of 2026-27, Emirates extended its successful and long-running sponsorship deals with Arsenal Football Club (until 2033), and with Real Madrid (until 2031), representing multi-year investments in global brand visibility and partnerships with two of the world’s most prominent clubs in football.

Overall capacity during the first six months of the year decreased by 10% to 28.2 billion Available Tonne Kilometres (ATKM) due to a reduced flying schedule. Capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASKM), decreased by 17%, whilst passenger traffic carried measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKM) was down by 25% with an average Passenger Seat Factor of 72.0%, compared with 79.5% during the same period last year. Emirates carried 21.8 million passengers between 1 April and 30 September 2026, down 22% from the same period last year.

Emirates SkyCargo transported 1.2 million tonnes in the first six months of the year, down by 1% compared to the same period last year. However, cargo revenue increased by 52% as the regional conflict reduced available airfreight capacity while concurrently pushing shippers to seek airfreight options due to marine transport disruptions.

In the first half of 2026-27, Emirates SkyCargo added capacity from 5 new Boeing 777 freighters delivered, and the deployment of its first passenger-to-freighter converted aircraft. The cargo division expanded its freighter network with two new destinations, Almaty and Zhengzhou; introduced dedicated freighter services to over 15 existing Emirates destinations; and increased frequencies to several key markets including in the Far East.

Emirates profit before tax for the first half of 2026-27 reached AED 3.7 billion (US$ 1.0 billion), compared to its record performance of AED 11.4 billion (US$ 3.1 billion) for the same period last year. Emirates profit after tax is AED 3.3 billion (US$ 903 million), down 66%.

Emirates revenue, including other operating income, of AED 56.9 billion (US$ 15.5 billion) was down 13% compared with AED 65.6 billion (US$ 17.9 billion) last year. The airline’s revenue performance can be attributed to enduring travel demand across its markets, particularly for Emirates’ premium cabins, and a solid contribution from the airline’s cargo business.

Emirates’ operating costs (including fuel) dropped by 2% in line with operations. Despite a 12% reduction in fuel uplift due to lower operations, Emirates’ fuel costs, before hedging gains, rose by 60% compared with the previous half-year. Gains of AED 7.1 billion from its fuel price risk management strategy significantly offset the impact of higher fuel prices, reducing the net fuel cost increase to 13%. Fuel remains the largest component of the airline’s operating cost at 34%.

Emirates’ EBITDA of AED 11.5 billion (US$ 3.1 billion) remained healthy, down 41% compared to AED 19.7 billion (US$ 5.4 billion) for the same period last year.

Emirates Flight Catering revenue from external customers declined by 51% to AED 273 million (US$ 74 million). Its uplift of 4.5 million airline meals was down by 41% due to reduced air traffic at Dubai’s airport during the period.

Emirates Leisure Retail/MMI revenue declined by 13% to AED 1.2 billion, due to the impact of lower tourism traffic in the UAE during the first six months of 2026-27.

dnata

dnata’s airport operations, catering and retail, and travel services divisions adapted quickly to business and operating challenges caused by the regional conflict, with its international businesses helping to offset the impact of reduced airline and travel traffic in the UAE and the broader Gulf region.

In the first half of 2026-27, dnata continued to win customers with its safe and high-quality services across its global operations, signing multi-year agreements, including a cargo partnership with Silk Way Group in Singapore and inflight catering contracts with Cathay Pacific across several airports in the UK and the USA. Notably, dnata Airport Operations secured a seven-year ground handling license at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, reinforcing its position at one of Europe’s key aviation hubs.

dnata continued to make strategic investments to grow its capabilities and enhance its customer offering. In the first six months this year, dnata opened a new integrated command centre to support its growing cargo operations in Dubai; committed to an AED 8 million investment to expand The Fort – Lisaili, Arabian Adventures’ desert tourism destination in Dubai; and continued to invest in advanced technology and equipment across its operations including automated aircraft approach systems in Dubai, an aircraft catering simulator in Dublin, and autonomous tractor trials in Europe and Asia.

In addition, dnata announced an AU$ 32 million investment to build a new cargo facility at Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), while construction of its new catering facility at WSI is on track for a 2027 opening.  It also continued to deliver its global cargo and logistics strategy through targeted investments across its network, commissioning its new AED 100 million (US$ 27 million) logistics facility in Dubai South and progressing strategic developments, including a planned AED 37 million investment in Alat, Azerbaijan, alongside new and expanded cargo operations at East Midlands Airport and Zurich Airport.

In its Travel division, dnata integrated its Imagine Cruising and Travelbag businesses, bringing together two complementary portfolios to build greater scale, share expertise, and drive international growth.

dnata’s revenue, including other operating income, reached AED 11.0 billion (US$ 3.0 billion) down by 7% compared to AED 11.7 billion (US$ 3.2 billion) generated in the same period last year.

Overall profit before tax for dnata was AED 410 million (US$ 112 million), down by 51% from the same period last year. dnata’s profit after tax is AED 309 million (US$ 84 million), down 56% from last year.

Illustrating its operating performance, dnata’s EBITDA was AED 939 million (US$ 256 million), down 31% from last year’s AED 1.4 billion (US$ 372 million).

dnata’s airport operations remain the largest contributor to revenue with AED 5.4 billion (US$ 1.5 billion), a 3% decrease compared to the same period last year, as its growing global business offset the reduction of customer airline operations at its UAE hub during this period. Across dnata’s operations, the number of aircraft turns handled decreased by 8% to 414,012, and it recorded 1.49 million tonnes of cargo handled, down by 6%.

dnata’s flight catering and retail operations contributed AED 4.2 billion (US$ 1.1 billion) to its revenue, up 1%, driven by its growing inflight retail business notably with EasyJet and Aer Lingus.  The overall number of meals uplifted was 54.0 million, down 10% compared to last year, largely due to the loss of key contracts in its UK operations.

dnata's travel division contributed AED 1.4 billion (US$ 373 million) to revenue, down 31% compared to AED 2.0 billion (US$ 538 million) for the same period last year, primarily due to its divestment of Travel Republic and Netflights in the UK, which ceased new bookings from November 2025. The travel division reported an underlying total transactional value (TTV) of AED 3.8 billion (US$ 1.0 billion), down 22% compared to AED 5.0 billion (US$ 1.4 billion) for the same period last year.

Cape Town, South Africa, 4 November 2026 – More than 800 primary school students in Cape Town enjoyed a day of rugby, learning and creativity as Emirates, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) and the Kolisi Foundation brought the Emirates Nourishment Programme to life at a local school. Joined by DHL Stormers players, Kolisi Foundation founder Siya Kolisi, Emirates Cabin Crew and team members from South Africa and Dubai, and EPCR representatives, the partners showed how good nutrition, education and the power of sport can help children build confidence and realise their potential.

The day began with the Emirates Nourishment Programme, as the partners helped prepare and serve breakfast porridge, ensuring the school’s children started their day nourished and ready to learn. A nutritious breakfast can make a meaningful difference to a child’s ability to concentrate, participate in class and make the most of learning opportunities.

The activation offered a glimpse into the wider work of the Emirates Nourishment Programme, a multi-year initiative delivered by the Kolisi Foundation in partnership with Emirates and EPCR. The programme aims to provide approximately 400,000 nutritious breakfasts annually, reaching around 2,000 learners each year through participating schools and Early Childhood Development centres. By helping children access breakfast consistently, the programme seeks to support their readiness to learn and participate in school.

Afzal Parambil, Emirates’ Regional Manager of Southern Africa said, “At Emirates, we believe meaningful partnerships are those that make a lasting difference. Through the Emirates Nourishment Programme, we’re working with our partners to support children in ways that go beyond the classroom – providing nutrition to help them learn, access to resources that support their education and connecting them with inspiring role models. It’s a privilege to be part of an initiative that invests in South Africa’s next generation and reflects Emirates’ longstanding commitment to supporting the communities we serve.”

Mahlatse Mashua, Managing Director of the Kolisi Foundation, said, “Meaningful impact starts with understanding the barriers children face and being intentional about addressing them. What makes this partnership special is how it brings nutrition, education and sport together in a sustained approach. Ultimately, the measure of a successful partnership is not simply what we do together, but what becomes possible for the children we serve.”

Following breakfast, DHL Stormers players took to the school grounds to lead an engaging rugby clinic. Through fun drills and small-sided games, Siya Kolisi, Lukhanyo Vokozela, BJ Dixon, Markus Muller, Ruan Ackermann, Leolin Zas, Vernon Matongo and JJ Kotze introduced students to the fundamentals of the game, while encouraging teamwork, communication, resilience and problem-solving – skills that extend well beyond the rugby field.

Siya Kolisi, Founder of the Kolisi Foundation, said, “Every child is born with potential, but not every child has the same opportunity to realise it. Whether it’s access to nutritious food, learning resources or someone who believes in them, our responsibility is to help remove those barriers. Today is incredibly special, but what excites me most is that this programme goes beyond today. It’s about giving every child the opportunity to thrive.”

With the DHL Stormers also joining the activities, the day gave students the opportunity to learn from sporting role models who demonstrate what can be achieved through perseverance, collaboration and belief in oneself.

