Installed in the Emirates A350 Premium Economy cabin in a spacious 2-3-2 configuration with just 28 seats, the new seat represents the airline's latest investment in continuously raising the bar for customer experience. The electric privacy divider extends to the full height of the seat – the first feature of its kind in Premium Economy cabins worldwide. Emirates Premium Economy seats are a comfortable 20” wide, and seat pitch is up to 39” on the A350. Seats also recline into a cradle position without intruding on the row behind, so that customers can comfortably sleep and relax inflight.

How does it work?

Customers can effortlessly raise or lower the divider using the seat controls and lock it into position, creating a more private and personal environment for relaxing, dining or working throughout the flight. The new seat marks Emirates' first fully electrically powered Premium Economy seat, where customers can also adjust their preferred seating position at the touch of a button using the integrated Passenger Control Unit, with dedicated settings like lounge mode and meal mode.

Ergonomic comforts in Premium Economy

Comfort has been further enhanced with the introduction of Emirates' widely acclaimed U-Dream headrest by Safran Seats. Crafted in leather, the redesigned headrest provides exceptional neck and head support, allowing passengers to adjust the wings into multiple positions for personalised comfort. A manually deployable leather footrest offers additional relaxation and reduces leg fatigue.

Always-on power for customer devices

Wireless charging is also being introduced to Premium Economy for the first time, allowing customers to conveniently power compatible devices throughout the flight. Every seat also includes USB-C charging and a practical tray table with an integrated phone holder, transforming personal devices into a convenient second screen during meals or entertainment.

High-definition inflight entertainment and new aircraft cameras

Customers can also enjoy Emirates' award-winning ice inflight entertainment on a 13.3-inch 4K HDR touchscreen, delivering stunning picture quality with ultra-responsive navigation. On newly delivered Airbus A350 aircraft, passengers will also enjoy enhanced aircraft camera views, with new left and right exterior perspectives joining the existing forward and downward cameras to provide an even more immersive inflight experience.

Generous meals and beverages in Premium Economy

The new seat builds on Emirates' award-winning Premium Economy experience, where every element has been carefully designed to deliver an elevated journey from take-off to landing. Akin to a Business Class experience, customers enjoy gourmet, regionally inspired menus prepared by Emirates' chefs and served on Royal Doulton fine china with linen napkins and stainless-steel Robert Welch cutlery. Meals are accompanied by a carefully curated selection of premium beverages, including Chandon Vintage Brut 2021, an exceptional Australian sparkling wine available exclusively to Emirates Premium Economy customers worldwide.

In Premium Economy, Emirates customers are also treated to a selection of acclaimed wines. From September, customers travelling on select routes may savour Chablis Premier Cru Jean-Marc Brocard 2024, which showcases the purity and mineral precision of one of Burgundy's most celebrated Chardonnay producers, or La Parde de Haut-Bailly 2014, which offers the refined elegance of one of Bordeaux's most respected Pessac-Léognan estates. October will also mark a first for Emirates, as Wiston Estate Brut NV becomes the airline’s first English sparkling wine, served exclusively in Premium Economy on UK routes. Together, they reflect Emirates' continued investment in offering customers an exceptional wine programme, supported by more than US$1 billion invested in the airline's wine portfolio since 2006.

Thoughtful amenity kits with complimentary skincare

On long-haul flights, Premium Economy customers also receive exclusive reusable amenity kits designed in partnership with United for Wildlife. Crafted using bio-based materials including cactus leather alternatives, the collectible bags celebrate endangered wildlife across four natural habitats while introducing premium plant-powered skincare products from Aveda for the first time in Premium Economy. Each kit also includes travel essentials such as socks, eyeshades, earplugs and a dental kit, with sustainable materials incorporated throughout the collection.

Continuing to redefine Premium Economy

Since launching Premium Economy in 2022, Emirates has continued to expand the cabin across its growing fleet, with the product now available across all markets which are currently served with A350 aircrafts.

Inspired by the airline's signature Business Class experience, Emirates Premium Economy has set a new benchmark for the category - offering a level of comfort, privacy and refinement that rivals the Business Class cabins of many airlines. The cabin combines spacious seating, generous legroom, refined dining, world-class entertainment to deliver a distinctive travel experience that has earned multiple international awards including ‘Best Premium Economy Class’ at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2024 and 2025 and was named ‘Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class’ at the 2025 ULTRAs Awards.

The introduction of the world's first electrically powered Premium Economy seat with a full-height privacy screen marks the latest chapter in Emirates' long history of aviation innovation. From pioneering onboard connectivity and inflight Wi-Fi to introducing next-generation entertainment systems and continually investing in customer comfort, Emirates remains committed to delivering products that help customers Fly Better.

Since 2006, Emirates has invested more than USD 1 billion in its wine programme, building a cellar that today holds around five million bottles in dedicated facilities in France. Many wines are acquired years in advance and carefully matured until they reach their optimum drinking window, before being introduced onboard for guests to enjoy at their peak. As many wines are sourced in small parcels and limited allocations, Emirates customers are uniquely positioned to experience rare and sought-after vintages that are not widely available elsewhere.

First Class: icons of the wine world

Rounding off the year in style, Emirates is expected to introduce Dom Pérignon Vintage 2017 in First Class across its global network, the latest expression of the maison’s iconic prestige cuvée. Born from a year of striking contrasts in Champagne, Dom Pérignon Vintage 2017 brings together richness and freshness. Aromas of wet stone, jasmine and candied citrus lead to a vibrant palate, where richness is balanced by freshness, precision and a refined mineral character.

Currently served in First Class on African routes, Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2015 from Bouchard Père & Fils comes from one of Burgundy’s legendary Chardonnay terroirs in Puligny-Montrachet, renowned for its power, precision and exceptional mineral tension. With the appellation exceptionally small and Grand Cru Burgundy produced in limited quantities, allocations are highly restricted. The generous 2015 vintage reveals ripe citrus, white peach, subtle spice and delicate toasted notes, with both remarkable freshness and length.

Currently onboard First Class on European routes, Le Petit Cheval Blanc 2023 from Château Cheval Blanc is a rare white wine from one of Bordeaux’s most prestigious estates. Made primarily from Sauvignon Blanc supported by Sémillon, the 2023 vintage combines aromatic precision and freshness, with bright citrus, white flowers, grapefruit and subtle mineral tension. While Château Cheval Blanc is renowned worldwide for its legendary red wine, its limited-production white cuvée remains a distinctive and highly sought-after expression of the estate.

First Class customers travelling to East Asia can currently discover Seña 2016, one of Chile’s most iconic wines and a benchmark for premium Cabernet Sauvignon-led blends from the Aconcagua Valley. Seña demonstrates Chile’s ability to produce wines of world-class elegance, depth and ageing potential. The 2016 vintage offers black fruit, violet, tobacco and cedar, with fine tannins and a long, layered finish.

From late September, First Class customers travelling to Australasia will be served Penfolds RWT Shiraz 2015, one of Australia’s benchmark expressions of Barossa Valley Shiraz. Rich aromas of dark fruit, liquorice, mocha and spice are complemented by subtle savoury notes. On the palate, polished tannins give the wine structure, leading to a long, layered finish. With around a decade of maturity, it is already showing remarkable depth and complexity.

From October, Emirates will serve Château Mouton Rothschild 2003 in First Class on UK routes, offering customers a rare opportunity to experience a mature First Growth Bordeaux with more than 20 years of development. One of the great names of Pauillac and recognised as a First Growth in the historic 1855 Classification, the wine combines intense flavours of blackcurrant, blackberry and plum with notes of cedar, tobacco and warm spice. Ripe tannins and a long, structured finish add to its depth and complexity.

From December on select First Class routes, Vilafonté Series C 2016 will showcase one of South Africa’s highly regarded fine wines. The Cabernet Sauvignon-led Bordeaux-style blend combines black fruit, cedar and spice with polished tannins and a long, refined finish.

Business Class: Bordeaux prestige and a rare white Rhône

Currently onboard Business Class on US routes, La Dame de Montrose 2014 from Château Montrose is the second wine of one of Saint-Estèphe’s great estates and a Second Growth in Bordeaux’s 1855 Classification. The classic 2014 vintage offers blackcurrant, dark cherry, cedar and tobacco, with polished tannins and a long, savoury finish.

From late September on East Asia routes, Business Class customers can experience Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2024 from Domaine des Sénéchaux, a distinctive white from the Southern Rhône, where only around one in every 16 bottles produced in the appellation is white. The vintage offers white flowers, citrus, pear and subtle spice, with a rounded texture and fresh mineral finish.

Premium Economy: from Bordeaux and Burgundy to a British first

From October, Emirates Premium Economy will feature La Parde de Haut-Bailly 2014, from Château Haut-Bailly, one of the historic estates of Pessac-Léognan in Bordeaux. The wine offers blackcurrant, red plum, cherry, tobacco and cedar, with silky tannins, fresh acidity and a long, elegant finish after around a decade of maturity.

From September, Premium Economy customers will also be served Chablis Premier Cru Jean-Marc Brocard 2024, from one of Burgundy’s most distinctive white wine regions, where Chardonnay is renowned for purity, freshness and mineral precision. Lemon, green apple and white flowers lead to a fresh, refined palate with bright acidity, saline tension and a precise finish.

October will also mark a first for Emirates, as Wiston Estate Brut NV becomes the airline’s first English sparkling wine, served exclusively in Premium Economy on UK routes. Wiston Estate is a historic family-owned property in West Sussex, with vineyards on the chalk soils of the South Downs. Produced from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier using the traditional method, its Brut NV incorporates reserve wines and extended lees ageing for depth and complexity while retaining freshness and distinctive minerality. The wine has earned significant international recognition and Wiston Estate has been named WineGB Winery of the Year six times. Opening with green apple, freshly cut lemon and sourdough, the wine develops with a fine mousse and notes of candied citrus, butter and toast. The introduction of Wiston Estate exclusively on UK routes celebrates British provenance and craftsmanship while giving Emirates customers the opportunity to discover one of England’s benchmark sparkling wines.

Now onboard Premium Economy as a global Emirates exclusive, Chandon 2021 continues a celebrated partnership that has formed part of the cabin’s wine offering since Premium Economy launched. Produced in the Yarra Valley in Victoria using the méthode traditionnelle and aged for four years, the wine balances vibrant fruit with brioche and almond meal, freshness and length, while minimal dosage preserves clarity and regional expression.

Economy Class: characterful wines from France and South Africa

Across its global Economy Class network, Emirates is now serving a new collection of approachable and characterful wines.

Domaine de la Baume Tautavel 2023, a Grenache-Syrah from the Roussillon in southern France, offers ripe blackberry, blackcurrant and red plum complemented by liquorice, pepper and Mediterranean herbs, with smooth tannins and a fruit-driven finish. From October onwards, Emirates will introduce Château Pech-Latt Corbières 2024 - made from traditional Corbières varieties including Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Mourvèdre, offering ripe blackberry, blackcurrant and red fruits complemented by spice and Mediterranean herbs, with a round, supple palate.

For white wine fans, Cuvée Sabourin Picpoul de Pinet 2024 brings the freshness of France’s Mediterranean coast onboard, with bright lemon, green apple and white flowers alongside subtle mineral and saline notes. Crisp acidity and a clean citrus-driven finish make it particularly well suited to seafood and lighter dishes. Completing the new Economy selection is Journey’s End Weather Station Sauvignon Blanc 2025, produced by the family-owned Journey’s End estate near Stellenbosch, South Africa. The vintage displays green apple, citrus, grapefruit and kiwifruit complemented by subtle saline minerality, with lively acidity and a clean, refreshing finish.

Emirates' prestigious criteria for wine selection

Emirates applies stringent criteria to select wines that perform both on the ground and at altitude, considering fruit character, acidity, tannin levels, oak influence and, crucially, maturity. Many are acquired years before they are ready to serve and aged in professional facilities in France. Bordeaux wines destined for Business Class typically undergo a minimum of eight to 10 years of ageing, while those selected for First Class can mature for at least 12 to 15 years. This long-term approach enables Emirates to secure limited parcels of sought-after vintages and serve customers wines at their peak, as part of the airline’s Fly Better promise.

Customers with a Crypto.com account booking on emirates.com and the Emirates App can now select Crypto.com Pay™ at checkout, with transactions processed securely and in compliance with UAE regulatory standards. Crypto.com Pay™ is available to eligible UAE residents for bookings priced and settled in Emirati Dirham (AED).