DHL Stormers’ Vernon Matongo who participated in the activity, said, “It was special to see what Emirates, EPCR and the Kolisi Foundation are doing. Some of those kids will only have the meal from the Nourishment Programme that they get in the morning, and that's it for the day. And then they must concentrate in class, play sport in the afternoon. I don't think any kid should have to go through those circumstances.

“In a team, you get to know your teammates stories, and some players in the Stormers came from similar backgrounds. So, I think it's very important to go and give back. Being able to contribute is massive, being able to see that was special for us. The kids from the programme also came to the game (against Bristol Bears) and it was very special to have them there.”

Further supporting early education, Emirates delivered 820 backpacks from the Aircrafted KIDS collection to the primary school, each equipped with stationery, water bottles and age-appropriate books written by local authors. Blending culturally rich stories with interactive learning opportunities, the books encourage children to explore new ideas, develop a love of reading and swap stories with their classmates.

Aircrafted KIDS supports early childhood education by providing essential school supplies and helping remove a common barrier to learning: access to resources. To date, nearly 4,000 Aircrafted KIDS backpacks have been distributed to schools and community centres around the globe.

The students also put their creativity to work in a bag charm workshop, making personalised decorations for their Aircrafted KIDS backpacks, using upcycled leather repurposed from Emirates’ A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. Led by Maite Gonzalez Eizaguirre, Head of Emirates Aircrafted at Emirates Engineering and assisted by Emirates Cabin Crew and team members, the session introduced students to the possibilities of upcycling, showing how materials can be given a new purpose through imagination and craftsmanship.

Brenda Mangali, the school principal said, “They say it takes a village to raise a child, and today is a beautiful reminder of that. We are incredibly grateful to have partners, parents and our community come together around our children. Beyond the excitement of today, the greatest gift is the message it sends to every learner: you matter, you are valued, and we believe in your future.”

Jacques Raynaud, EPCR CEO, said, “This programme shows what rugby can do beyond the pitch. Seeing the DHL Stormers players, our partners and the children share breakfast, a training session and a creative afternoon together is exactly what we hoped this programme would bring. Through impACT, our CSR strategy, we want our competitions to leave a positive and lasting legacy in the communities that welcome them, and South Africa is now very much part of our rugby family. We are proud to stand alongside Emirates and the Kolisi Foundation to help these children start every school day ready to learn.”

The school’s exterior was also given a colourful new addition, through a collaborative mural created with Cape Town-based artist Skhumbuzo Salman, the founder and creative force behind Skubalisto art. Painted on one of the school walls, the mural celebrates South Africa’s natural beauty, featuring Table Mountain, protea flowers and lush foliage. At its centre, a young person stands against the vibrant landscape, highlighting the importance of water as the foundation of life and the need to protect this resource.

The learners played an integral role in bringing the artwork to life, painting most of the mural’s vibrant background. For many, it was their first time working with spray paint, yet they approached the challenge with confidence and enthusiasm, making a significant contribution to the finished artwork. The process transformed the mural into a shared creative achievement, giving the children an opportunity to develop new skills, express themselves and take pride in a lasting piece of art within their school community, while reinforcing the importance of water conservation through hands-on participation.

Skumbuzo Salman, founder of Skubalisto said, “Painting has a unique ability to communicate what words sometimes cannot. I wanted the children to be part of creating something meaningful for their school, something they could take pride in and recognise as their own. During the painting process, they started comparing the girl in the mural to their classmates and even debating what to name her. That was a powerful moment because it showed me that they were connecting with the artwork and making it part of their own story. The mural will remain at the school for years to come as a reminder of this day and the possibilities it represents. When children meet inspiring people and experience new things, they begin to imagine futures beyond what they already know. Whether one of them becomes a rugby player, a pilot, a member of cabin crew or follows an entirely different path, I hope the experience leaves them with a greater sense of what is possible.”

Launched in June 2026, the Emirates Nourishment Programme brings together nutritional support and the inspirational power of rugby to help children overcome barriers to learning and development. Through schools and Early Childhood Development centres in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, the programme aims to support 2,000 children each year with consistent access to breakfast, alongside opportunities to engage with inspirational role models.

Since its launch in School Term 3, the programme has delivered more than 35,000 breakfasts across participating sites, between June and September 2026.

Running until at least 2030, the programme represents a long-term investment in South Africa's children and their futures. By bringing together nutrition, education, sport and community engagement, Emirates, EPCR and the Kolisi Foundation are working to create an environment in which children can arrive at school ready to learn, discover their strengths and build the foundations for a brighter future.

Traditional Diwali sweets served across all cabin classes

Emirates customers travelling to and from India can enjoy a taste of Diwali with traditional Indian sweets served onboard. Premium Economy and Economy Class customers will be treated to motichoor laddu alongside their hot meal - delicate, golden chickpea flour pearls soaked in sugar syrup, infused with fragrant cardamom and saffron, and finished with pistachios. First and Business Class customers can also indulge in kaju pista roll, a rich, rose-flavoured confection made with cashews, pistachios, dried fruits and nuts, elegantly wrapped in edible silver leaf.

Festive Indian cuisine and Diwali desserts in Emirates’ First and Business Class Lounges

From 3 to 8 November, Emirates’ First and Business Class Lounges in Dubai will celebrate Diwali with a vibrant selection of Indian specialities. Customers can savour vada pav accompanied by tangy tamarind and refreshing mint chutneys, followed by an assortment of traditional desserts including malai sandwich, mango delight, malai roll and the much-loved gajar ka halwa. First Class customers can also raise a toast to the festivities with a specially crafted Spicy Saffron Martini or a refreshing Iced Masala Cooler mocktail.

In Emirates’ Business Class Lounges in Dubai, the festive menu will feature savoury favourites including vegetable keema samosa, onion kachori and paneer potli samosa, served with tamarind and mint chutneys. For a sweet finish, customers can enjoy balushahi, mango rajbhog and mini kesari rasgullas.

The celebrations will extend to Emirates’ lounges in Cape Town and Johannesburg, where customers can enjoy an assortment of traditional sweets including coconut ice, barfi and jalebi.

Bollywood blockbusters, Indian TV and music on ice

The Diwali celebrations continue onboard with a rich selection of Indian entertainment on Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice. Customers can choose from up to 157 Indian movies, including Bollywood titles such as Mardaani 3, Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion and Coolie, alongside a wide range of regional films in nine languages – Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Bengali and Gujarati.

For those who prefer the small screen, ice offers 14 Indian TV programmes, including Pritam and Pedro, Looteri Dulhan and Crime Patrol - 26 Jurm, 26 Cases. Music lovers can also set the mood for the festivities with a selection of 40 Indian albums and playlists, bringing the sounds of Diwali to the skies.

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Dubai, UAE, 03 November 2026- Emirates SkyCargo has launched AI Tech, a dedicated product designed to help customers move critical and sensitive AI infrastructure safely and on time. Tailored for AI server racks, semiconductors, GPUs, capital equipment and other critical hardware infrastructure, the product combines priority loading, specialised handling and proactive shipment monitoring through Emirates SkyCargo’s command centre in Dubai to keep deployment schedules on track.

With increasing sophistication of computing and processing systems around the world and accelerating adoption of AI technologies, the movement of technology equipment has become increasingly complex. Large-scale deployments often involve high value cargo, compressed timelines and specialised handling requirements. AI Tech provides customers with a dedicated logistics solution supported by globally standardised operating procedures including priority loading, enhanced shipment oversight and proactive customer coordination throughout the transportation journey.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo said: “Behind every AI breakthrough is physical infrastructure that needs to arrive safely and on time. AI Tech is designed to give customers confidence that their critical equipment will move seamlessly across our network, supported by operational oversight and proactive communication. In July alone, we transported more than 700 tonnes of AI infrastructure across our global network, and demand has continued to grow. As this sector expands, our ambition is to become the carrier of choice for companies operating across the AI ecosystem.”

Key features of Emirates SkyCargo’s AI Tech include:

• Globally standardised dedicated handling procedures to maintain equipment orientation and minimise risk of damage
• Priority loading and scheduling for time-critical deployments
• Airport-to-airport shipment visibility, with milestone updates monitored through Emirates SkyCargo's command centre in Dubai.
• Proactive customer communication and coordination throughout the shipment journey.
• Specialist project cargo support for oversized and heavy cargo

Emirates SkyCargo has developed its AI Tech product drawing on hands-on experience transporting AI-related hardware across its network between manufacturing centres and key technology markets. AI Tech is available across Emirates SkyCargo's global network for most AI-related cargo, including semiconductors, chips and server racks. For highly specialised manufacturing equipment, station capability assessments are conducted in advance to ensure shipment requirements can be safely accommodated.

AI Tech is backed by Emirates SkyCargo’s extensive fleet and global network. By March 2027, the airline will operate a fleet of 23 dedicated freighters providing valuable maindeck capacity for the transportation of tall and dense server racks often weighing more than 3.5 tonnes. In addition to its freighter fleet, Emirates SkyCargo also provides capacity on its wide-body passenger aircraft.

Drawing on extensive experience transporting technology and high-value cargo worldwide, AI Tech underlines Emirates SkyCargo's commitment to serving the rapidly evolving needs of the AI sector with a logistics solution built around speed, reliability, visibility and specialised handling.

For more information, visit https://www.skycargo.com/

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, raised the flag, joined by senior leaders and colleagues from across the Group, coming together to honour the nation they proudly call home.