The launch marks the implementation of a partnership between Crypto.com and Emirates announced in July 2025, when a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to explore the integration of Crypto.com Pay™ into the airline’s digital payment systems.

“Bringing this initiative to life delivers on our commitment to expanding customer choice in how they pay for travel. It also reflects the rapidly evolving preferences of a younger, digitally fluent generation who manage their money and plan their journeys primarily from their phones and they expect the airlines they fly with to keep pace,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer. “Moving from signature to launch with Crypto.com in a year is a credit to both teams, and to a regulatory environment that makes this kind of innovation possible, reflecting the UAE’s and Dubai's ambition to lead in fintech and the digital economy.”

“Partnering with Emirates is a milestone for Crypto.com and our Pay feature, which is renowned for its ease of use and seamless integration,” said Eric Anziani, President and Chief Operating Officer, Crypto.com. “This collaboration is a testament to the UAE’s forward thinking approach to innovation and we’re proud to support Emirates as it embraces the digital payments space.”

The integration is powered by Crypto.com's Dubai entity, the first Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) to be granted a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) licence by the Central Bank of the UAE and operates within the scope of the SVF framework.

How it works

When customers reach the payment step of their booking, Crypto.com Pay™ appears as a payment option at checkout on emirates.com and the Emirates App:

● On mobile: Customers booking through the Emirates App are directed to the Crypto.com app to complete the payment from their wallet, before being redirected back to the Emirates App to receive their booking confirmation and e-ticket.

● On desktop: Customers booking on emirates.com should select Crypto.com Pay™ at the payment step, then scan the QR code displayed on the booking page and approve the payment in their Crypto.com app. Once the payment is approved, the booking confirmation and e-ticket are issued on their screen.

This launch supports the Dubai Cashless Strategy under the D33 Economic Agenda, which aims to make 90% of all financial transactions across government and private sectors digital by the end of 2026. It also builds on Emirates' partnership signed with Dubai Finance last year to advance digital payments and follows Crypto.com's partnership with Dubai Finance to accept digital payments for government services.

About Crypto.com

Founded in 2016, Crypto.com is trusted by millions of users worldwide and is the industry leader in regulatory compliance, security and privacy. Our vision is simple: Cryptocurrency in Every Wallet™. Crypto.com is committed to accelerating the adoption of cryptocurrency through innovation and development of new use cases including prediction markets and tokenized RWAs.

Learn more at https://crypto.com.

With access to over 40 major operators across 12 European countries, Emirates Skywards members can now use their Miles to purchase rail tickets seamlessly via the dedicated booking tool www.skywardsrail.com  either online or via their mobile devices, in five different languages.

With the ability to search a variety of schedules, select cabins and ticket types, members can choose to pay fully with their Miles or by using a combination of Cash + Miles. Miles can even be used to purchase rail tickets for family and friends. Once purchased, e-tickets are conveniently delivered via email.

Dr Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, said:

‘Our members are looking for more flexible ways to use their Skywards Miles, and Skywards Rail is another step in expanding the programme beyond air travel. By unlocking affordable access to more than 12,000 rail destinations across Europe, we're giving members the freedom to create seamless journeys using Miles, whether that's travelling between major cities, connecting onwards from an Emirates or flydubai flight, or discovering somewhere new. It's all part of our commitment to offering more choice, greater value and rewarding travel experiences at every stage of the journey.’

Popular routes, exceptional value

With unparalleled access across domestic, international and high-speed rail travel, Emirates Skywards members can unlock some of Europe’s most popular routes from leading rail operators including Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, Trenitalia, TGV, Renfe, ÖBB, as well as extensive UK services such as Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express, Thameslink, Great Western Railway and ScotRail:

·       Heathrow Express starting from 4,700 Skywards Miles

·       Barcelona to Madrid from just 5,400 Skywards Miles

·       Rome to Milan from just 8,100 Skywards Miles

·       London to Paris from just 9,400 Skywards Miles

·       Berlin to Frankfurt from 4,100 Skywards Miles

Turning Miles into meaningful travel experiences

By expanding redemption opportunities beyond air travel, Emirates Skywards continues to evolve as a lifestyle loyalty programme, enabling members to travel more freely and seamlessly across Europe.

Since its inception in 2000, Emirates Skywards has grown at a rapid pace into a multi award-winning loyalty programme serving a global customer base. Having recently celebrated 25 years of success, Emirates Skywards is now used by more than 39 million members across 190 countries, with more than 78,000 new enrolments every week.

Whether shopping in-store, purchasing digital gift cards, treating themselves to Emirates merchandise, enjoying a smoother airport journey or redeeming unforgettable experiences, members have more ways to make their Skywards Miles go further. Eligible Emirates Skywards Visa Credit Cardholders in the GCC can unlock even greater value, enjoying up to 20% off selected event redemptions through Skywards Exclusives.

Get more back with Skywards Everyday

Skywards Everyday, enables members to instantly convert Skywards Miles into cashback at hundreds of participating retail, dining and lifestyle partners across the UAE, including Careem, Costa Coffee, MMI, BinSina Pharmacy, Al Jaber Optical, The Body Shop, NARS, and more. During the promotion period, members can convert just 350 Skywards Miles for AED 10 back.

Turn Miles into digital gift cards

Members can also spend their Skywards Miles through Skywards Miles Mall to purchase digital gift cards from a wide range of participating brands, including Amazon AE, Deliveroo, Shukran, Apple, NIKE, and more. Gift cards are available from a minimum of 2,000 Skywards Miles and can be used online or in-store, providing greater flexibility to shop whenever and wherever they choose.

Spend Miles across more experiences

The promotion also extends to Dubai Duty Free, where Skywards Miles can be used for purchases across participating outlets, the Emirates Official Store for official Emirates merchandise, and marhaba Airport Meet & Greet services, allowing customers flying with Emirates or any other airline to enjoy a seamless airport experience using Miles.

Exclusive savings for Emirates Skywards Credit Cardholders

Eligible Emirates Skywards Visa Credit Cardholders in the GCC can also enjoy up to 20% off their purchase when redeeming Skywards Miles for selected events on Skywards Exclusives. The offer applies to participating events marked with the 'Co-Brand Offer' label, giving members access to world-class sporting and entertainment events for fewer Miles.

Even more reasons to make every Mile count

Alongside these enhanced redemption offers, Emirates Skywards members can also take part in the programme's biggest Dubai Summer Surprises promotion yet. Until 30 August 2026, members who spend AED 200 or more with participating Skywards Everyday partners or through Skywards Miles Mall UAE will automatically be entered into a raffle to win 10,000 Skywards Miles.

A total of 500 winners will each receive 10,000 Skywards Miles, with five million Skywards Miles up for grabs throughout the campaign. Every qualifying transaction earns an additional raffle entry, giving members even more chances to win while shopping, dining and enjoying experiences across Dubai.

Members can also earn up to 1 Skywards Mile per US$1 spent at Dubai Mall, depending on their membership tier, complete weekly challenges on the Skywards Everyday app to unlock additional rewards, and enjoy bonus Miles offers across selected Emirates Skywards travel partners throughout the Dubai Summer Surprises festival.

With enhanced redemption offers, exclusive cardholder benefits, bonus earning opportunities and the chance to win a share of five million Skywards Miles, Emirates Skywards is giving members more reasons than ever to make every Mile count this summer.

The U-Dream is a multi-way adjustable headrest designed to provide full neck and head support during sleep or relaxation, which will be incorporated onto Emirates Economy Class seats across all Emirates A350’s and most of its Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s. As the first airline in the world to introduce it, the U-Dream headrest is already garnering outstanding praise from Emirates customers.

As part of Emirates’ innovative Z400 seat by Safran Seats, the leather U-Dream headrest is padded and features flexible side wings that can be folded inwards to gently cradle the head and neck. This helps passengers maintain a comfortable sleeping position without their head falling forwards or sideways. The design moves vertically and tilts to align with passengers of different heights and body types, providing personalised comfort throughout the flight. The U-Dream has been independently tested and verified to meet the rigorous aviation safety standards of European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Emirates is introducing the advanced headrest at scale, giving Economy Class customers an enhanced level of ergonomic support typically associated with premium cabins.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said:

‘Emirates never rests on its laurels when it comes to customer experience and we have found a way to significantly improve the comfort for Economy Class passengers, especially those travelling long-haul. The U-Dream changes the game if the person wants to sleep – by supporting the neck in full. No more neck pillows needed. It’s another innovation that shows our commitment to customers and cements our Economy Class as the best.’

Customers are reporting that the U-Dream headrest is easy to adjust and use, and Emirates cabin crew are also trained to assist customers where needed. The leather headrest is designed to be easily wiped down and is cleaned after every flight.

Currently already in the sky on 3 x A350 aircraft, Emirates is installing more as quickly as possible. In collaboration with Safran Seats, all Emirates’ A350 aircraft will have the U-Dream headrest installed by the end of the year. The U-Dream headrest will also come pre-installed on all 270 Boeing 777Xs that Emirates has ordered. From 2027 onwards, U-Dream headrest installation will also begin on Emirates’ retrofitted Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s.

Emirates Economy Class Experience: setting the global standard

Emirates has redefined the Economy Class experience by combining exceptional comfort, award-winning hospitality and industry-leading innovation across one of the world's largest international networks. From gourmet dining, the world's largest entertainment library in the sky, complimentary Wi-Fi, thoughtful amenities and renowned service - Emirates continues to set the benchmark for Economy travel.

Designed for long-haul comfort

Every Emirates flight is operated by a widebody Airbus A380, A350 or Boeing 777, giving Economy Class customers the benefits of wider cabins, more spacious aisles, larger overhead bins and improved cabin comfort. Ergonomically designed seats, generous legroom, mood lighting and personal entertainment screens help customers arrive feeling more refreshed. On the latest Airbus A350, customers also enjoy spacious 3-3-3 seating, large 13.3-inch 4K screens, USB-C charging, higher ceilings and Emirates' latest multi-dimensional adjustable headrests, designed to provide enhanced neck support for better rest on long journeys.

The world's largest entertainment library in the sky

Emirates' award-winning inflight entertainment ice offers more than 6,500 channels of content, making it the largest entertainment library available onboard any airline. Customers can enjoy thousands of movies, TV programmes, documentaries, music albums, podcasts and live sport from leading providers including HBO Max, Disney+, Paramount+, BBC, Discovery+, Shahid and Spotify. Younger travellers are equally well catered for, with dedicated children's content, specially designed headphones and multiplayer games.

Fast, free connectivity above the clouds

Emirates is introducing Starlink across its fleet, bringing fast, reliable internet to customers at 40,000 feet. Economy Class customers can stream, browse, work, game and stay connected with friends and family throughout their journey. 1 million connections to Starlink have already been made by Emirates customers, who praise the speedy service as ‘better than home’.

Exceptional dining – a frequent flyers award winner

Complimentary multi-course meals and beverages are served on every Emirates flight, regardless of route length. Menus are inspired by regional cuisines and complemented by soft drinks, tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages where available. Emirates regularly delights customers with extras such as warm cookies, popcorn and ice cream on selected routes, while a wide range of special meals caters for different dietary requirements. In the recent 2026 Best Airline Food and Drinks Survey, Emirates leads the way when it comes to premium dining in the sky and was ranked as the best for Economy Class meals, as well as Business Class meals and cocktails – as voted by thousands of frequent flyers.

World-class hospitality

With cabin crew representing 140 nationalities and speaking more than 70 languages, Emirates delivers a consistently warm and personalised onboard experience. Every crew member is trained to the airline's global hospitality standards in the Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence Dubai, ensuring attentive service for every customer, with specialist care for families, children and passengers requiring additional assistance.

Made for families

Emirates has long been recognised as one of the world's most family-friendly airlines. Children's meals, complimentary baby food and infant essentials, baby changing facilities, children's entertainment, pillows, blankets and age-appropriate activity packs help make travelling easier for families from take-off to landing.

Thoughtful touches throughout the journey

Long-haul Economy customers receive complimentary amenity kits created in partnership with United for Wildlife, while children receive collectible travel kits, toys and Emirates' Fly with Me activity magazine. These small details reflect Emirates' commitment to making every journey more comfortable and enjoyable.

A network customers can rely on

Emirates connects customers across six continents through its Dubai hub, offering seamless long-haul travel with a consistently high standard of service. The airline also handles almost three million bags every month, achieving a remarkable 99.9% baggage handling success rate - one of the best records in global aviation.

Rewarding every journey

With Emirates Skywards, customers can earn and redeem Miles on flights, upgrades, hotels, shopping and exclusive experiences. Young travellers can also join Skywards Skysurfers, allowing the whole family to earn Miles together from an early age.

Dubai, UAE - 14 July 2026: Emirates has introduced a new flexible payment solution to benefit its Indian customers, making it possible to fly better and pay conveniently with affordable monthly instalments.

Available now, Emirates passengers in India can book their travel to close to 140 destinations in the airline’s expansive network, while enjoying the convenience of paying by Equated Monthly Instalments (EMI). Instead of paying upfront on emirates.com, customers can split their payments into flexible instalments of three to 36 months.

Customers can simply use their credit card to select the payment option, with participating banks including AXIS Bank, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, HSBC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, IndusInd Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, RBL Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, State Bank of India, and Yes Bank.

“We are delighted to offer flexible payment solutions to our valued customers in India and enabling worldwide travel for more customers to enjoy by providing convenient payment options,” said Mohammad Sarhan, Emirates’ Vice President for India and Nepal.

“Flexible payment solutions will allow our customers in India to book the payment plan that suits their needs and choose from a host of participating bank partners. This solution is a game-changer for our customers in India as it will allow them to book long-awaited holidays or upgrade their experiences while spreading the payment in easy monthly instalments that suit their budget.”

Emirates’ flexible payment plan is available to customers of 12 preferred banks in India. More information is available on https://www.emirates.com/in/english/special-offers/emi-instalment-payment/

*Conditions apply and vary by bank, including eligibility criteria, processing fees, applicable interest rates and processing times. Customers will bear the applicable fees/charges associated with instalment payments, depending on their chosen bank.

o   From October, Emirates’ flagship A380 to operate to Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru

o   Longstanding commitment to India includes continued investment in operational and service enhancements

Dubai, UAE – 9 July 2026: Emirates, the world's largest international airline, will introduce its flagship A380 to Delhi from 25 October, making the Indian capital the third gateway in the country to be served by the iconic double-decker. The A380 will operate on flights EK512/513 in a four-class configuration, complementing the deployment of Emirates' retrofitted B777 aircraft, also in a four-class layout featuring Premium Economy, across its three other daily flights.

With its highly-acclaimed Premium Economy cabin now available on all flights between Dubai and Delhi, Emirates brings its latest signature product to the route, reaffirming its commitment to elevated comfort for travellers to and from India. The thoughtfully designed cabin features spacious cream leather seats with generous legroom and recline, refined dining served on chinaware, and an extensive suite of amenities. From October, Premium Economy will be offered on flights to six Indian cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Kochi giving customers traveling to and from India greater choice when planning their travel.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer said: “Emirates' long-standing commitment to India is reflected in the continued rollout of our latest products, designed to enhance the travel experience. We are pleased to introduce our highly anticipated A380 services to Delhi, a vital gateway in our network, from October. Given the strong demand for travel to and from India, it is an honour to expand our A380 footprint in the country, with Delhi joining Mumbai and Bengaluru as our third A380 destination. We would like to thank the authorities for making this possible and value our continued partnership.

“We are also making our Premium Economy product more widely available across India to reach six gateways and close to half of our scheduled weekly flights. A host of other service enhancements are in the pipeline as a testament to our partnership with India and commitment to our customers.”

Elevated experiences await customers in India
In a series of operational enhancements that will elevate the customer experience for its Indian customers, Emirates’ signature Premium Economy cabins will be rolled out to six cities, on a mixed fleet consisting of Airbus A380, Airbus A350 and four-class configured Boeing 777 aircraft.

Delhi-Dubai
Passengers on the Delhi–Dubai route will now enjoy expanded options, with four cabin classes on all daily services. Premium Economy will feature on EK513, operated by the much-loved A380, as well as on the Boeing 777-operated EK511, EK515 and EK517

Kolkata-Dubai
From 25 October, Emirates' daily Kolkata–Dubai service, EK570/571, currently operated with a Boeing 777, will be served by the airline's next-generation A350, bringing its signature experiences, including Premium Economy, to the route. With flights EK572/573 operating five times weekly on a four-class retrofitted B777, Premium Economy will be available across all 12 weekly flights between Kolkata and Dubai.

Continued roll out of Premium Economy across India
By the end of October, Emirates will offer Premium Economy to six Indian cities, and customers seeking additional comfort and privacy during their journeys can book seats on four daily services from Delhi, 12 weekly from Kolkata, 22 weekly from Mumbai, nine weekly from Ahmedabad, seven weekly from Bengaluru and two weekly from Kochi.  

Enhanced customer service with a personalised touch
As part of its ongoing commitment to India, Emirates is rolling out a series of enhancements to elevate the customer experience on the ground and in the air.

The airline recently opened retail travel stores in Delhi and Mumbai, where customers can explore its innovative products and services with personalised support from highly trained staff. Stores in Hyderabad and Bengaluru are set to follow, along with a dedicated call centre in Mumbai.

In the air, customers across Emirates' nine Indian gateways can savour regionally inspired menus crafted by award-winning chefs, celebrating the rich diversity of Indian cuisine, while catering to a range of palates and dietary preferences. Cabin crew on Indian routes speak a host of languages, including Hindi and select regional languages, while the airline's inflight entertainment offers over 6,500 channels featuring Bollywood blockbusters in Hindi as well as content in Tamil, Malayalam, Gujarati, Kannada and more.

Emirates serves nine gateways across India - Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram operating 167 weekly flights to Dubai and onward to its global network, spanning almost 140 destinations. Across four decades of service, each flight has been a catalyst, connecting people, enabling commerce, and driving progress and prosperity.

Until 30 August 2026, members who spend AED 200 or more with participating Skywards Everyday partners or through Skywards Miles Mall UAE will automatically be entered into a raffle to win 10,000 Skywards Miles.

A total of 500 winners will be selected with 250 winners from eligible Skywards Everyday transactions and 250 winners from eligible Skywards Miles Mall purchases. Each qualifying transaction of AED 200 earns one raffle entry, giving members even more chances to win throughout the promotion period.

"Dubai Summer Surprises is one of the city's most anticipated annual events, bringing together world-class shopping, entertainment and family experiences. Through this campaign, we're giving our members even more reasons to enjoy everything Dubai has to offer, while rewarding them with the opportunity to earn and win Skywards Miles. Whether shopping in-store or online, every qualifying purchase brings members one step closer to winning 10,000 Skywards Miles."

Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates Skywards

Even more rewards during Dubai Summer Surprises

Dubai Summer Surprises offers 60 days of unbeatable value, family-friendly experiences and exciting moments across the city, until 30 August. Residents and visitors can enjoy live entertainment, cultural events, fitness activities, dining experiences and exclusive retail rewards.

Skywards members can also maximise their rewards throughout the festival by shopping at Dubai Mall and earning up to 1 Skywards Mile for every US$1 spent, depending on membership tier.

Members can also take part in weekly Skywards Everyday app challenges, offering additional opportunities to earn rewards through various challenges during the Dubai Summer Surprises festival.

Earn 50% bonus Miles with Emirates Skywards travel partners

Members can also accelerate rewards across Emirates Skywards’ global partner network with:

• 50% bonus Skywards Miles on hotel stays, including Emirates Skywards Hotels, Marriott Bonvoy, IHG Hotels and Resorts, Jumeirah and more.
• 50% bonus Miles on car rentals, including Hertz, Avis & Budget, Europcar, Sixt and CarTrawler.
• 50% bonus Miles with partner airlines, including United Airlines, Air Canada, Aegean Airlines, Japan Airlines and more.
• 50% bonus Miles on Emirates Holidays packages.

The offer applies to travel completed by 31 August 2026, with members able to earn up to 10,000 bonus Miles per partner. Registration is required to participate, and bonus Miles will be credited within 60 days after the end of the offer period.

About Skywards Everyday

Skywards Everyday enables Emirates Skywards members to earn Miles automatically on everyday purchases across hundreds of UAE partners. Members can save up to five Visa or Mastercard cards to earn Miles when spending across categories including shopping, dining, beauty, wellness, leisure, pharmacy and grocery. Skywards Miles can also be converted into cashback or points across Skywards Everyday’s partner network.

Simply download the Skywards Everyday app, and choose from hundreds of participating partners such as Careem, Costa Coffee, MMI, BinSina Pharmacy, Al Jaber Optical, The Body Shop, NARS, and more. Earn 1 Mile for every AED 3 spent with all partners, except grocery and pharmacy, which offers 1 Mile for every AED 5 spent.

About Skywards Miles Mall

Skywards Miles Mall is Emirates Skywards' online shopping platform, where members earn and spend Miles on online shopping every day across various categories, including food, fashion, beauty, electronics, health, wellness, grocery, utilities, travel, leisure, entertainment and more from brands like Amazon AE, Deliveroo, Ounass, iHerb, Bloomingdales, Net-A-Porter, Bath & Body Works, Coega Sunwear, and more.

Emirates customers consume over 64 million chocolates every year

Across its global network, Emirates customers enjoy more than 64 million pieces of premium chocolate annually, an increase of 4 million more chocolates than the year before. Emirates also handcrafts approximately 26 million chocolate desserts every year across all four cabin classes. From indulgent chocolate mousse cakes in Economy Class to elegant plated desserts in First Class, chocolate has become one of the most anticipated moments of the Emirates onboard dining experience. 

Behind these sweet moments is an operation of remarkable scale. Every year, Emirates loads approximately 750,000 kg of luxury chocolate giveaways from premium suppliers onto its aircraft, while also using around 260,000 kg of various chocolate ingredients to create handcrafted desserts for customers travelling across the airline's global network. 

Rather than relying on a single supplier or cocoa origin, Emirates partners with world-renowned chocolatiers and premium chocolate manufacturers to offer customers a diverse range of flavours, textures and experiences throughout the year. Cocoa is carefully sourced from renowned growing regions including South America and Africa, with every supplier selected not only for exceptional quality and craftsmanship, but also for responsible sourcing and sustainable production practices.

Chocolate selections tailored across destinations

Emirates culinary design team creates chocolate desserts with destinations in mind. Rather than offering the same flavours worldwide, the team develops recipes inspired by regional tastes, seasonal ingredients and local preferences. Mediterranean-inspired routes may feature chocolate paired with fresh berries or stone fruits, while Asian destinations inspire combinations with tropical fruits, yuzu or matcha. Across the Middle East, pistachio continues to be one of the region's favourite flavour pairings, inspiring many of Emirates' signature chocolate creations. 

"Our chocolate desserts are never created in isolation. We look at the destinations they're travelling to; the flavours customers enjoy in different parts of the world and the premium chocolate that best complements those ingredients. That philosophy allows us to create chocolate experiences that feel both familiar and globally inspired."

Doxis Bekris, Vice President Culinary Design at Emirates

Behind every chocolate dessert is a team of 250 dedicated pastry and bakery chefs. Over the course of a year, the culinary team creates more than 120 different chocolate desserts across all four cabin classes, ensuring menus continue to evolve with seasonal ingredients, destination-inspired flavours and customer preferences. 

Customer tastes continue to evolve, with Emirates seeing approximately 5% year-on-year growth in chocolate consumption, particularly in richer dark chocolate varieties. While chocolate preferences differ across regions, salted caramel remains one of the airline's most popular flavour pairings across its dessert collection.

The chocolate journey begins before take-off

The Emirates chocolate experience extends beyond the aircraft into the airline's premium airport lounges, where First and Business Class customers can enjoy an evolving selection of curated chocolate desserts and premium confectionery before their journey. Current highlights include the intense Chocolate Cake, Banana and Yuzu Cake featuring Valrhona's Hukambi 53% dark milk chocolate, the Royal Chocolate Mousse Cake and Cake Alcazar, and creations from celebrated partners including Valrhona, La Rose Noir, Gianni & Gelato, Compartés, Baklava Made Better and French Bakery. 

Every cabin receives its own chocolate experience

Each cabin class offers its own distinctive chocolate experience, carefully designed to complement the overall onboard dining journey. 

Economy class customers can enjoy decadent desserts such as the Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake with chocolate sauce and caramel curls. Premium Economy customers are served elevated creations including the Chocolate & Pistachio Mousse Cake with apricot curd. 