First launched in 2013 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, UAE Flag Day brings people across the nation together to raise the flag at the same moment as a shared tribute to the country’s spirit and achievements.

Milan, 2 November 2026 – On 31 October, Emirates transported its signature ‘Fly Better’ experience all the way from Dubai to San Siro for the AC Milan–Inter derby, installing its iconic Business Class seats in the stadium’s VIP stands and bringing its onboard premium experience to the Italian football grounds.

Emirates’ surprise at the AC Milan-Inter derby extended beyond just the Business Clas seats display. As fan cameras turned towards the stands, another surprise reveal caught fans and viewers off guard: AC Milan legend Ricardo Kaká was spotted seated in one of the Emirates Business Class seats, casually reading a copy of the Dubai Journal as Rossoneri fans applauded and cheered. The surprise appearance also set the stage for a special milestone in the club legend’s career, as Kaká received the trophy of the AC Milan’s Hall of Fame Presented by Emirates, after being voted by fans among the Club’s best midfielders alongside Ruud Gullit and Carlo Ancelotti.

This initiative brings together two worlds - aviation and sport – highlighting the natural synergy between the two. Emirates connects fans with the sports, teams and clubs they love through its global partnership, while AC Milan stands as one of football’s most iconic and widely supported clubs. Both brands enjoy global recognition and loyalty, built on their contributions to their massive respective industries and their shared role in bringing people together through sport, culture and hospitality.

Watch the reveal here.

Longest-standing partnership in football

Emirates’ enduring partnership with AC Milan began in 2007, making it one of the longest and most successful partnerships in football. As the club’s Principal Partner and Official Airline Partner, Emirates’ iconic ‘Fly Better’ branding features on AC Milan’s jerseys, reflecting the strength and visibility of this decades-long relationship.

More than a strategic partnership, the connection extends beyond the pitch, enabling Emirates to bring the club and its players closer to fans in key markets around the world. By bringing its A380 Business Class seats to San Siro for a surprise fan experience, Emirates once again demonstrates its commitment to sport and culture, while bringing its distinctive onboard product experience to an entirely new setting.

About Emirates' expansive sponsorship portfolio 

Emirates' extensive portfolio of global sports and cultural partnerships connects millions of people through shared passions and world-class experiences. The airline's iconic "fly better" branding appears on the jerseys of leading football clubs including Arsenal FC, Real Madrid CF, AC Milan, S.L. Benfica, and Olympique Lyonnais. Emirates also serves as Platinum Partner to FC Bayern Munich's first team. Emirates has been the title sponsor of The FA Cup for nearly a decade. In the UAE, the airline supports the Pro League in its 2026/2027 season.

Beyond football, Emirates' commitment to connecting fans across the globe through shared sporting moments spans horse racing through the Dubai World Cup and Team Godolphin; premier tennis tournaments including the ATP and WTA Dubai Duty Free Championships, and all four Grand Slams (US Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Australian Open); golf via the DP World Tour and Hero Dubai Desert Classic (HDDC); cricket across all major ICC events and the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and Lancashire County Cricket Club; rugby partnerships including the Emirates Dubai 7s, Cape Town Sevens, World Rugby referees and officials, and Rugby World Cup events, as well as EPCR (Investec Champions Cup, Challenge Cup), Asia Rugby and UAE Rugby Federation; sailing with Emirates Team New Zealand, SailGP and Emirates Great Britain Sail GP team; basketball through the NBA, Real Madrid and Beirut Basketball club; cycling with UAE Team Emirates XRG; and Australian rules football with Collingwood FC.

The airline has also maintained its long-standing support for music, arts, and culture, from symphony orchestras to annual literature festivals.

Read more here: https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/about-us/our-communities/sponsorship/

Later in the month, Emirates secured three major global accolades at the Business Traveller Awards held on 21 October, winning Best First Class in the World, Best Premium Economy in the World, and Best Economy in the World, having been nominated across six categories in total, including Best Airline in the World, Best Business Class in the World and Best Cabin Crew in the World.

“We are thrilled to see Emirates perform so well in the Business Traveller 2026 Awards. Emirates’ continued enhancement of its passenger experience across the fleet resonated with our judges and consumers alike. From First Class to Economy, the airline continues to be a benchmark within the industry, and its increasing consistency in its offering is paying dividends” said, Jonny Clark, Managing Director, Business Traveller.

Over the past year, Emirates unveiled the world's first electric Premium Economy seat with a full-height privacy screen, introduced the world's first U-Dream Headrest in Economy Class, surpassed one million onboard Starlink Wi-Fi connections, launched new Bvlgari amenity kits for First and Business Class customers, and boosted its premium onboard dining with an exceptional selection of champagnes and fine wines.

The recognition also comes at a significant time for Emirates in Singapore. In 2025, the airline celebrated 35 years of operations in the market and the opening of the Emirates World Store in Singapore. In June 2026, Emirates also marked three years of Premium Economy operations in Singapore, having carried more than 88,000 passengers on the product since its launch.

Commenting on the collective wins, Mr Alfajeer said: “These awards are a tremendous honour for Emirates and reflect the trust that both our customers and industry partners place in us. To be recognised across every cabin class, fortifies our commitment to delivering world-class experiences for every traveller. While we are proud of these accolades, we see them not as a destination but as motivation. They inspire us to keep innovating, raising the bar and putting our best foot forward. As traveller expectations continue to evolve, so too will Emirates.”

*Image Credits: Travel Weekly Asia Readers' Choice Awards and Business Traveller
 

Busan, Korea, 2 November 2026: Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has opened its second Travel Store in South Korea, expanding its retail presence beyond Seoul to Busan. The new store provides customers in Korea’s second-largest city and the surrounding region with easier access to personalised travel services, including assistance with international flight bookings and travel planning.

The event was officially inaugurated on 2 November with a ceremony featuring welcome remarks by Ibrahim Ghanem, Country Manager of Emirates Korea, and remarks by Eisa Alsamahi, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. and Deputy Head of the Mission of the UAE Embassy. The UAE Embassy was further represented by Sheikh Dr. Saleh Al Sharqi, Counsellor and Head of the Economic Section, and Rashid Al Zarouni, Head of Media Affairs and Public Diplomacy Section. Attendees from Busan included Chun Jae-soo, Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City, Park Jae-hong, Director General of the New Airport Bureau, Busan Metropolitan City, and Yang Jae-saeng, President of the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event also brought together representatives from government, aviation and tourism organisations, as well as key travel and hospitality partners.

Located in Jung-gu, in the heart of the city, the new Travel Store offers customers a dedicated space to explore Emirates’ global network of more than 140 destinations, as well as its products and services. Experienced travel consultants are available to provide personalised assistance with flight bookings, travel information and itinerary planning, helping customers in the region explore international travel options through Emirates’ global network.

Ibrahim Ghanim, Country Manager of Emirates Korea, said: “South Korea remains an important market for Emirates, and the opening of our new Travel Store in Busan reflects our continued commitment to serving Korean travellers. In-person retail continues to play an important and evolving role in how consumers shop in this market. Recognising this trend, the opening of our second retail store in South Korea will enable us to better meet travellers’ growing expectations for personalised, face-to-face service in Busan and the surrounding region.”

Connecting Korea to the world for more than two decades

Since launching operations in South Korea in 2005, Emirates has operated more than 14,000 flights and carried over 5 million passengers between Seoul and Dubai. The airline currently operates 10 weekly flights between the two cities, with its newly retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER featuring Premium Economy and an upgraded Business Class deployed on flights EK323/325.

To explore Emirates’ global destinations and plan your next journey, visit https://www.emirates.com/kr/english/ or stop by the Emirates Travel Stores in Seoul and Busan for personalised travel assistance.

The Emirates Travel Store Busan is located in 1F, Namjeon Building, 118 Jungang-daero, Jung-gu, Busan 48937. The store is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

· Since launching in Cape Town and Johannesburg in 2025, Premium Economy has maintained a healthy load factor for both in- and outbound passengers

Durban, South Africa, 30 October 2026 – Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is deploying the A350 to Durban from 1 March 2027 on its daily EK 775/776 service, expanding the roll out of Premium Economy to all South African gateways. Beyond introducing the airline’s newest cabin to Durban, the A350 brings the airline’s latest inflight experience to the KwaZulu-Natal province.

Emirates first launched Premium Economy in both Cape Town and Johannesburg in September 2025 and, over the last 12 months, has seen consistently high demand for the airline’s newest cabin, driven equally by both leisure and corporate travellers. A significant percentage of travel in and out of Durban consists of visiting friends and family internationally, with passengers connecting via Dubai into key destinations such as Thailand, Indonesia, India, France and the UK. Now passengers will be able to enjoy their entire long-haul journey to all these destinations in Premium Economy.

Afzal Parambil, Regional Manager for Southern Africa, Emirates, said: “We look forward to welcoming travellers from Durban onboard the A350 in the new year, where they can experience elevated onboard amenities and Emirates’ signature service that make this aircraft a passenger favourite. 

The deployment also reflects our broader commitment to South Africa, with all our gateways now offering the latest inflight experience. South Africa remains an anchor of our African network, with some of the busiest gateways globally, and we are committed to continually enhancing the travel experience for our customers by providing them with more choice, connectivity and comfort.”