Business class customers are treated to sophisticated desserts that showcase refined pastry techniques, including the Chocolate Entremet with cocoa glaze, dark chocolate soil and gold raspberry, accompanied by a curated assortment of premium chocolates from UAE chocolatier Coco Jalila, celebrating locally crafted flavours. 

For First class customers, Emirates further elevates the experience through elegantly plated desserts such as the intense Chocolate Cake with sponge, dulcey soil and chocolate hazelnut sauce, alongside a carefully curated luxury chocolate selection that rotates every four months, serving various finest chocolatiers and flavour profiles throughout the year, allowing frequent flyers to discover something different on every journey. Current brands onboard Emirates include Valrhona from France, Coco Jalila from UAE, and Canonica and Neuhaus from Belgium.

Over the past five years alone, more than 250,000 children have travelled with Emirates using its Unaccompanied Minors and Young Passenger services. Most young travellers are aged 11 years and under, with the busiest routes connecting Dubai with the UK, Russia, Kenya, France, India and Egypt.

When children are flying without their family, Emirates is there every step of the way. Designed to give parents and guardians complete peace of mind, Emirates' Unaccompanied Minors Service provides dedicated support from check-in through to arrival, ensuring children enjoy a supervised and safe trip from check‑in until destination, with plenty of fun and memorable moments along the way.

A Parent & Guardians guide to Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minors and Young Passenger Service

Book with confidence up to 24 hours before

Children aged 5 to 12 years travelling alone are required to use Emirates' Unaccompanied Minors Service and travel on an adult fare. The service can be booked up to 24 hours before departure through Emirates LiveChat, by calling 00971600555555 or any local Emirates office.

Young travellers aged 12 to 15 years may travel independently without the service at their parent or guardian's discretion. However, families who would like additional support can request the Young Passenger Service for USD 50 per flight, subject to availability, with the same dedicated supervision and support provided throughout the journey.

Children aged 5 - 12 years old can also travel in a different cabin class from their parent or guardian on the same flight, but they will be charged an adult’s fare. The child will be considered ‘accompanied’ and won’t have access to the Unaccompanied Minors Lounge and special services.

Begin the journey at Emirates Unaccompanied Minors Lounge

When parents and guardians bring their young flyer to Dubai International Airport (DXB), they can go straight to the newly renovated Unaccompanied Minors Lounge near the check‑in area. Proof of identification must be provided to Emirates by the person dropping off the child and the guardian will need to sign a permission form. Children will be swiftly checked in and can then relax with video games on new PlayStation 5 Pro consoles, enjoy free Wi‑Fi, and comfortable sofas. In the dedicated and private space supervised by the Emirates team, kids can enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks while they wait for their flight and use the children’s bathrooms.

Get support and supervision from a trained Emirates specialist for the whole journey

At the airport, a specialist member of Emirates’ team will meet the child at the Unaccompanied Minors check‑in desk. The Emirates specialist stays with the child all the way through the airport, taking care of them and carrying their passport for safety. The specialist helps them through security and immigration, facilitating priority boarding so that the child has time to get settled on their flight, before introducing them to the cabin crew at the aircraft door for the next stage. While in the air, Emirates cabin crew are on hand to make sure the young flyer has a comfortable and memorable journey. Parents and guardians can request any special dietary requirements in advance and advise whether the child would like to sit by the window or the aisle, or seat siblings together. Emirates cabin crew regularly check on the child to ensure they are enjoying their trip, are eating their meals and whether they need any support in adjusting their seat or inflight entertainment system.

Have fun onboard with Emirates Cabin Crew

Children onboard Emirates can pass the time with complimentary toys and giveaways, more than 100 video games and a huge array of children’s content on the award-winning inflight entertainment ice, including new release movies, Disney Classics, Marvel Studios and Star Wars collections, and the complete Harry Potter movies series, CBeebies, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. 

If it’s the child’s birthday, parents and guardians can order a cake 48 hours before the flight and Emirates cabin crew will celebrate the special occasion. Special memories are captured with a Polaroid camera, so children have a keepsake of their travels.

Arrivals accompanied by the Emirates team

Once children land at their destination, a specialist member of Emirates’ team will be at the aircraft door to welcome them. The child will be accompanied through the airport until they meet their parent or guardian at Arrivals, and proof of identification must be provided to Emirates by the person collecting the child.

Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minor Service for Connecting Customers

The safety and security of children is of the utmost importance to Emirates - a family friendly airline. Some terms and conditions are in place to protect children from an uncomfortable journey. If the child is transferring from an Emirates flight to another Emirates flight at Dubai International (DXB), the maximum connection time allowed is 8 hours. If the connection time is above 8 hours, this will be subject to approval from Emirates. Children on connecting flights will be brought to an Unaccompanied Minors Lounge to rest and wait before being brought to their flight and handed over to cabin crew. If they need to go into the airport for a meal, they will be accompanied by an Emirates specialist. A young passenger is not permitted to stay overnight at their connecting airport unless an adult guardian is arranged to meet and care for them at the transit point, and this is subject to Emirates approval.

Read more about Emirates Unaccompanied Minors Service

With over 60 Starlink-equipped Emirates flights taking to the skies every day, customers are choosing to connect to high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi to stream content, join video calls, browse social media, game online and stay connected with family and friends throughout their journey.

The one million milestone reflects the rapid adoption of Emirates' next-generation connectivity service, currently available on 33 Boeing 777 aircraft and three Airbus A380s, with installations continuing at pace across the airline's fleet and more aircraft with Starlink taking flight every week.

From kilobits to gigabits

Emirates has long been a pioneer in onboard connectivity and was among the first commercial carriers to introduce internet access onboard the Airbus A380, with first-generation systems delivering less than 1 Mbps of total aircraft bandwidth. Emirates' existing inflight Wi-Fi service already enables customers to stay connected throughout their journey, with access to messaging, email, web browsing and social media on most flights. Complimentary access is available for all Emirates customers.

Today, Emirates is setting a new benchmark with Starlink-equipped A380 aircraft capable of delivering more than 2 Gbps of combined bandwidth, so that customers in all classes can enjoy a seamless, complimentary internet experience capable of live calls and streaming at 40,000 feet.

Engineering connectivity at an unprecedented scale

Following the successful rollout of Starlink across the Emirates Boeing 777 fleet, the service has also been introduced to the Airbus A380. As the world's largest passenger aircraft, the A380 features three Starlink antennas, specifically designed to support its double-deck layout and high passenger capacity. The system delivers enhanced coverage, capacity and performance across all cabin classes. Future planned enhancements will include integrating Live TV streaming to Emirates' award-winning inflight entertainment system – ice, which customers can already do on their personal devices.

Bringing Starlink to more Emirates customers

To support rapid deployment across the fleet, Emirates has already begun Starlink installations at Emirates Engineering facilities in Dubai, accelerating the introduction of next-generation connectivity across more aircraft. With installations already completed on 33 Boeing 777s and three Airbus A380s, Emirates remains committed to bringing complimentary, ultra-fast Wi-Fi to as many customers as possible, as quickly as possible.

Emirates’ commitment to innovation

The introduction of Starlink on the Airbus A380 forms part of Emirates' continued investment in elevating the customer experience across every stage of the journey. Alongside one of the aviation industry's most ambitious fleet retrofit programmes, Emirates continues to introduce innovations that enhance comfort, choice and connectivity for millions of travellers worldwide. To date, 128 aircraft have undergone a complete cabin refurbishment, including the introduction of Premium Economy, refreshed Business and First Class products, upgraded Economy cabins and enhanced inflight entertainment systems offering more than 6,500 channels of content.

Customers should allow extra time for traffic approaching the airport, parking, Immigration, security screening, and travelling between concourses to reach their boarding gate. Customers are also encouraged to use Emirates' range of convenient check-in options to reduce waiting times at the airport.

• Arrive at the airport: 3 hours before departure
• Pass through Immigration: 1.5 hours before departure
• Reach your boarding gate: 1 hour before departure

Top tips to have a smooth and seamless trip with Emirates

Take the Metro straight into Dubai International (DXB)

To avoid traffic delays, allow extra time to reach the airport and consider taking the Dubai Metro straight into Emirates Terminal 3. The metro opening hours are:

• Monday to Thursday and Saturday - 5am to 12am
• Friday - 5am to 1am
• Sunday - 8am to 12am

Check in online or on the Emirates app and select your seats

Download the Emirates app for flight details at your fingertips. Book and change flights, download a digital boarding pass for most destinations, get notifications about your flight, check what meals will be served, pre-order your hot meal in Business Class, book a chauffeur drive service and even pre-select and plan movies to watch via ice inflight entertainment. Customers can also check in on Emirates.com. Online check-in and app check-in are both open 48 hours ahead of flight departure time.

Check in and drop your bags 24 hours before departure, or 12 hours ahead for US flights

Emirates customers can drop off luggage at the airport the night before travel at no charge. Passengers departing from Dubai can check in early and drop off their bags up to 24 hours before departure, or 12 hours before departure if flying to the US. On the day of travel, customers can proceed directly to Immigration.

Check in and drop your bags at Emirates in DIFC and Ajman

Save time at airport and check in at the Emirates City Check‑in and Travel Store in ICD Brookfield Place, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) instead. Conveniently located in the heart of the business district, Emirates customers can check in and drop off luggage as early as 24 hours and up to 4 hours before a flight. Customers can check in between 8:00am and 12:00am daily until the 10 August - beginning their travel experience with seamless service via self-check-in kiosks, or at dedicated desks with Emirates agents.

Customers can also check in remotely at Emirates City Check In Ajman, located in Ajman Central Bus Terminal as early as 24 hours and as late as 4 hours before the flight departs. Emirates City Check-in Ajman is open 24/7.

Book Home Check-in and let the agents come to you

Emirates customers can also opt to check in at home in Dubai and Sharjah. Agents complete the check-in process at the customer's home, hotel, or office, and take the bags on to the flight so that they can arrive later with only hand luggage. The service must be booked at least 24 hours before a flight. The Home Check-In service is complimentary for First Class passengers and Platinum Skywards members.

Be self-service savvy at the airport

Use the Emirates self-check-in and bag drop kiosks, or the Emirates Check-in Ports for a swift and easy experience. Located near the entrance to the Terminal, these pods are one of the quickest ways to drop your bags off.

Emirates Skywards members can register for Emirates Biometrics on the Emirates app before travelling to use facial recognition and breeze right through the airport.

Utilise transport options in the airport

When moving between Concourse A and Concourse B, Emirates customers can use the complimentary train in Terminal 3. Emirates also offers a shuttle bus service between Concourse A and Concourse C, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The bus departs every 20 minutes, and the average travel time is also 20 minutes. The Pickup and Drop-off points are at clearly marked connection desks - the Arrival Level adjacent to the Central Connection Desk in Concourse A, and Connection Desk E - Duty Free Level in Concourse C. First Class customers can also use dedicated Emirates buggies available on request throughout the airport, while Dubai Airport Buggies (also called Dubai Taxi) are available for all types of customers free of charge, with priority extended to the elderly, families with children and People of Determination.

Pack smart and avoid delays

Emirates requests that customers are vigilant while packing bags and follow the restricted items procedures. Customers should take note of rules such as power banks are allowed in hand baggage but not allowed in checked baggage. Smart bags are allowed in the cabin if the battery is removable and within the cabin baggage size and weight limits. The battery can remain installed as long as the smart bag is completely powered off. E-cigarettes including e-cigars, e-pipes, Electric Portable Incense (Perfume) Burner or other personal vaporizers containing batteries must be individually protected to prevent accidental activation and are only allowed as carry on luggage.

Pre-order your shopping

Customers who wish to save even more time can pre-order shopping on EmiratesRED.com and get access to exclusive retail products, which are then delivered to their seat in the air. The pre-order service is available on most flights, and customers can shop from 21 days up to 40 hours before their flight, providing their flight details during checkout. Cabin crew then deliver the order directly to the customer’s seat inflight. Emirates RED’s new summer catalogue features more than 200 products from brands like Hermes, Parfum de Marly, Tom Ford, Creed and Jo Malone and customers who pre-order can use the code RED10 to save 10%.

Support for People of Determination

People of Determination can access dedicated support from trained Emirates and airport staff. This includes a pre-planning guide for Dubai International Airport (DXB), 2 hours of complimentary airport parking and access to a dedicated priority lane for check-in, passport control, security and priority boarding if required. Customers can check the Accessible Travel page on Emirates.com for information and contact their Emirates local office with queries.

Check in online now 

Emirates will invest more than AED 50 million into each next-generation lounge, underscoring its commitment to delivering world-class facilities across its global network. With Emirates Lounges in Munich and Frankfurt already being explored and enjoyed by customers, the Emirates Lounge in Manchester is planned for July, followed by Mauritius in August, and Istanbul in October.

The new signature lounge design translates the celebrated aesthetic of the Emirates’ latest cabin interiors into a sophisticated ground experience. Customers can expect contemporary architecture and furniture, integrated technology, locally inspired dining, expert recommendations from an in-house barista and mixologist and wellness-focused amenities tailored to premium travellers. Artfully arranged to cater to customers who work, dine, relax and connect while travelling, the latest lounge concept sets a new benchmark for premium airport lounges.

“Our investment in our next-generation signature lounge concept reflects Emirates’ continued commitment to delivering a seamless, premium experience at every stage of the journey. These new lounges have been designed to combine refreshed luxurious interiors with the elevated hospitality and innovation that Emirates is known for - a space for our customers to relax, enjoy, dine and prepare for their travel in comfort. As we expand this concept and theme across our global network, it will set a new benchmark and standard for airport lounges and further strengthen our premium proposition.”

Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer at Emirates

Inspired by the elegant palette of Emirates’ cabin interiors and the flagship lounges of Dubai, customers will benefit from more than 50 design enhancements, including distinct zones for relaxation, work, socialising and dining. The new signature lounges display an unmistakably Emirates aesthetic, with discreetly integrated lighting, herringbone floors throughout, accents of marble and gold, and the signature backlit Emirates Ghaf Tree motif - a nod to UAE culture highlighting the national tree.

Focused Work & Productivity in Emirates Lounges

For customers who wish to work or stay connected while travelling, the new Emirates Lounges offer more private areas, as well as communal spaces designed to function as both social hubs and working areas. Details such as Italian eco-leather seating, wireless charging and universal power access at every seat enhance productivity, while a dedicated artefact wall honours both local artists and Emirati culture. Emirates’ signature Rolex clocks adorn walls and provide global time zones.

Elevated Dining in Emirates Lounges

With ample seating and an inviting atmosphere, dining areas in the new Emirates Lounge design have been reimagined around culinary theatre and live cooking. Menus will offer a wide variety of international cuisine, with highlights including regional specialities and a dedicated ‘Made In’ area spotlighting the best of local cuisine. Live cooking stations will offer à la minute dishes, while hot and cold buffet selections will be refreshed throughout the day and night. A dedicated bread oven fills the air with the tempting aromas of handcrafted pizzas, flatbreads and manakeesh, inspired by the city of Dubai.

Premium beverages continue to be offered with Emirates’ curated selection of wines, beers, champagne and spirits. A new barista bar concept will feature a dedicated mixologist offering locally inspired cocktails, mocktails and speciality coffees and artisan teas.

Restorative relaxation in Emirates Lounges

Guests are welcomed into a calm environment enhanced by Emirates’ signature scent of bergamot, citrus, jasmine and soft wood, while displays of local plants and fresh floral arrangements enhance the ambiance. Customers who wish to freshen up will enjoy upgraded shower suites with spa-inspired finishes and sustainable VOYA amenities.

Dedicated male and female prayer rooms offer a serene environment for spiritual reflection with ablution facilities and Qibla direction integrated into the design, ensuring guests can perform their prayers in comfort and privacy.

For relaxation and sleep while on layovers, the Quiet Zone provides an oasis of calm. Featuring plush seating, soft lighting, and sleep amenities such as blankets, eye masks, and earplugs, this area is designed to help guests recharge. Additional facilities include spaces for private meetings and breastfeeding, ensuring every customer’s needs are accommodated. All Emirates Lounges operate as silent environments, ensuring a peaceful experience for travellers.

About Emirates Lounges

Emirates Lounges are accessible on a complimentary basis to First Class and Business Class customers, as well as Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members, including those travelling in Premium Economy and Economy Class. Paid access is also available.

Emirates has a vast network of 42 dedicated airport lounges, including 8 in Dubai and 34 located within major airports around the globe, all designed with the same attention to detail and exceptional service. Emirates operates lounges in key cities across the network - Auckland, Bangkok, Beijing, Birmingham, Brisbane, Cairo, Colombo, Delhi, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Kuala Lumpur, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Melbourne, Milan, Munich, New York (JFK), Paris (Charles de Gaulle), Perth, Rome, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Vienna and Zurich.

At Dubai International Airport (DXB), 8 Emirates Lounges are located in the flagship Terminal 3, with 3 lounges for First Class customers and 5 for Business Class customers.

Visit the Emirates Lounges

DUBAI, UAE, 25 JUNE 2026: Emirates has unveiled its latest collection of luxury Bvlgari amenity kits for First and Business Class customers, continuing a partnership with the iconic Italian maison that has spanned more than 16 years.

The new Spring/Summer collection marks the 18th iteration of Emirates’ exclusive Bvlgari amenity kits and will be introduced gradually across select long-haul flight routes throughout the year. Designed to complement Emirates’ latest retrofitted cabin interiors, the collection combines sophisticated aesthetics, premium materials and Bvlgari’s most celebrated fragrances, ensuring customers enjoy an elevated inflight experience from take-off to landing.

Reflecting Emirates’ commitment to continually enhancing the customer journey, the latest collection features warm spring colour accents in first class and light summer in business class, refined detailing and thoughtfully curated amenities tailored by cabin class and gender.

First class luxury Bvlgari amenity kits

Emirates First Class customers will discover two elegant amenity kit designs for men and two for women, featuring vibrant colour palettes and premium finishes.

For men, the chocolate-toned faux leather bags are accented with rich burgundy lining and detailing, while women will receive a sophisticated champagne-toned metallic faux leather design with soft blush pink interiors. The updated colours have been carefully selected to complement the fragrance bottles featured inside each kit.

The First Class collection showcases Bvlgari’s prestigious Le Gemme high-perfumery scents. Female customers will receive Le Gemme Sahare Eau de Parfum in an exclusive 30ml bottle, inspired by the mystery, warmth and radiance of desert landscapes, with luminous notes of ambergris and Taif rose. Male customers will enjoy the return of the highly sought-after Bvlgari Le Gemme Yasep Eau de Parfum, also presented in a generous 30ml bottle, featuring sophisticated woody notes inspired by the vibrant energy of the Blood-red Jasper gemstone.

Alongside the exclusive fragrance, First Class kits include a selection of travel essentials such as a dental kit, refreshing cleansing towel, deodorant, tissues and foldaway hairbrush, designed to maximise comfort during the journey. The fragrance is complemented by a matching Bvlgari hydrating face and body emulsion, alongside a lip balm. The female customers will also receive an elegant Bvlgari-branded golden pocket mirror designed as a keepsake item.

Business class refined Bvlgari amenity kits

Business Class customers will receive equally stylish and functional amenity kits, designed with refined materials and refreshed colour combinations.

Men's kits are presented in a rich chocolate brown fabric with cool grey lining, while women's kits feature a buttercream faux leather finish complemented by soft pink accents. The refreshed interior colours and detailing create a contemporary look and reflect the new fragrance bottle colour inside.

The Business Class collection includes Bvlgari Man Rain Essence Eau de Parfum for men and Omnia Crystalline Eau de Parfum for women. Bvlgari Man Rain Essence captures the freshness and transformative power of rain through vibrant green tea and musk notes, while Omnia Crystalline offers a light and luminous floral scent inspired by the clarity of crystal, with notes of lotus flower and white peony. Select fragrances are presented in exclusive travel-size 5ml formats created exclusively for Emirates customers, offering a distinctive touch of luxury at 40,000 feet, while maintaining Bvlgari's timeless elegance.

Each kit contains a thoughtfully curated range of inflight essentials, combining practicality and premium design; such as the Omnia Crystalline face emulsion and body emulsion, alongside a Bvlgari lip balm, and some comfort essentials including a dental kit, double mirror (for female passengers only), deodorant, tissues and a foldaway hairbrush.

Designed with responsible sourcing in mind

As part of Emirates’ ongoing commitment to responsible sourcing, several elements within the amenity kits have been developed using materials with recycled content.

Both First and Business Class bags are crafted using fabrics containing recycled content, while selected accessories including the foldaway hairbrush and comb are made from recycled content. Additional sustainable touches include dental kit packaging produced using black kraft paper and a double-sided mirror along with the case covers are made from recycled materials in selected Business Class kits.

Dubai, UAE, 23 June 2026: Emirates has once again been honoured at the 2026 Business Traveller Middle East (BTME) Awards, securing the industry's most coveted accolade—Best Airline Worldwide—alongside Best First Class and Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East for its First Class Lounge at Dubai International Airport.

The long-running Business Traveller Middle East Awards are among the region’s most respected travel industry honours, recognising excellence across the business travel sector, with winners determined through nominations and votes cast by Business Traveller Middle East readers. Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim, accepted the awards on behalf of the airline.

The wins reflect Emirates' commitment to enhancing the customer experience, both in the air and on the ground. With 219 Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s undergoing complete refurbishment, the airline's fleet retrofit programme continues to accelerate, while ongoing new Airbus A350 deliveries bring its latest cabin products and technologies to a growing share of its global network of nearly 140 destinations.

The refurbished aircraft and new Airbus A350s now serve over 70 Emirates global destinations, delivering a more elevated and consistent inflight experience for customers travelling to, from, or through Dubai.

Emirates’ First Class sets the benchmark for luxury air travel, with enclosed private suites, a dine-on-demand menu featuring regionally inspired cuisine, unlimited caviar paired with Dom Pérignon champagne, luxurious loungewear and amenity kits by Bulgari, premium skincare products from Byredo, Shower Spa and the Onboard Lounge on the A380, and many other thoughtfully curated amenities. The premium experience, whether in First or Business Class, extends beyond the cabin with chauffeur-drive services in close to 90 Emirates’ destinations, priority airport services, and access to Emirates Lounges in more than 30 destinations worldwide.

Recognised as the Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East, the airline’s three First Class Lounges at Dubai International Airport offer à la carte dining, complimentary spa treatments, a premium duty-free shopping area, an exquisite wine selection, and direct boarding access from select gates, among many other benefits.

Continued investment across its products, services, and network keeps Emirates firmly ahead of the curve.

The airline recently rolled out Starlink on board and once complete, will operate the world's largest Starlink-enabled international wide-body fleet. To date, 36 aircraft have been equipped with the high-speed connectivity service, enabling customers to stream content, game, make calls, work, and browse social media throughout their journey. Emirates also recently launched Comprehensive Travel Cover insurance, an industry first, offering travellers added peace of mind and protection while travelling. Later this year, in October, Emirates will launch a daily flight to Helsinki, making it the only year-round, direct link between Finland and the UAE.

Dubai, UAE, 22 June – Emirates is kickstarting the summer holidays with exclusive offers for passengers travelling to or through Dubai. From complimentary stays at the iconic JW Marriott Marquis*, to hundreds of discounts through the popular My Emirates Pass, travellers can enjoy even more value while exploring the city, whether visiting for a longer getaway or a short stopover. 

Built for all seasons, Dubai offers an unrivalled variety of experiences in one destination, making it easy to tailor a summer escape to any travel style or length of stay. Travellers can explore both in- and outdoor activities that entertain, inspire or educate; visit world-famous attractions like the Burj Khalifa; enjoy immersive, thrilling experiences at theme parks; or beat the heat entirely by spending a day at Dubai's museums and interactive art galleries. As one of the world's most visited cities, Dubai is ready to welcome travellers with the warmth, hospitality and safety the destination is renowned for. 

Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates said, “Whether visitors are seeking relaxation, adventure, entertainment or a combination of all three, Dubai is the ideal start to any summer vacation. We’re inviting passengers to enjoy even more of the city with a complimentary hotel stay to take advantage of the exceptional range of shopping, entertainment, dining and family-friendly experiences that define the Dubai summer experience, when stopping over as part of your journey or visiting Dubai as your final destination.”  

Unwind at the JW Marriott Marquis

Emirates is offering passengers the opportunity to turn their stopover into a city break, or extend their summer holiday, with a complimentary stay in the luxurious 5 star JW Marriott Marquis, located in the heart of Dubai. Guests can dine in award-winning restaurants and bars featuring cuisine from all over the world, visit the Saray Spa, a sanctuary of wellness inspired by ancient rituals, work out in the fully equipped gym and state-of-the-art reformer-based studio, BodyBase or take a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool, overlooking the stunning city skyline. 