A closer look at the A350

As the newest aircraft type to join the Emirates’ fleet of all widebody aircraft, the A350 is equipped with the latest technology, enhanced entertainment options and all new cabin design focused on providing more space and comfort while travelling to elevate the in-flight experience.

The highlight is Emirates’ award-winning Premium Economy cabin that has been likened to a Business Class experience on other airlines, with its soft, cream leather seats that offer generous legroom and recline, in-seat charging points, a wood-finished side cocktail table and a 13.3-inch personal entertainment screen. Laid out in 2-4-2 configuration, Premium Economy is the ideal upgrade for comfortable long-haul family travel or solo adventurers looking for extra space.

Premium Economy passengers also enjoy a dedicated check-in counter and priority boarding at King Shaka International Airport, generous check-in baggage allowance of 35kg and a further 10kg of carry-on baggage.

Business Class is configured in a 1-2-1 layout providing every passenger with direct aisle access and a spacious, private environment to work or relax in. The fully lie-flat seat is wrapped in soft cream leather and features a personal minibar and wireless charging for comfort and convenience. At the back of the cabin is a snack display area allowing passengers to help themselves to refreshments throughout the flight.

Economy Class features an airy colour palette of sky blue, bronze and cream, complemented by lighter-toned wood finishings. The high, sweeping ceilings of the aircraft create a sense of space, while the ambient lighting helps passengers relax into the journey.

Every screen on the aircraft features Emirates’ upgraded ice inflight entertainment system. With improved navigation, controls and search, it is easier than ever to explore over 6,500 channels of content including podcasts, movies, TV series, music, digital newspapers and much, much more. Passengers can also pair their Bluetooth headphones with the A350 to use their own device while tuned into ice.

As always, customers can enjoy gourmet, regionally-inspired menus prepared by Emirates' chefs, accompanied by a carefully curated selection of premium beverages, including Journey’s End Weather Station Sauvignon Blanc 2025, produced by the family-owned estate near Stellenbosch, South Africa in Economy and Vilafonté Series C 2016, one of South Africa’s highly regarded fine wines, in First Class.

For more information or to book tickets, visit emirates.com. Tickets can also be booked on Emirates App, Emirates Retail stores, Emirates contact centre, or via travel agents. Emirates continues to offer flexible booking policies and industry-first, comprehensive travel insurance, for added peace of mind while travelling.

The Emirates Group will participate in two of DFC’s flagship community events, Dubai Ride and Dubai Run. More than 3,200 employees from across the Group took part in Dubai Run in 2025. This year, the Group aims to exceed 4,000 registrations for Dubai Run on 22 November, with employees already signed up for Dubai Ride taking place on 1 November.

Throughout the month, the Group’s more than 20 sports and hobby clubs are also actively participating in the Dubai Fitness Challenge with the Emirates Engineering Cricket Club joining the official DFC tournament, with fixtures beginning from 4 November. The Emirates Road Cycling Club will be joining the Dubai Ride, while the Emirates Paddling Club will participate in the fourth edition of the Dubai Stand Up Paddle (SUP) taking place on 7 and 8 November. The Emirates Group Basketball Club will also be competing in a tournament set to run from 4 November to 26 November.

Marking 10 years of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, members of the Emirates Scuba Diving Club took the celebration underwater, with four employee divers entering The Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm to unveil a sign ‘We’re celebrating 10 years of DFC, what’s your 30x30?’, a reminder that fitness can take any form.

The Group has also organised a corporate fitness session at the Za’abeel Park Fitness Village, where close to 300 employees will train side by side with other colleagues from across the organisation.

Complementing these activities, the Group’s wellbeing programme Sehaty will share practical fitness, nutrition and mental wellbeing tips with employees throughout the month. Sehaty runs year-round health awareness campaigns, supported by teams including Group Medical Services, Clinical Psychology and the Employee Assistance Programme, helping employees build healthier habits at work and at home.

The Emirates Official Store also unveiled its latest EK FIT and EK TRAVEL collections, just in time for DFC, offering performance wear, accessories and loungewear in a palette of navy, almond, burgundy and olive. With prices starting from AED 55, the collection is available to shop at emirates.store and at Emirates Official Stores across Dubai.

The Dubai Fitness Challenge runs from 31 October to 29 November 2026. This year, permanent employees who register and complete 30 minutes of physical activity or 10,000 steps every day for 30 days will also receive one Service-Related Concession ticket to anywhere on the Emirates network of close to 140 destinations, to further encourage employees to stay fit and adopt healthy activities.

From now until 30 November 2026, members can earn double Skywards Miles when booking hotel stays and car rentals with participating partners, as well as 50% bonus Miles on Emirates Skywards Hotels and Emirates Holidays packages. Members can also enjoy 25% bonus Miles when converting their ALL Accor Reward points into Skywards Miles.

Whether planning a festive family getaway, a winter escape or a long-awaited holiday, members can make their travel plans even more rewarding with a range of offers:

More Miles on hotel stays and holidays

• Emirates Skywards Hotels: Earn 50% bonus Miles on hotel stays.
• Emirates Holidays: Earn 50% bonus Miles on holiday packages.
• Booking.com: Earn double Miles on hotel stays.
• IHG Hotels & Resorts: Earn double Miles on eligible hotel stays.
• ALL Accor: Earn 25% bonus Miles when converting ALL Accor Reward points into Skywards Miles.

Double Miles on car rentals

Members can also earn double Skywards Miles when renting a car with SIXT, Europcar, Avis, Budget and Hertz, making it even more rewarding to explore their destination at their own pace.

Book now, travel until January 2027

The limited-time offers are available for hotel and car rental bookings made between 29 October and 30 November 2026, for stays and rentals completed by 31 January 2027.

For Emirates Holidays packages, members must book between 29 October and 26 November 2026, for travel until 31 January 2027.

With more opportunities to earn Miles beyond flights, Emirates Skywards continues to bring members greater value and flexibility through its extensive network of travel and lifestyle partners, giving members more ways to earn and spend Miles both while travelling and in their everyday lives.

Members can explore the offers and book their next getaway at emirates.com.

Ho Chi Minh City will receive twice-daily A350 services from 1 November

HANOI, Vietnam, 28 October 2026—Emirates is strengthening its offering in Vietnam with additional frequencies, expanded Airbus A350 operations and the introduction of Premium Economy in Hanoi. The airline will introduce a second daily A350 service between Dubai and Ho Chi Minh City on flights EK364/365 from 1 November. From 1 December, Emirates will also deploy its Airbus A350 on the two daily services between Dubai and Hanoi, flights EK394/395 and EK388/389.

With these enhancements, all four daily flights connecting Dubai with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will be operated by Emirates’ newest aircraft type by 1 December, offering customers a consistent onboard experience featuring the airline’s award-winning Premium Economy cabin and latest products.

Wahid Albalooshi, Country Manager of Emirates Vietnam said: “Vietnam continues to be an important market for Emirates, and these enhancements build on the airline’s ongoing investments here. Just last year, we launched operations to Da Nang, expanding our footprint in Vietnam across three major gateways. By deploying our best products in this market, we will ensure that travellers will receive a more consistent travel experience not only between Vietnam and Dubai, but also to other popular cities served by the Emirates Airbus A350.”

The Emirates’ Airbus A350 experience

The A350, the newest aircraft type to join Emirates’ all-widebody fleet, carries 298 passengers across three spacious cabins: Business, Premium Economy and Economy. Bright and airy interior cabins have been thoughtfully designed to provide more space and comfort, whilst cutting-edge technology and enhanced entertainment options elevate every journey.

Emirates’ Premium Economy cabin offers elevated comfort, comparable to a Business Class experience on many airlines. Spacious with leather reclining seats that feature a generous pitch, adjustable headrests and more legroom. Customers also enjoy in-seat charging points, a wood-finished side cocktail table, a 13.3-inch TV screen, a generously sized pillow and blanket, complimentary amenity kits on select flights, and the globally exclusive Chandon Vintage Brut 2017 sparkling wine.

Business Class is configured in a 1-2-1 layout, giving every passenger direct aisle access and a spacious, private setting for both work or relaxation. Each fully lie-flat seat is upholstered in soft cream leather and includes a personal minibar and wireless charging. At the back of the cabin is a snack display area allowing passengers to help themselves to refreshments throughout the flight.

Economy Class features an all new, airy colour palette of sky blue, bronze and cream, complemented by lighter-toned wood finishes. Each seat includes the airline’s upgraded ice inflight entertainment system on a 13.3-inch, 4K adjustable touchscreen, while generous seat pitch and leather headrests provide added support, comfort and extra legroom.

With the introduction of Premium Economy in Hanoi and expanded A350 operations in Ho Chi Minh City, Emirates is further enhancing its product offering for travellers across Vietnam’s two largest aviation gateways. Tickets can be booked now on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via both online and offline travel agents.

Vietnamese travellers may be eligible for a UAE visa on arrival if they hold a valid residence permit issued by the US, UK, an EU member state, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan or South Korea.

Passengers holding a valid and unexpired visit or tourist visa issued by the US, UK or Schengen countries, as well as US Green Card holders, may also be eligible for a visa on arrival. Conditions apply, and travellers should check the latest UAE entry requirements before departure.

Rome, 28 October 2026 – Emirates today unveiled its redesigned Travel Store in Rome, the first in Italy to feature the reimagined retail concept the airline is rolling out across key markets in its global network. Located at 12 Via Chopin, in the EUR district, the store offers a contemporary and welcoming environment where customers can benefit from the expertise of Emirates’ travel consultants and the airline’s renowned hospitality as they plan their journeys.

The opening ceremony was attended by Flavio Ghiringhelli, Emirates’ Vice President Regional Clusters for Southern and Central Europe, and Marco D’ilario, Emirates’ Manager for Italy, together with the airline’s commercial team, corporate clients, industry partners and Rome-based Emirates Skywards members.

“The refurbishment of our Rome Travel Store represents a tangible investment in our customer relationships and in the Italian market. Rome is a key part of Emirates’ presence in Italy: an internationally connected city where the needs of businesses, professionals and individual travellers meet a diverse and dynamic tourism market. Bringing our new retail concept to Rome reinforces our commitment to this strategic market, enabling us to provide personalised support that caters to every traveller’s needs and requirements,” said Marco D’ilario, Emirates’ Manager for Italy. 

“Direct interaction allows us to better understand our customers and build lasting relationships by developing solutions tailored to their needs, from choosing the right itinerary to selecting services that make their journeys more comfortable and personal. This space brings Emirates’ hospitality closer to customers and businesses in the local community, strengthening relationships that grow over time, one journey at a time”.

Opening this reimagined retail concept in Rome’s business and financial district compliments Emirates’ advanced digital presence by offering personalised travel support with a human touch for its customers in Italy. From itinerary planning to product selection and additional services, Emirates’ dedicated travel professionals will help customers tailor their travel arrangements to their individual needs. Customers with more complex requirements can further benefit from dedicated appointments with dedicated consultants. This service is particularly valuable for customers travelling in premium cabins, frequent flyers and small and medium-sized enterprises that manage their own business travel.

Investing in Emirates’ Global Retail Experience

The reimagined Rome Travel Store is part of Emirates’ global initiative to expand and refresh its retail presence, with stores that combine expert travel advice, the airline’s brand identity and a customer-centric approach to service. The airline has invested AED 174 million (USD$47.4 million) in this expansion plan and has already rolled out 10 Emirates World Stores and 13 travel retail outlets globally including Rome.

Emirates Skywards members, the loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, will also enjoy bespoke support by visiting the store. Travel consultants can help members make the most of opportunities to earn and redeem Miles, understand the benefits associated with their membership tier, including Platinum, and discover the services available to further enhance their travel experience.

The Emirates Travel Store in Rome is located at 12 Via Chopin, in the EUR district. It is open Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm.

Emirates in Italy

The refurbishment of the Rome Travel Store further strengthens Emirates’ presence in Italy, a strategic market served through four gateways: Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Venice and Bologna. The airline currently operates 49 weekly flights between Italy and Dubai, connecting passengers via its Dubai hub to more than 140 destinations across its global network. Emirates also operates a non-stop, daily service between Milan Malpensa and New York  JFK.

The gala dinner was attended by Yomna El Bahar, Vice Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt; Sameh Fawzy, President of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority; Magdy Ishak Azzer, chairman and chief executive of Cairo Airport Company; and Abdelbaset Al Marzouqi, Deputy Head of Mission for Consular Affairs at the UAE Embassy in Egypt, alongside senior officials, aviation, travel and tourism partners, and media representatives.

Also in attendance were Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer; Adel Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (Centre) at Emirates Airline; Khaled Bel Jaflah, Divisional Vice President for Commercial Operations, Middle East and North Africa, Emirates; and Abdulla Al Zamani, Emirates’ Country Manager in Egypt, along with other senior Emirates executives.

The event celebrated the airline’s long-standing relationship with Egypt and its role in strengthening air connectivity, supporting tourism and trade, and making travel easier for millions of passengers from Cairo to Dubai and beyond.

The evening featured performances by internationally acclaimed violinist and composer, Jihad Akl, Karen Daniel along with her jazz band, and Ahmed Saad, one of Egypt’s most popular artists. The airline also awarded top Egyptian travel agency partners, recognising their support for the airline and its growth in the Egyptian market.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Egypt holds a special place in the Emirates story. It was one of the first destinations we launched after the airline was founded, and our relationship has grown immensely over the last four decades, driven by the trust of our customers and close collaboration with our partners. We are proud of the role Emirates has played in connecting Egypt with the UAE and global markets, and in supporting inbound travel, tourism and trade. Egypt has significant economic and tourism potential, and we see promising opportunities to keep supporting travel growth, particularly with new landmark projects such as the Grand Egyptian Museum.”

Four decades of connecting Egypt to the world

Emirates began flying to Cairo in April 1986, less than a year after its launch, making Egypt the first market in the Middle East and Africa region to join its network, initially with just three weekly flights.

Today, the airline operates five daily flights between Dubai and Cairo, being served a mix of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. In the last 40 years, the airline has carried over 13.2 million passengers on close to 50,000 flights between Cairo and Dubai and vice versa, reflecting the continued growth of its operations and the importance of Egypt within its global network.

Through its Dubai hub, Emirates connects travellers from Egypt to close to 140 destinations across six continents, including top destinations for travellers from Egypt like Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Seoul, Osaka and Hong Kong. The key destinations travel into Cairo include Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Seoul, Osaka and Shanghai.

Emirates continues to support the growth of Egypt’s tourism sector and contribute to the goals of the country’s national tourism strategy, which aims to attract 30 million visitors a year by 2028, by strengthening air connectivity and facilitating access for visitors from international markets.

Supporting Egyptian trade and exports

Beyond passenger services, Emirates SkyCargo plays a role in supporting Egyptian trade, connecting local businesses to international markets by transporting a wide range of products across its global network. In the last 5 years, Emirates SkyCargo has carried over 170,000 tonnes of exports and imports between Cairo and the world, utilising the belly hold capacity of passenger flights.

Some key Egyptian exports carried by Emirates SkyCargo include fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood and other perishables, among them grapes, guavas, mangoes and strawberries, as well as fresh vegetables and herbs. Exports of Egyptian strawberries are particularly active during the season from November to March, with the main export markets being the Middle East, Europe and East Asia. The imports into Egypt include electronics, pharmaceuticals and general cargo.

Continued investment in the customer experience

Emirates continues to enhance the experience of customers travelling to and from Egypt with its latest products and services on the ground and in the air, including the operation of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft on Cairo flights.

Customers departing from Cairo can enjoy the Emirates Lounge at Cairo International Airport, which opened in 2018, as well as the Emirates World store, opened in January 2025, offering personalised travel advice, an opportunity to explore the airline’s products and services before travelling, and more importantly, a one-stop-shop for customers to seamlessly book their upcoming travels.

The Emirates A350 will operate daily to and from Mauritius on 709 and EK710 with the following schedule (all times are local):

· EK709: The flight departs Dubai at 07:55hrs, arriving in Mauritius at 14:40hrs.

· EK710: The flight departs Mauritius at 18:30hrs and arrives in Dubai at 01:10hrs (next day).

The Emirates A350 planned for the route will feature a three-class configuration with 298 seats: 32 Business Class seats, 28 Premium Economy seats and 238 Economy Class seats.

In addition to the A350 service, the airline also operates another two daily services to the island utilising its flagship A380 aircraft, both also equipped with its signature Premium Economy cabins for comfortable journeys to Dubai. Beyond Dubai, customers from Mauritius can enjoy the signature experience to Dubai and onwards to more than 70 destinations in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Oomar Ramtoola, Emirates’ Manager for the Indian Ocean Islands, said: “The arrival of the A350 marks another important step in Emirates’ continued investment in Mauritius. Our latest-generation A350 will introduce our new Business Class experience to the route, alongside Premium Economy, which is available on a growing list of routes in our network, in addition to a range of new onboard technologies.

“We are pleased to offer our customers even greater choice and comfort when travelling between Mauritius and Dubai, and onwards across our global network. Together with our two daily A380 services, the deployment of the A350 demonstrates the importance of Mauritius within our network and our commitment to continuously enhancing the travel experience for our customers."

Premium Economy: A Refined Travel Experience

Emirates’ Premium Economy has quickly become one of its most sought-after cabin experiences since the launch. Arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration, the cabin features soft cream leather seats and woodgrain finishing that echo the elegance of the premium cabins, a 13.3-inch personal screen, creating sophisticated and relaxing onboard environment. Each 19.5-inch seat offers generous legroom and recline, together with six-way adjustable headrests, a footrest, in-seat charging points, a wood-finished side cocktail table and a 13.3-inch personal entertainment screen featuring the airline’s award-winning inflight entertainment system with more than 6,500 channels of content in a multitude of languages.

Premium Economy passengers can enjoy a welcome drink, seasonal menus served on Royal Doulton china in addition to a curated beverage selection, along with an exclusive amenity kit, blanket and generously sized pillow made from sustainable materials. Added privileges include the priority boarding, a dedicated check-in area at Dubai International airport, and a generous baggage allowance of up to 35kg, all ensuring a seamless and comfortable journey from the ground to the skies.