From 22 June to 12 July, travellers who purchase an Emirates return ticket in First Class or Business Class are invited to enjoy a two-night stay, while customers booked in Premium Economy Class or Economy Class can enjoy a complimentary one-night stay.* This special offer is valid for all return tickets to or stopping over in Dubai for more than 24 hours, for customers traveling between 25 June and 30 September. 

Maximise your stopover with Dubai Experience

Along with a luxurious stay at the JW Marriott Marquis, customers from select markets can take advantage of Emirates’ Dubai Experience platform to make the most out of their stopover, creating tailored itineraries to suit all travellers, including 24- and 48-hour itineraries. 

Unlock special offers with My Emirates Pass

Emirates’ popular My Emirates Pass is back for summer 2026, with over 600 offers available with every Emirates boarding pass. Save at a multitude of venues, including spas, restaurants, big-name retailers and much more by simply showing either a physical or digital** boarding pass along with a valid ID at participating venues to enjoy the benefits. 

Now in its 28^th year, Dubai Summer Surprises returns for 2026 with one of its biggest programme of activities and offers yet. From 2 July to 30 August, residents and visitors can expect extraordinary live Beat the Heat DXB concert series, cultural events and an array of wellness and fitness activities, as well as big savings and exclusive, limited-time experiences in the city’s malls and lifestyle destinations. 

Emirates is currently operating to over 138 global destinations and offering customers peace of mind with flexible rebooking policies. All bookings made after 2 April 2026 include one complimentary date change, across all cabin classes, while Hold My Fare will lock in great ticket prices, while customers finalise the rest of their summer holiday bookings. Finally, Emirates recently launched an industry-leading Comprehensive Travel Cover insurance, available in select markets, to offer customers added confidence and protection while travelling this summer.

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. 

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Notes to Editors

*Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the website for further information.

** Passengers who checked in online and downloaded their boarding pass to the Emirates App or Wallet should remember to screenshot it before landing, as it will no longer be accessible afterward.

Dubai, UAE 17 June 2026: Emirates has become the first airline in the world to offer Comprehensive Travel Cover, an industry-first travel insurance product that handles it all, including medical cover for conflict-related incidents, backed by airline-managed hotel accommodation and extended-stay support across a range of disruption scenarios.

When itineraries include connecting on other airlines or Emirates services are unavailable, Emirates will also rebook disrupted customers to their destination at no additional cost, including where flights have been cancelled due to conflict-related disruption.

Customers can now plan and travel with even greater peace of mind from the moment they book their journey, with expanded medical cover in the insurance product, supported by Travel Guard, and additional disruption support by Emirates on top of the existing travel insurance offering.

Emirates' new Comprehensive Travel Cover includes trip cancellation cover, compensation for baggage delay or loss, unlimited medical expense and emergency evacuation cover worldwide, among other generous benefits. Newly added conflict cover provides reimbursement for medical expenses of up to US$ 25,000 and a free trip extension of up to 30 days. The cover is not restricted by government travel advice.

Rooted in Emirates' 'fly better' brand promise and its duty of care to customers is airline-managed hotel accommodation during disruptions, including airspace closures**. This is in addition to existing customer-first benefits such as a free date change for tickets booked from 2 April, and the option to ‘hold my fare’ for 24 hours free of charge, giving travellers flexibility, reassurance, and support at every step.

Emirates Comprehensive Travel Cover is available at an accessible premium and delivers exceptional value. Available from today, it can be purchased on emirates.com at the time of booking or added to existing bookings via Manage Booking.*

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “Listening to customer feedback, we realised that travel demand remains strong but there was a gap in the market with regards to travel insurance cover. Therefore, we acted to address our customers’ needs. Together with Travel Guard, a leader in the global insurance industry, Emirates is pleased to offer an enhanced travel insurance product that is as comprehensive as it is reassuring for a wider range of situations. With strong demand for travel in summer, we are proud to offer our customers added confidence in planning their journeys to and through Dubai when they book with Emirates.”

Russel Antonio, Head of Global Business & Partnerships, Travel Guard added: “Our long-standing collaboration with Emirates is grounded in a shared commitment to elevating the customer experience. By combining our strengths once again, this new comprehensive travel product offers enhanced protection that sets a new benchmark in the industry and responds to the needs of today’s travellers.”

*Terms and conditions apply, coverage and availability may vary by market

**Delivered as an airline service (not an insurance related benefit)

Comprehensive Travel Cover is available to purchase in the following markets:

Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom

Ensuring that Emirates customers don’t miss a moment and enjoy of the one of the most watched sporting events in the world - Sport24 on ice is offering the full schedule of matches onboard. Bringing together fans from every nation and creating moments that transcend borders, passengers can follow the action live at 40,000 feet, ensuring they never miss a goal, a celebration, or a defining moment of the competition.

To help passengers stay up to date with the action and plan for their travel, the full FIFA World Cup 26™ live broadcast schedule is available in the June edition of the ice magazine, making it easy to follow every match throughout the tournament.

Live TV, including Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra, is available on most Emirates flights. Availability may vary depending on aircraft type and route.

FIFA World Cup 26™ matches will also be screened where possible in the Emirates Lounges of Dubai.

More live sports available on ice

From 4-20 June, Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra on ice will also screen the NBA Finals for basketball fans. Canada Sail Grand Prix will be screened live from Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia on 20-21 June, as well as the Formula 1® Moët & Chandon Belgian Grand Prix on 19 July, and the Formula 1® AWS Hungarian Grand Prix on 26 July.

Based on verified passenger feedback, Emirates achieved outstanding scores across five pillars - seat comfort, cabin service, food and beverage, entertainment, and connectivity.

1. Emirates scores highly for seat comfort

Whether travelling on an Airbus A380, A350 or Boeing 777, Emirates customers consistently praise the airline’s commitment to comfort. Thoughtfully designed cabins, generous personal space and ergonomic seating combine to create an environment where passengers can relax, work or sleep with ease, even on the world’s longest routes.

As part of Emirates’ ongoing fleet retrofit programme, every cabin continues to be enhanced with the latest generation of seating and onboard features. From October onwards, Emirates Economy Class customers will benefit from the introduction of new lightweight Safran Z400 seats, specifically designed for comfort and convenience, featuring an adjustable eight-way headrest for enhanced neck and head support.

The award-winning Emirates Premium Economy cabin offers spacious cream leather seats with generous recline, full leg and footrests, and a six-way adjustable headrest designed for long-haul comfort. Customers also enjoy integrated charging ports, side cocktail tables and a 13.3-inch personal entertainment screen.

Emirates Business Class continues to evolve with sophisticated new seating inspired by Safran’s luxurious S Lounge design, already featured on the airline’s A350 fleet. Each seat creates a greater sense of privacy and converts into a fully lie-flat bed complete with a dedicated mattress and pillow. Wireless charging, customisable mood lighting, enhanced storage, minibar amenities and multiple charging options further elevate the onboard experience.

Emirates First Class continues to set the benchmark for luxury air travel, with fully enclosed private suites described by travellers as a ‘hotel room in the sky’. Designed to maximise privacy and wellbeing, the suites feature electronically controlled doors, personalised climate settings and ambient mood lighting. The seat reclines seamlessly into a lie-flat bed and can be adjusted to the airline’s signature ‘zero gravity’ position for optimal rest and relaxation.

2. Emirates recognised for exceptional cabin service

Hospitality remains at the heart of the Emirates experience. Representing more than 140 nationalities and speaking over 70 languages, Emirates cabin crew convey a hospitality philosophy that is built around 4 pillars - excellence, attentiveness, innovation and passion. Behind the service is an extensive training programme inspired by world-class hospitality standards, including principles drawn from Michelin-starred dining. Crew members are equipped with technical expertise, as well as the skills to anticipate customer needs and deliver meaningful moments of care throughout the journey.

Onboard, carefully choreographed service flows ensure a seamless and personalised experience, from the thoughtfully timed meal service and cabin lighting transitions to proactive comfort checks and authentic customer interactions.

3. Emirates excels with its food and beverage offering

Dining remains one of the most memorable elements of the Emirates experience. Across every cabin class, global culinary influences are combined with destination-inspired flavours. Freshly prepared multi-course meals are complemented by a curated selection of beverages - including soft drinks, juices, tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages. Children’s meals are offered on most routes, while complimentary organic baby food, milk formula and baby bottles are available for infants.

Emirates regularly introduces new treats and seasonal specialities for customers, from complimentary popcorn and warm cookies to premium ice cream on selected routes, as well as dedicated meals that reflect global celebrations from Christmas to Eid to Diwali to Lunar New Year. Customers can also choose from a wide range of special meals catering to dietary, medical and cultural requirements, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and low-sodium options.

Emirates Premium Economy offers an elevated dining experience with meals presented on Royal Doulton china with stainless-steel cutlery and linen tablecloths. Customers appreciate the generous portions, fresh seasonal ingredients and thoughtfully selected wines, beers, spirits, as well as the exclusive Chandon sparkling wine.

In Business Class, customers enjoy gourmet multi-course menus inspired by regional cuisines, paired with an extensive selection of premium wines, spirits and complimentary champagne. Business Class customers can even experience chef-crafted dishes expertly paired with Moët & Chandon champagnes while inflight, underscoring Emirates’ continued efforts to bring fine gastronomy to cruising altitude.

Emirates First Class offers one of the most sophisticated dining experiences available in the sky. Through its signature dine-on-demand service, customers can enjoy à la carte meals whenever they choose, accompanied by premium seasonal ingredients and unlimited caviar. Gourmet vegan dishes are available on selected routes, alongside a dedicated Movie Snacks Menu featuring favourites such as Wagyu sliders, lobster rolls, popcorn and edamame.

The airline’s beverage programme is equally distinguished. Emirates remains the only airline in the world to serve Dom Pérignon in First Class across its global network. First Class customers can explore a carefully curated collection of premium spirits and exceptional wines sourced from some of the world’s most prestigious wine regions.

4. Emirates provides world-leading entertainment with ice

For many travellers, Emirates’ award-winning ice entertainment system has become synonymous with the airline itself. Offering more than 6,500 channels of content, ice provides unparalleled choice across film, television, music, podcasts, live sport and educational content. Widely recognised as one of the most comprehensive entertainment platforms in aviation, ice features nearly 3,000 movies, 3,000 music albums, more than 600 television channels and box sets, over 200 documentaries, and a vast selection of children’s programming.

Through partnerships with leading platforms including HBO Max, Disney+, Paramount+, Discovery+, BBC, Bloomberg Originals, Shahid and Spotify, customers can access an unrivalled library spanning blockbuster films, critically acclaimed television series, documentaries and exclusive content. ice also features podcasts, language-learning programmes, interactive games and live sports and news channels.

5. Emirates Wi-Fi impressing customers globally

Connectivity has become an essential part of the modern travel experience, and Emirates is setting a new industry standard through its partnership with Starlink. The next-generation inflight connectivity programme is delivering ultra-fast, low-latency internet that enables passengers to stream, work, browse and stay connected with the same ease as on the ground.

Announced in November 2025, the agreement will see Starlink installed across Emirates’ entire in-service fleet, with completion expected by mid-2027. The complimentary service provides customers with high-speed connectivity in the sky, reinforcing the airline’s long-standing commitment to innovation and customer convenience.

Emirates has accelerated the rollout programme, with 33 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft already equipped with Starlink technology and the first 3 Airbus A380’s now entering service with the system onboard. Hundreds of thousands of customers have already experienced Starlink-enabled flights, enjoying seamless streaming, gaming, video calls, remote working and social media access throughout their journey.

APEX Best™ in Airline Awards

APEX leverages its partnership with TripIt® from Concur®, the world’s most used travel-organizing app, to gather anonymous passenger feedback based on neutral, third-party passenger feedback and insights for the honours. For the 2026 Awards, over one million flights were rated by passengers across more than 600 airlines from around the world using a five-star scale.

As part of its commitment to environmental stewardship, Emirates has invested more than AED 50 million in transitioning to a closed-loop manufacturing model for inflight dining serviceware. Damaged and unserviceable Economy Class trays, casseroles, snack dishes and bowls are collected after flights, cleaned, inspected and processed at a specialist facility in Dubai, where they are transformed into new meal service items containing up to 25% recycled material. These products are then returned to Emirates Flight Catering and reintroduced into service onboard thousands of flights. With millions of trays, bowls and dishes used every year across Emirates' global network, the programme supports circular economy principles, significantly reducing plastic waste sent to landfill while lowering transport emissions through local recycling and manufacturing.