Business Class: Fully Flat seats for a Restful Journey

The Emirates A350 Business Class cabin features a 1-2-1 configuration, offering direct aisle access and a spacious, private environment for both work and relaxation. The fully flat seat is upholstered in cream leather and equipped with a 20-inch 4K Ultra HD screen, a personal mini-bar, and wireless charging. Passengers can enjoy multi-course dining, paired with a curated selection of beverages, and complimentary Bulgari amenity kits and exclusive comfort essentials. A dedicated snack display area at the rear of the cabin also allows guests to help themselves to refreshments throughout the flight.

Economy Class: Comfort Throughout the Journey

Designed with comfort in mind, the cabin features adjustable leather headrests, generous legroom and a 13.3-inch 4K HD touchscreen running Emirates' upgraded ice inflight entertainment system, with Bluetooth connectivity and charging points for personal devices.

Customers can book flights through Emirates.com, the Emirates Travel Store at Docks 2, Caudan, or their preferred travel agent.

– ENDS –

Hanoi, Vietnam - 22 October 2026 - Emirates is celebrating 10 years of passenger operations to Hanoi, marking a decade of connecting Vietnam’s capital with Dubai and beyond, to nearly 140 destinations across the airline’s global network.

Emirates’ journey in Hanoi began in 2016 making Hanoi the airline’s second passenger destination in Vietnam after Ho Chi Minh City.

The route reflects Emirates’ sustained investment in Vietnam and its commitment to providing even better connectivity for travellers and businesses from and to the Vietnamese capital. Over the past decade, the Hanoi route has become an important part of Emirates’ operations in Vietnam. Since the launch of operations, Emirates has carried more than 1.7 million passengers between Hanoi and Dubai on over 6,140 flights. To date, the airline has also transported 74 million kilograms of belly-hold cargo, supporting the movement of goods between Northern Vietnam and international markets.

Wahid Albalooshi, Country Manager of Emirates Vietnam, said: “When Emirates first arrived in Hanoi in 2016, Vietnam’s international travel and trade story was entering a promising new phase. A decade later, Hanoi is not only Vietnam’s capital of culture and commerce, but an increasingly important gateway for tourism, investment and exports from Northern Vietnam. As Vietnam and the UAE deepen their economic partnership, the next chapter will be even more crucial.

For Emirates, our role is to continue elevating air connectivity between the two nations and beyond, while supporting local businesses and small and medium enterprises by seamlessly connecting them with major international markets.”

Connecting Hanoi to the world through Dubai

Over the past decade, leading destinations for Hanoi have included Dubai, Prague, Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid, Warsaw and Copenhagen.

Vietnam’s international tourism market continues to grow. According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, the country welcomed nearly 21.2 million international visitors in 2025—up 20.4% year on year and 17.8% from 2019 levels. More than 17.8 million arrived by air, representing 84.3% of all international arrivals and highlighting the importance of air connectivity to tourism growth. Emirates serves Vietnam with 21 weekly flights, offering vital connections to help cater to growing demand.

Supporting tourism and trade between Vietnam and the world

Emirates’ Hanoi operations support both passenger travel and the flow of goods between Vietnam and global markets. Commercial ties between Vietnam and the UAE continue to deepen, supported by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that came into effect on 3 February 2026, which provides a framework for stronger bilateral trade and investment.

Through its global logistics network, Emirates SkyCargo connects Vietnamese producers and exporters with international customers, carrying key commodities including hi-tech products, IT equipment and electronics. In FY 2025/2026, Emirates transported more than 21,630 tonnes of export cargo from Hanoi, representing a 57% year-on-year increase compared with the previous year. Between April and August 2026 alone, Emirates moved 10,700 tonnes of exports from Hanoi, a 52% increase over the same period last year.

In July 2026, Emirates SkyCargo launched a regular weekly transpacific charter service from Hanoi to Chicago O’Hare, marking a new chapter in Hanoi’s development as a strategic cargo gateway. The airline’s cargo arm currently operates five weekly dedicated freighter services on its widebody Boeing 777-F aircraft from Hanoi, strengthening cargo connectivity across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. Its enhanced freighter network has been a key contributor to Hanoi’s cargo growth, supporting increased volumes and opening access to new trade lanes.

Over the years, Emirates’ passenger and cargo operations have helped strengthen the bridge of tourism, business and trade between Vietnam, the UAE and worldwide.

As Dubai welcomes its winter season of festivals, events and outdoor experiences, the limited-time offer adds an extra reward for international visitors enjoying a holiday or stopover in the city. First introduced in 2021, the popular initiative returns with an opportunity for members to earn bonus Miles on top of those earned on eligible Emirates and flydubai flight tickets.

From discovering Dubai's cultural landmarks and world-class attractions to enjoying its diverse dining, shopping and entertainment experiences, members can make the most of their time in the city while getting closer to their next Skywards reward.

Make every minute in Dubai count

Emirates Skywards members who register and book an eligible return flight with Emirates or flydubai between 21 October and 5 November 2026, for travel between 21 October and 13 December 2026, can earn one bonus Skywards Mile for every minute spent in Dubai. 

Whether enjoying a short city break, a family holiday or an extended stopover, members can earn up to 7,200 bonus Skywards Miles, equivalent to five days spent in Dubai. The offer is available across all cabin classes and fare types on Emirates and flydubai.

Earn even more Miles

Beyond the Mile-A-Minute offer, Emirates Skywards members can continue to earn Miles through the programme's extensive network of hotel, retail and lifestyle partners across Dubai. 

Travellers staying at Atlantis The Palm can earn Skywards Miles on eligible hotel stays, while those looking to discover the city's desert landscapes and cultural attractions can earn or spend Miles on selected desert safaris and sightseeing tours with Arabian Adventures.

Shopping enthusiasts can also collect Miles on eligible purchases at Dubai Mall, home to an extensive selection of international brands, dining destinations and entertainment experiences.

For everyday purchases, members can download the Skywards Everyday app, save up to five payment cards and earn Miles at hundreds of participating brands across the UAE, spanning dining, shopping, wellness, leisure and more. 

With multiple opportunities to earn Miles throughout their visit, members can enjoy additional rewards beyond the bonus Miles earned through the Mile-A-Minute campaign.

Turn Miles into memorable experiences

Skywards Miles can be redeemed for flight tickets and upgrades on Emirates and flydubai, hotel stays and exclusive experiences through Skywards Exclusives. Members can also use Cash + Miles to reduce the cost of their next flight or on the Skywards Rail network in Europe.

From their next getaway to an unforgettable live event, every Mile earned brings members closer to a world of rewards.

To participate, members must:

• Register for the offer through emirates.com, the Emirates App, flydubai.com or other eligible registration channels by 5 November 2026.

• Book an eligible return flight originating outside the UAE between 21 October and 5 November 2026.

• Travel to Dubai between 21 October and 13 December 2026, with a minimum stay of 24 hours and a maximum stay of 30 days.

Bonus Miles will be calculated based on scheduled arrival and departure times in Dubai and automatically credited to eligible members following their stay. The offer is available to Emirates Skywards members residing outside the UAE. Travellers who are not yet members can join the loyalty programme for free and register for the promotion before the booking deadline.

For more information and to register for the offer, visit emirates.com. Terms and conditions apply.

The journey began with the arrival of flight EK068 at the former Kai Tak Airport, marking Emirates’ debut in Hong Kong and a new chapter in the city’s aviation story. Operated as a thrice-weekly Dubai-Hong Kong-Manila service, the route made Hong Kong Emirates’ 22^nd destination from Dubai and its fourth in the Far East.

“For 35 years, Hong Kong has been an important part of Emirates’ history from our first arrival at Kai Tak Airport to the introduction of new aircraft, products and experiences for our passengers. This anniversary allows us to reflect on our shared journey and look ahead towards the future. We remain committed to connecting Hong Kong with the wider world and enhancing the experience at every stage of travel. The sky is the limit,” said Sultan Alriyami, Emirates’ Hong Kong Area Manager.

Over the years, Emirates has become a preferred choice for Hong Kong travellers. The airline introduced its flagship A380 service to the city in October 2010, followed by a fourth daily Hong Kong-Dubai flight in October 2013. It opened the Emirates Hong Kong Travel Store in July 2024, its first in East Asia, creating a dedicated local presence for customers. The momentum continued in 2025 with the arrival of Emirates’ latest retrofitted Boeing 777 and A380 cabins, bringing an enhanced onboard experience to travellers departing from Hong Kong.

Today, Emirates serves Hong Kong with three daily flights, including two direct services to Dubai and a third daily service via Bangkok. Through Dubai, passengers can connect onwards to more than 138 destinations worldwide, including popular destinations among Hong Kong travellers such as London, Paris and Milan. From October, selected Hong Kong services, including flights EK380/381 and EK382/383, will be operated by the airline's flagship A380 aircraft.

Beyond expanding its global network, Emirates continues to focus on details that define each travel experience, from cabin products, dining and entertainment to service on the ground. Emirates’ dedicated lounge, which first opened its doors in 2012, welcomed customers back in March 2024 following an extensive refurbishment. In July 2025, the airline added another significant development when it introduced its world-class Premium Economy products on the Hong Kong route.

The brand-new Emirates Travel Store, located in Seef Boulevard, officially opened its doors on 19 October led by Khalid Bel Jaflah, Emirates’ Divisional Vice President for Commercial Operations, Middle East and North Africa, His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Humood bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Governor of the Capital Governorate, His Excellency Fahad Mohammed Salem Kardous Al Ameri, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Excellency Husain Ahmed Al Shuail, Undersecretary for Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs at the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, Brigadier Ammar Mustafa Jaafar Al Sayed, Deputy Governor of the Capital Governorate, and Sara Ahmed Buhiji, Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), and Reema Al Marzooqi, Emirates’ Country Manager Bahrain. The opening ceremony was also attended by several other senior government officials, business partners and media representatives.

Khalid Bel Jaflah commented: “Bahrain holds an important place in the Emirates network, and we have been part of the Kingdom’s communities and skies for more than 26 years. The opening of our new travel store in Manama reflects our continued investment in the Bahraini market and our commitment to transforming the customer experience through more innovative solutions, helping deliver on our ‘Fly Better’ promise right at the point of booking.”

The Emirates experience, up close in Manama

Located in Unit 15 on the ground floor of Seef Boulevard, the 215-square-metre Emirates Travel Store offers a modern, welcoming space featuring soft beige tones, ambient lighting, and the Ghaf Tree motif thoughtfully built into the interiors. Customers can easily connect with expert travel consultants for flight bookings, itinerary planning, personalised recommendations as well as book Emirates Holidays packages.

A key highlight of the space is the Boeing 777 Business Class seat on display, offering visitors a first-hand glimpse of the premium travel experience that Emirates has on offer. The retail experience is further enhanced by an interactive selfie mirror and a new queue management system designed to streamline customer service. The store is open from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week.

26 years of connecting Bahrain to the world

Since launching operations to Bahrain on 25 January 2000, Emirates has been seamlessly connecting Bahraini passengers to Dubai and beyond, offering access to close to 140 destinations across its global network. To date, the airline has operated more than 52,600 flights and carried around 8.3 million passengers between Bahrain and Dubai.

Today, Emirates operates 14 weekly flights between the two cities, served by a mix of Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft featuring the latest Premium Economy and Business Class cabins, and refreshed cabins throughout. Travellers from Bahrain enjoy convenient connections via Dubai to destinations including Dhaka, Manila, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Chennai, while the key markets for passengers travelling into Bahrain include Dubai, Dhaka, Manila, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangkok and Kochi.

Beyond passenger services, Emirates SkyCargo supports Bahrain’s trade links, connecting local businesses to global markets and carrying hundreds of thousands of tonnes of cargo to and from the Kingdom over the years.

Emirates remains committed to delivering a world-class service, expanding global connectivity, and strengthening its partnerships within the Bahraini market, while continuing to invest in its fleet, cabin interiors, and inflight entertainment and connectivity.

Dubai, UAE, 20 October 2026 - Emirates is adding 14 flights between Dubai and Durban across December 2026 and January 2027, giving customers more opportunities to travel during the busy festive season. Whether heading home to celebrate with family and friends, escaping the Northern Hemisphere’s winter for South Africa’s balmy summer, or making the most of the year-end break to explore somewhere new, the additional frequencies will offer more choice and connectivity during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Between 17–23 December 2026 and 2–8 January 2027, Emirates will operate a second daily flight between Dubai and Durban, using a three-class Boeing 777. Flight EK2535 will depart Dubai at 04:00 hrs, landing in Durban at 10:30 hrs; the return flight, EK2536 will take off from Durban at 12:15 hrs and land in Dubai at 22:30 hrs. EK775 and EK776, the existing daily service, will continue to operate as scheduled.

The additional flights will also offer Durban residents more opportunities to explore the world over the festive season. Via Emirates’ hub in Dubai, customers can connect to over 140 destinations on its global network, making it easier to plan holidays and discover new locations before ringing in 2027. The most popular December destinations with Durbanites include Dubai, Thailand, Indonesia, India, France and the UK, all of which benefit from seamless connections with the additional services. 

With a full programme of festivals and gigs, beachfront fireworks, cultural and heritage experiences, and exquisite dining options, Durban is at its best in summer. In fact, 1.2 million visitors travelled to the city across the festive period alone, last year. Emirates’ additional flights will support the city’s inbound tourism ambitions, creating more opportunities for international visitors to experience Durban’s unique and vibrant summer offering, particularly from destinations supported by the introduction of South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation such as India, China, Indonesia and Mexico. With convenient connections through Dubai from Emirates’ global network, travellers from Europe and other Northern Hemisphere markets can also trade winter’s colder days for Durban’s sunshine, beaches and festive-season atmosphere.

Emirates has introduced a number of flexible booking policies to account for last-minute changes to travel plans, such as unlimited free date changes across all cabins on tickets booked to Dubai, and one free date change to anywhere else on the network. Customers can use Hold My Fare to lock in the ticket price for 24 hours, at no extra fee, while they finalise plans. The airline is also offering significantly reduced refund fees.

For extra reassurance, travellers from South Africa and 26 other countries can add Emirates' Comprehensive Travel Cover when booking on emirates.com or later through Manage Your Booking. The insurance includes unlimited worldwide medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and cover for trip cancellation and baggage delay or loss. It also provides conflict cover, with medical expenses reimbursed up to US$25,000 and a free trip extension of up to 30 days, and it isn't restricted by government travel advice. 

Tickets are available now on emirates.com or the Emirates app, via travel agents or through online travel agents.

The Emirates exhibition revealed several innovative and future-focused ideas currently in development - including a cabin familiarization concept being explored for customers who are blind or have low vision, an accessible lounge suite for customers with reduced mobility, as well as biometric boarding gates for customers with accessible travel requirements.

Emirates cabin exploration for low vision

On the stand, Emirates showcased an immersive accessibility-led experience into the onboard journey for passengers who are blind or with low vision. Through a combination of spatial audio, tactile seat exploration and guided host interaction, the activation recreates key moments of the aircraft cabin experience in a calm, premium environment. Visitors are invited to be immersed in an audio-led experience while sitting in a real Emirates A350 aircraft seat with a U-Dream headrest, as the audio describes all aspects of the cabin around them. Rather than focusing solely on technology, the experience highlights how thoughtful design can help passengers build confidence, understand their surroundings, and travel with greater independence, dignity, and ease.

Emirates’ Barrier Free Access and Biometrics in Dubai

On the Emirates stand, visitors can see and experience the Emirates Biometric Path. In Emirates’ hub of Terminal 3, Dubai International (DXB), accessible boarding gates are equipped with a barrier-free design and biometrics that allow for smooth, independent movement for passengers with disabilities. The area now features flexible camera coverage, meaning that the cameras can self-adjust to heights and angles without restricting or dictating person’s movement if they are in a wheelchair. The Emirates self-service check-in kiosks have also been improved, with text-to-speech functionality, improved touchscreen usability, Braille and tactile features, audio accessibility through a headphone connection, and height-adjustable interfaces that support a wider range of passenger needs.

Emirates’ Accessible Lounge Suite

Emirates also showcased a new, dedicated wheelchair-accessible quiet area that offers customers with reduced mobility a comfortable and private space to rest and recharge before their flight. Emirates Lounge Suites provide customers with private space to relax, work, and dine in complete comfort and were first introduced to First Class Lounges in 2024. Drawing on the Emirates ground and inflight experience, they pair premium design with integrated technology - wireless charging and entertainment screens. The Accessible Lounge Suite is the next evolution of this concept. Designed to support passengers who use wheelchairs, passengers with reduced mobility, older travellers, and anyone who may benefit from additional comfort, transfer space or postural support while keeping the privacy and premium quality of the original suite. Finished with the latest Emirates lounge palette of wood, leather and marble finishes, the suite integrates accessibility into the design including a powered lift recliner with uplift, swivel, and recline functions, and integrated grab bars for enhanced support and independence. The lounge suite also has a dedicated wheelchair storage with accessible transfer space, for customers to relax independently or with the support of a companion. The prototype is currently being developed for First Class with the potential for other classes in the future.

The Emirates stand also showcased several products and services that Emirates currently provides to customers including:

Emirates Travel Rehearsals Programme

Emirates Travel Rehearsals are bespoke events arranged by Emirates and airports across the globe that allow enable children and young adults with autism, together with their families and support networks, to practice the journey through the airport to prepare for real flights - easing travel anxiety and empowering them to fly with more confidence. More than 35,000 Emirates staff have been trained to support customers with autism and can help facilitate travel, and Travel Rehearsals. Emirates teams work very closely with airport authorities and partners to make sure each rehearsal is a supportive and successful experience for the families.

Emirates has now completed 80 Emirates Travel Rehearsals across 6 continents, with more than 400 families positively impacted. Travel rehearsals have taken place across airports including: Accra, Amsterdam, Antananarivo, Athens, Bangkok, Barcelona, Bengaluru, Birmingham, Bogotá, Bologna, Brisbane, Brussels, Budapest, Cairo, Cape Town, Cebu, Christchurch, Clark, Colombo, Copenhagen, Da Nang, Dallas Fort Worth, Dar es Salaam, Delhi, Denpasar (Bali), Dubai, Dublin, Durban, Düsseldorf, Edinburgh, Geneva, Glasgow, Guangzhou, Hamburg, Hanoi, Harare, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Houston, Istanbul, Jeddah, Larnaca, Lisbon, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted, Los Angeles, Luanda, Lusaka, Madrid, Malé, Manchester, Melbourne, Miami, Milan, Muscat, Newcastle, Nice, Orlando, Oslo, Paris, Perth, Peshawar, Phuket, Port Louis, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Seattle, Stockholm, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, Toronto, Trivandrum, Valletta, Venice, Vienna, Warsaw and Washington D.C.