The programme is delivered in partnership with deSter FZE UAE, a leading aviation serviceware provider and expert in closed-loop manufacturing. deSter is a member of the CE100 network, which includes some of the world's leading circular economy organisations, and has been awarded the ‘Gold’ Sustainability rating from Ecovadis – a globally recognised certification for sustainable practices. The facility also incorporates sustainable design principles, including solar power, efficient water management and waste minimisation practices.

Environmental efforts across the Emirates inflight experience

100 Episodes of David Attenborough on ice

Marking Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday and a century of extraordinary achievements in bringing the natural world to audiences around the globe, Emirates ice is hosting 100 episodes from the Attenborough Collection throughout June and July. The acclaimed BBC Earth titles, all narrated by Sir David, invite customers on remarkable journeys across some of the planet's most spectacular landscapes and ecosystems.

Emirates children's toys and bags

The latest Emirates children's collection includes bags and plush toys made with a minimum of 50% recycled content, incorporating recycled post-consumer polyester. Children's magazines and product tags are produced using paper sourced from responsibly managed forests where feasible. Emirates has also removed unnecessary plastic wrapping from children's bags and blankets, helping reduce single-use plastic onboard.

First Class Bedding Bags

Plastic packaging has been removed from the wrapping of First Class mattress toppers, duvets and blankets and replaced with premium reusable bags made from recycled polyester material.

Headset packaging

Headset packaging used across Business Class, Premium Economy, Economy Class and Emirates' children's headphones is now made from 100% recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE).

First and Business Class amenity kit bags

Emirates continues to incorporate more responsible materials across its luxury cabin amenity kits. First Class kit bags and Business Class kit bags feature fabrics containing recycled content. Foldaway combs and brushes, case covers of mirrors in the women's Business Class kits and selected kit accessories have also been redesigned using materials with recycled content, while dental kit packaging is made from kraft paper.

Premium Economy and Economy Class amenity kit bags

The reusable amenity kits offered in Premium Economy and Economy Class were launched in partnership with United for Wildlife, to highlight the most endangered species on the planet; incorporate bio-based materials, including cactus-based alternatives, helping reduce reliance on fossil-based plastics. Kit contents including socks and eyeshades are made from 100% recycled post-consumer polyester (rPET). Outer designs are printed using non-toxic soy-based inks, and accompanying story cards are made from kraft paper sourced from responsibly managed forests.

Premium Economy and Economy Class fleece blankets

Premium Economy and Economy Class fleece blankets are made from recycled polyester fleece, with each blanket incorporating material equivalent to approximately 28 recycled plastic bottles.

First and Business Class loungewear, slippers and eye masks

The loungewear, slippers and eye masks offered in First and Business Class are designed using lightweight, breathable modal fabric sourced from certified botanic fibres.

VOYA wellbeing products

The VOYA skincare range featured in First and Business Class harnesses the nourishing properties of organic seaweed sustainably harvested by hand from the west coast of Ireland.

Paper straws

Plastic straws have been phased out across the onboard experience and replaced with certified paper alternatives.

Less onboard plastic and packaging

Emirates works closely with suppliers to introduce alternative packaging solutions wherever possible. Plastic carrier bags used for inflight duty-free purchases have been replaced with paper bags, while packaging used for shower spa amenities incorporates stone paper.

Onboard recycling

Existing onboard initiatives include the segregation of glass and plastic bottles on flights arriving into Dubai, where operationally feasible, supporting more effective sorting and recycling through Emirates Flight Catering and local waste management partners.

First Class menus

Emirates' First Class menus are printed on paper sourced from responsibly managed forests, reinforcing the airline's commitment to sustainable sourcing. Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class menus also transitioned to the same responsibly sourced paper.

Applied in-house by Emirates Engineering, the decal stretches from the iconic tail fin flag to the middle of the fuselage and features four first-team players: Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard and Viktor Gyökeres. The Arsenal Crest is proudly emblazoned above glistening gold ‘Champions’ lettering, celebrating the efforts of the entire squad.

2026 marks a major milestone for Emirates and Arsenal, as they celebrate 20 years of partnership. Emirates serves as Official Airline partner, and holds naming rights to Arsenal’s home ground, Emirates Stadium in North London. The Fly Better logo is also featured prominently on the front of the Men’s, Women’s and Academy team shirts, marking the longest-running front-of-shirt sponsorship in Premier League history.

This new livery is yet another accolade to add to Arsenal’s trophy cabinet, after a remarkable season, which saw the club crowned champions of the Premier League last week. Today, the Arsenal and Emirates A380 will take to the skies for its victory lap, heading to London Heathrow as EK001. Planespotters and football fans alike can catch a glimpse of the airline’s newest livery, which pays homage to Emirates’ longstanding commitment to the game, the club and the supporters.  

Eid flavours onboard Emirates

Across all cabin classes on selected flights, Emirates customers can enjoy a specially curated Eid menu inspired by regional cuisines and traditional flavours. In First Class, customers can savour dishes such as lamb machbous, prawn morbian, lamb madfoon, and beef foga braised in Emirati spices. Desserts include pistachio and chocolate nammoura cake, white chocolate and rahash mousse cake, and warm walnut baklawa cake.

In Business Class and Premium Economy, festive dishes include lamb chermoula, grilled chicken, and more, alongside indulgent desserts inspired by Middle Eastern flavours. In Economy Class, customers can look forward to comforting favourites including chicken kabsa, lamb ouzi, daoud basha, and beef sajiyeh, followed by desserts such as pistachio cake and coffee cake.

As part of the Eid celebrations, Emirates will also offer special edible giveaways onboard. First Class customers will receive orange blondie and date cheesecake, while customers in Business Class and Premium Economy will be served orange cake with rose and pistachio, alongside date and walnut cake.

Customers travelling onboard the iconic Emirates A380 will also be offered a selection of sweet treats including assorted baklawa, pistachio maamoul, pomegranate cheesecake, sesame brownie, and loomi and strawberry profiterole throughout the celebration period. As a gesture of Emirati hospitality, traditional Emirati coffee and dates will also be offered in the onboard lounge.

Emirates Lounges in Jeddah and Cairo serve Eid favourites

In Emirates lounges in Jeddah and Cairo from 27 to 29 May, customers can continue the celebrations with a selection of regional dishes and desserts. In Cairo, customers can enjoy Egyptian salad, and oriental pastries including basbousa, baqlawa, and kunafa. In Jeddah, festive offerings include lamb mandi, Saudi salad, cheese kunafa, and date smoothie.

Entertainment for Eid on Emirates ice

Throughout Eid Al Adha, Emirates customers can explore up to 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment on ice, including favourites from MBC Shahid, over 70 Arabic films such as 6 Ayyam, Daye, and BAAB by Emirati director Nayla Al Khaja, as well as more than 70 Arabic TV channels and popular Turkish series dubbed in Arabic. Customers can also access Hollywood movies with Arabic subtitles, Arabic classics and plays, over 500 channels of Arabic music, podcasts and audiobooks, and The Holy Qur’an onboard.

The storyline follows an Emirates Captain and his family, who choose to refurbish the Boeing 777 aircraft instead of their home on a gameshow called ‘Do It Yourself Dubai’. The Captain is thrilled as the scene cuts away to Emirates Engineering facility, where a team of engineers are on hand to undertake the retrofit work – the biggest ‘DIY’ project ever seen in aviation.

From May 2026, the video will be in full flight across the world, reminding customers that Emirates provides an unrivalled travel experience onboard with sleek and luxurious interiors, comfortable seats, award-winning inflight entertainment, regionally inspired cuisine and acclaimed beverages, and world class cabin crew.

Customers can experience the exact aircraft shown in the video for themselves - the retrofitted 777-300ER or retrofitted 777-200LR – now flying to and from Dubai across 40 destinations, with 10 more to follow soon. The 40 destinations are Athens, Barcelona, Basra, Beijing, Beirut, Bogotá, Boston, Brussels, Cape Town, Chicago, Colombo, Dallas/Fort Worth, Dammam, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Kochi, Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait City, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Malé, Manama, Melbourne, Mexico City, Miami, Mumbai, Newark, Phuket, Riyadh, Seattle, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tokyo and Vienna. The next 10 destinations are Addis Ababa, Brisbane, Karachi, Milan, Mauritius, Narita, Singapore, Taipei, Tehran and Ho Chi Minh City.

Top 10 tips customers should know about Emirates’ retrofit project

1. Emirates retrofit programme is essentially a full cabin makeover inside the aircraft – where everything is removed and brand-new designs and seating are installed with Emirates’ customer comfort in mind. We’re talking next-generation seating, sleek new washrooms, more storage, better inflight connectivity and entertainment, and a luxurious aesthetic that ensures an elegant flight.

2. As part of the retrofit, Emirates is installing its new Premium Economy cabin class on every aircraft. A luxury experience that’s already won awards, Premium Economy sets a new benchmark for an elevated travel with spacious seats that recline, integrated leg and footrests, adjustable headrests, in seat charging, a side table, a 13.3-inch entertainment screen and generous dining served on linen tablecloths. Customers can also enjoy a curated selection of premium beverages, including red and white wines, as well as exclusive Chandon sparkling wine.

3. During the retrofit, Emirates is using the opportunity to install Starlink Wi-Fi across its entire fleet. That means complimentary, ultra-fast Wi-Fi for everyone, even at 40,000 feet. Customers will be able to stream content, game, make calls, work, and browse social media on their personal devices.

4. In the latest phase of the retrofit starting in October 2026, Emirates will be installing 4K OLED HDR10+ display screens installed on seatbacks of 60 A380s and 51 Boeing 777s. This means more vivid colours and rich, multi-dimensional sound, whether using Emirates' premium headsets or your own wireless devices via Bluetooth.

5. Emirates Economy Class customers will benefit from the introduction of new, lightweight Safran Z400 seats, specifically designed for comfort and convenience – with the installation of this new model beginning in October 2026. This includes an adjustable eight-way headrest for neck and head support, in addition to upgraded in-seat charging capabilities.

6. Emirates Business Class continues to be upgraded with new sophisticated seating, inspired by the luxurious leather S Lounge seats by Safran, already featured on the airline's A350 fleet. Each seat creates a more private space and offers wireless charging integrated into the side cocktail table and customisable in-seat lighting. Customers will have more storage, minibar amenities, and multiple charging options including USB-C and wireless ports.

7. Emirates First Class, which has been described as a ‘hotel room in the sky, offers First Class customers spacious, private suites above the clouds. Innovative technologies in Emirates First Class suites include electronically controlled privacy doors, with personal temperature controls and adjustable mood lighting. The retrofit to First Class also includes the A380 Onboard shower and sofas in the A380 Onboard Lounge. As part of the latest enhancements, Emirates is also introducing the latest generation of Bowers & Wilkins First Class headphones, the E2, delivering significantly improved noise cancellation for an even more immersive inflight experience.

8. To date, Emirates has completed 94 aircraft makeovers. That’s 125 more for its talented teams to roll out!

9. Emirates retrofit initiative is a truly a ‘DIY Dubai’ project. Every single aircraft is being refurbished by Emirates own Engineering team. It takes 18 days, with engineers working around the clock to retrofit one Boeing 777 aircraft, and even more for the ‘double decker’ A380, which takes 22 days.

About the new Emirates video

With the humorous idea for a game show and ‘DIY Dubai’ developed in-house at Emirates, the production was filmed in a studio in Prague and onboard real aircraft in Emirates’ hub of Dubai. A cast of actors were hired to represent Emirates’ diverse teams, and the video was produced by Framestore Pictures in London with direction from William Bartlett and Simon Willows.

The Emirates A380 was one of the first commercial aircraft in the world to offer internet to its customers, with first generation systems offering a total aircraft bandwidth of less than 1 Mbps.  Emirates’ installation of three Starlink antennas on each A380 will improve the Wi-Fi available onboard a thousand-fold - offering a ‘better than at home’ connectivity experience for customers, while flying at 40,000 feet.