The ‘Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub’ on Emirates.com

Emirates Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on the flagship Emirates.com brings together information to help customers understand Emirates’ accessible and inclusive travel services, plan their journey and identify available support. Customers can choose to view and explore sections by disability, including Mobility Assistance, Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, and Hidden Disabilities. If preferred, customers can search by looking at specific parts of the journey, which have been clearly arranged – Before your flight, Departure from Dubai, Onboard your flight, Connecting in Dubai and Arriving in Dubai. A third option allows customers to browse by specific needs, including Book Special Assistance, Prepare for travel with the autism-friendly guide, Explore Dubai Airport (DXB) Map and Sensory guides, Find Emirates Support on Be My Eyes support app for people who are visually impaired, Apply for a Sanad tourist card to access helpful services in Dubai, and more.

There are also dedicated sections on Travelling with a Wheelchair and Mobility Aids, and detailed information on Medical Travel - including the Frequent Traveller Medical Card (FREMEC) for eligible customers who have stable medical conditions, and guidance on travelling with medications and medical devices. The new Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub also features a section on Family Travel with clear information on Travelling with Children, Travelling during pregnancy and Unaccompanied Minors travel.

Emirates’ Sensory Products & Fidget Toys

Emirates has designed a range of sensory products and fidget toys for customers of all ages that are available onboard in all cabin classes. Sensory and fidget tools are widely recognised to provide a familiar tactile activity and may help some neurodivergent passengers regulate sensory input, focus or feel more comfortable during travel. To support customers in this situation, Emirates has designed a tactile stress reliever in the style of an aircraft, two types of fidget cube and a branded aircraft rubber popper. The items are offered to passengers who are neurodiverse, anyone who is struggling onboard, and even to nervous flyers if appropriate.

Accessibility Features on Inflight Entertainment – ice

Emirates is committed to setting industry standards and accessibility for people with disabilities and now offers over 850+ movies with ‘Closed Captions’ and 200 movies with ‘Audio Description’, offering for customers with visual impairment. Emirates headphones are also compatible with hearing aids when set to the ‘T’ position. To alleviate anxiety or enhance relaxation, there are 12 channels of Wellbeing TV and 31 channels of Happiness and Wellbeing podcasts and playlists, including meditations and soothing sounds.

Onboard Emirates’ Airbus A350-900, a new user interface on ice has been designed in partnership with Thales and advocacy groups for customers with visual impairment, to ensure all customers have an intuitive, high quality inflight entertainment experience. The interface includes audio-cue navigation, voice metadata feedback, touch- and- swipe gesture support, helping passengers who are blind or have low vision navigate and select content more independently.

Emirates Accessible Chauffeur Drive Service

10 Emirates-branded wheelchair accessible vehicles are now available for customers in Dubai. The Emirates Chauffeur Drive accessible vehicle is a Mercedes V Class, with the lowered floor conversion kit offering easy and safe access to the vehicle, higher head clearance, electrically- operated easy -pull mechanism to board and off board the passengers, and adjustable seating arrangement options. Once inside, the additional safety restraints secure the customer who may have severe mobility disabilities. Emirates’ chauffeur drivers are currently being trained in mobility assistance and to support customers with disabilities. Currently, the wheelchair accessible vehicle is used for First and Business Class customers eligible for chauffeur drive services based in Dubai, with plans to extend its availability in the future.

Emirates’ focus on Accessible Travel

Championing Change

Emirates is championing change in the aviation industry, with the goal of making travel more accessible and inclusive for everyone. As part of efforts to champion change, Emirates established a dedicated Office of Accessibility and Inclusion and became the World’s First Autism Certified Airline in March 2025. Emirates has trained more than 35,000 staff to support customers with autism and has introduced the ‘Travel Rehearsal’ initiative across 6 continents, allowing customers to practice the nuances of the airport experience before travelling.

Designing for Dignity

Emirates is engaged in designing new policies, processes, and products with a focus on dignity of customers with accessibility requirements. Empowering all customers to fly with confidence, Emirates introduced a new Accessibility policy and commitment in recent years and implemented new processes in Call Centres to support customer requirements, launched the Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on Emirates.com to support the customer experience, and introduced many new products to support Accessible Travel in collaboration with direct feedback from communities and groups with accessible travel needs.

Advancing Accessibility

Emirates continues to drive the accessible travel agenda forward in an evolving space, doing what is right and responsible, step by step and prioritising innovation. Emirates also works with an array of partners internationally to advance the accessible travel agenda – from legislators, to operators, to specific groups and communities, and global customers. Emirates also aims to advance accessibility by standardising global processes and creating consistency - online, in call centres, in airports and inflight.

Created for people on the move, the collection is designed around a rich palette of autumnal tones consisting of navy, burgundy and olive, with comfort and style at their core, offering versatile pieces for the gym, everyday wear and travel.

EK FIT is a range of technical performance wear made from lightweight fabric for breathability and includes moisture-wicking properties. Women’s pieces include an assortment of essentials like mid-rise leggings, a fitted long sleeve half zip top with a hidden back pocket and thumb holes, available in navy, olive and burgundy, and a sports vest, available in burgundy and navy.

The men’s collection includes a long sleeve tee, a high-neck half zip top that doubles as a layering piece, and fitness shorts, all in navy, olive and burgundy. The shorts have an inner lining for support, a 7-inch length and an elasticated drawstring waist.

The complementary EK FIT accessories include a navy gym bag, cap and water bottle. The practical waterproof bag has several internal compartments, including a dedicated shoe space. The lightweight, quick-dry nylon cap features perforated mesh back panels that keep dry during intense workouts. The fully insulated stainless steel bottle comes with silicone trims, a leak-proof sip straw and a MagSafe ring that holds a smartphone securely in place.

The EK TRAVEL collection includes relaxed and elevated loungewear made from a supersoft fabric incorporating modal and cotton. The women’s oversized, slightly cropped half zip top, in lightweight stretch-infused modal is paired with matching wide leg pants. The men’s crew neck sweat top and matching straight leg pants have a pleat detail down the centre of the arm and leg, for a polished, tailored look. All casual matching sets are available in navy and olive. The range also includes a unisex oversized tee in a relaxed cotton modal blend, available in burgundy, almond, navy and olive.

With prices starting from AED 110, the collection is available online at emirates.store and at Emirates Official Stores in Emirates Group Headquarters in Al Garhoud, Emirates Group Technology Centre in Deira, the dnata Travel Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road, and at the Emirates World store in Town Centre Jumeirah.

Emirates Skywards members can earn and redeem Skywards Miles on purchases from the Emirates Official Store.

Delivered in line with Emirates’ commitment to Accessible Travel and El Dorado International Airport’s ‘El Dorado + Accessible’ programme, the Travel Rehearsal aims to make air travel more predictable, comfortable and accessible for individuals on the autism spectrum.

The initiative enables travellers with accessible requirements to participate in a guided simulation of the complete air travel journey, helping them become familiar with airport procedures and onboard environments ahead of their trip.

At El Dorado International Airport, individuals on the autism spectrum from local communities were invited to experience every stage of the airport journey, including check-in, baggage drop, security screening, and boarding. Participants also visited an Emirates aircraft, met cabin crew members, and completed a simulated arrival experience, including baggage reclaim and customs procedures.

Gianmarco Mazetti, Emirates’ Area Manager, Colombia, said: “Being the world’s first Autism-Certified Airline, we take pride in advancing our commitment to making travel accessible for everyone. The Travel Rehearsal provided participants an opportunity to experience the airport journey in a relaxed and supportive environment, helping them build confidence and feel prepared for future travel. We would like to thank El Dorado International Airport for its support and for sharing our vision of empowering people across the spectrum to travel with ease. This activation would not have been possible without the Emirates Airport Services management and team, who helped organise and host the experience.”

“El Dorado More Accessible is a set of programs designed to improve airport accessibility for passengers with non-visible disabilities. These include the Sunflower Program and ‘El Dorado at Your Own Pace’, an initiative that allows passengers who may experience travel-related anxiety to become familiar with the airport journey and procedures before their day of travel and making travel more accessible,” added Victor Alfredo Sanchez, Director of Customer Experience and Service at El Dorado International Airport.

Emirates became the world’s first Autism-Certified Airline, with more than 35,000 cabin crew and ground staff completing specialised autism awareness training. The programme equips employees with in-depth knowledge of the autism spectrum, common misconceptions, challenges faced during travel, and personalised support strategies tailored to individual passenger needs.

Since April 2025, Emirates’ Airport Services teams have come together to arrange more than 40 of these travel rehearsals for over 250 families across airports like Accra, Antananarivo, Athens, Bali, Bangalore, Barcelona, Bologna, Brussels, Cairo, Cebu, Christchurch, Da Nang, Delhi, Dubai, Dublin, Durban, Düsseldorf, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Harare, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, Luanda, Lusaka, Madrid, Male, Mauritius, Milan, Newcastle, Nice, Orlando, Oslo, Paris, Pampanga, Peshawar, Port Louis, Rome, Stansted, Stockholm, Sydney, Toronto, Trivandrum, Venice and Vienna.