The first Emirates A380 aircraft equipped with Starlink made its return to Dubai this week, after its installation and certification was accomplished in Newquay, UK. With more A380s scheduled for accelerated installation throughout 2026, Emirates customers will soon enjoy a transformative leap in onboard connectivity with the ability to stream, game, browse, and work throughout their journey on personal devices. The service will be complimentary for all customers, across all cabins, with easy sign up and access. Future enhancements will include Live TV streaming over Starlink, initially on personal devices and later integrated into seatback screens.

From its celebrated Onboard Lounge to its signature First Class Shower Spa, the Emirates A380 has consistently redefined long-haul travel, beloved by customers from all corners of the globe. With the addition of Starlink’s seamless connectivity across all cabin classes, the Emirates A380 experience evolves once more, delivering a fully connected journey in the sky.

A technical first for the world’s largest passenger aircraft

As the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the A380 presents unique engineering challenges and opportunities. This industry-first Starlink configuration is designed to meet the demands of the A380’s ‘double-decker’ layout and high passenger capacity and is capable of delivering more than 2 Gbps of total aircraft bandwidth across the cabin.

Compared with the Emirates Boeing 777, the Emirates A380 features additional wireless access points and a third antenna to deliver an enhanced connectivity experience for its higher passenger capacity. Optimised inter‑deck integration supports a seamless Wi‑Fi experience, with customers able to enjoy high speeds depending on usage and device capability.

Accelerated rollout across an industry-leading fleet

Starlink installations will soon begin at Emirates Engineering facilities in Dubai to accelerate deployment across the fleet. Emirates is committed to bringing the best possible connectivity to its entire fleet at the earliest opportunity, with 25 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft already equipped with Starlink and the first A380 now joining service.

So far, more than 650,000 Emirates customers have already flown on Starlink‑equipped flights, experiencing the benefits of next‑generation onboard connectivity firsthand.                                       

Emirates continuous investment into elevating customer experience

The introduction of Starlink on the A380 builds on Emirates’ ongoing investment into redefining the customer journey, including one of the most ambitious retrofit programmes in aviation history. To date, 93 Emirates aircraft have been fully refurbished, featuring the installation of the widely acclaimed Premium Economy cabins, an enhanced Business Class, refreshed First Class suites, upgraded interiors and finishes in Economy Class and throughout all aspects of the cabin, and expanded and upgraded inflight systems that can offer more than 6,500 channels of entertainment.

To complement the significant upgrades across all hardware, Emirates also continues to invest in its training programmes and facilities that are instrumental to customer experience. In mid-2025, Emirates opened an US$ 8 million facility - ‘Centre of Hospitality Excellence’ to train its 25,000 cabin crew in the art of hospitality onboard – bringing together both the tangible and intangible elements of an outstanding travel experience.

After the initial Emirates Travel Rehearsals in Dubai resulted in positive feedback from families, schools and autism organisations; the Emirates Office of Accessibility & Inclusion formulated the travel rehearsal into an official programme, to be rolled out across its global network.

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

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.

Sami Aqil Abdullah, Senior Vice President, Emirates Airport Services Outstation & Business Support, commented;

‘The Emirates Travel Rehearsal programme has been a resounding success across 6 continents, with impressive collaboration and drive shown by all stakeholders, from our own Emirates teams to our airport partners, and the parents and teachers who trusted us to support their children. We will continue to amplify this success with more locations, more teams involved, and more families positively impacted and empowered to fly with confidence.’

What is an Emirates Travel Rehearsal?

As the world’s first autism certified airline, Emirates is aware that for many families, international air travel is a highly challenging experience, or something to be avoided completely due to the high level of sensory stimuli that is involved. A survey on AutismTravel.com revealed that 78% of families are hesitant to travel or visit new locations for these reasons. For many people with autism, planning and predictability is critical – and an airport represents a world of unknown processes and stimuli.

Emirates Travel Rehearsals are a purposeful community collaboration and learning exercise arranged by Emirates, with the support of international airport teams, Border Control and Security teams, and schools and centres for autism based all around the world. The travel rehearsals empower neurodivergent people to participate in a real-time journey through the airport, practicing the actions of checking in, dropping baggage, going through immigration and security, and experiencing the hustle and bustle of retail and dining areas. While familiarising themselves with the airport, participants are also issued mock boarding passes and given the chance to meet the many uniformed staff encountered along the way. In some airports, Emirates’ teams managed to arrange access to real aircraft for the children and young adults.

Positive feedback from participants

Now on an international level - parents, therapists, teachers, young adults and children involved in the travel rehearsals so far have reported to Emirates that the experience has been invaluable in helping them have a safe and successful flight, by offering the comfort of preparation and familiarity, as well as trained staff to support.

“The relief experienced when institutions like Emirates have considered children with neurological differences in their operational strategies! To know a parent is welcomed with massive support during travels is such a beautiful feeling. It’s like a road to freedom for my child.” From an Autism Center founder and parent, Accra.

“Now I am not afraid anymore! Maybe we can fly again next year. Before it was terrible. But now I can leave my fears somewhere else.” From Noah in Dusseldorf, 13 years old.

“A real highlight of the day was watching the Emirates A350 arrive on stand, with the Captains waving to the children - a moment that sparked huge excitement. By the end of the evening, smiles were everywhere, and the atmosphere was filled with pride and joy. The children headed home with their bags they had “checked in,” filled with Emirates goodies, making the experience even more memorable. ​It was an incredibly rewarding day, and we’re grateful to everyone who took part and supported this.”  From an Autism Group Leader, Edinburgh.

“It is heartwarming to see and feel that in this busy world, there is still time taken to think of those who need just a little extra care. Thanks to this experience, our child can finally form a real picture of what to expect from an air‑travel holiday, because with explanations alone, he simply cannot imagine it. We found it incredibly fun and very helpful to experience this together with our son! Thank you!” From a Parent in Brussels.

“Interesting! I was allowed to control the baggage belt. Everything was great. Especially the picnic room (lounge), the weapon control (security), the aircraft, just everything!” From Oskar in Dusseldorf, 7 years old.

“Thank you for yesterday’s experience. From what participants have said, I think it couldn’t have been better, Mario is still saying that it was the best day of his life.” Parent from Fundación Friends, Barcelona.

“The effort that Emirates put into creating more awareness, understanding, and sensitivity towards people with an invisible disability deserves the highest appreciation. Your approach shows insight, respect, and genuine commitment, making the world a better place and the lives of people with disabilities more liveable. It is inspiring to see how much care and attention you put into this. Hopefully, other airlines will follow your example, and awareness for people with disabilities will continue to grow. Thank you very much for this wonderful experience.” From an Autism Group leader in Brussels.

“Unusual, I have never been to an airport. Very strange bus, it had doors on both sides. Cockpit was very cool! I was surprised to receive a present, I was very happy! Everything was unusual but fine and I could understand everything what was explained.” From Erik in Dusseldorf, 19 years old.

‘I was buzzing with excitement as the day approached with my students. Emirates’ team were incredibly welcoming and supportive, going above and beyond to make our travel experience both exciting and comfortable. From sensory-friendly spaces to tailored support, every detail was thoughtful. We had so much fun with the staff they truly understood us and were thrilled to have us. Thanks for making it a memorable day’. From a Class Teacher in Accra.

“The experience you’ve given us is invaluable. We continue to be overwhelmed by the welcome we received. We loved all the details and preparation of the tickets at check-in, controls, boarding, and meeting the crew. We consider it a very significant step forward. The boys and girls came back very happy and after a week they are still remembering and talking about the visit. The feedback from families has also been very positive.” Representative from the Fundación Aucavi, Madrid.

“Thank you can feel so light at times like these. To think of our children with autism was such an honor for families. You unpacked travel aspirations they have, their desired destinations. One parent said they never ever asked their son where he would like to visit thinking he knows no destinations.” Representative from the Regional Development Office for Autism, South Africa

“Thank you, Emirates. It helped us a lot that we could go through the check-in process all the way to boarding the plane (the problem for us was/is the transportation on the passenger bridge, but now we know that it’ll be fine for our child too). Special thanks for your hospitality, and for the patience of Emirates staff. Our little boy had a great desire to board a plane, we returned home enriched with positive experiences. He also went to school today in the hat he received.” Parent from Hungary

“I haven’t travelled in ten years out of fear for my child. After this experience, I feel more confident and hope to plan a trip with him.” Parent from Angola

“A million thanks for organizing, your team was incredibly professional and kind. My gratitude to the crew member who showed Nore around, it made his day! He was also over the moon with the goodie bag he received, his smile got bigger and bigger as we reached home. You really did an amazing job when he finished his day by raising his arms and shouted: “I love being an autist”!” Parent of Nore from Oslo.

“It was more than an airport experience. It was a gesture of respect, care, and recognition of everyone’s right to belonging, to travel, and to live fully. Each smile, each achievement, and each emotional glance from our little ones and their families revealed the true meaning of inclusion: creating safe, welcoming, and accessible spaces for everyone.” Doctor from Kuzola Mona Children Development Centre, Angola.

“Wow what an experience you provided our students on Friday. As a teacher of students with specialist needs for over 20 years this was one of the best things I have attended. Everyone commented on the care and attention from the whole Emirates team and the ground crew at Christchurch airport. We now have families who feel confident to give travel a go! Emirates aircraft model now has a new home, at the school reception.” Teacher from Pītau-Allenvale School, Christchurch.

Emirates’ continuous support for neurodiverse customers

Emirates will continue to arrange Travel Rehearsals across its global network throughout 2026, inviting more schools and centres to participate.

Emirates’ range of sensory products and fidget toys for customers of all ages continue to be available onboard in all cabin classes, for passengers who are neurodiverse, anyone who is struggling onboard or is a nervous traveller.

Emirates Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on Emirates.com has been designed to contain all the information needed for accessible and inclusive travel, featuring accessibility-friendly navigation that allows customers to find information easily and explore the many ways that Emirates can provide travel assistance and support. Aiming to reduce anxiety before travelling, customers can choose to view and explore sections by disability, including 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 Prepare for travel with the autism-friendly guide and Explore Dubai Airport (DXB) Map and Sensory guides.

Top tips to ‘Tap, earn, and win’ with Skywards Everyday 

• Spend at more than 500 popular brands like Hind Aloud, La Marquise Jewellery, Organic Foods & Café Supermarket, Al Jaber Optical, Borders, BinSina Pharmacy and Boksha with the Skywards Everyday app and earn 25% bonus Miles during Ramadan.
• For every spend using a saved payment card on the Skywards Everyday app during Ramadan, members will automatically enter a draw for a chance to win 100,000 Miles each, with 10 winners selected.
• Skywards members earn 1 Mile for every AED 3 spent on high street shopping, leisure and entertainment, luxury shopping, beauty and wellness, services, and dining and 1 Mile for every AED 5 spent on groceries and pharmacy purchases.
• New to Skywards Everyday? Earn 4x Miles on your first transaction when paying with a saved Visa Card during Ramadan.
• Members can earn even more Miles when using an Emirates Skywards Credit Card.
• Members living outside the UAE can also download the Skywards Everyday app and earn Miles when visiting the country.

Savvy ways to shop online, earn and win with Skywards Miles Mall UAE

• Earn 25% bonus Miles on all spends made at participating brands on Skywards Miles Mall UAE, including Amazon.ae, Ounass, Deliveroo, Next, iherb and more.
• For every AED 100 spent on Skywards Miles Mall UAE, members will automatically enter a draw for a chance to win 100,000 Miles each, with 10 winners will be selected.
• New to Skywards Miles Mall? Earn an additional 2,000 bonus Miles on your first transaction of a minimum AED184 when paying with a Visa Card.
• Earn even more Miles on Skywards Miles Mall when paying with any Emirates Skywards Credit Card. 

A world-class loyalty programme

Crowned ‘Best Global Airline Loyalty Program’ at the International Loyalty Awards 2025 – Emirates Skywards continues to offer its members unmatched rewards and benefits. With more than 37 million members worldwide, Emirates Skywards offers four tiers of membership: Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with each tier earning exclusive privileges.

Members can earn Miles with partners ranging from airlines, hotels and car rentals to financial, leisure and lifestyle brands. Skywards Miles can be spent on an extensive range of rewards, including flight tickets with Emirates and partner airlines, flight upgrades, hotel stays, retail shopping and money-can’t-buy experiences.

For more information, visit emirates.com/skywards.

More information about Ramadan with Emirates

Emirates Iftar boxes at Boarding Gates

For the comfort of all fasting customers, complimentary iftar boxes to help break the fast containing water, laban, a banana, and dates are distributed at select Emirates Boarding Gates during iftar time.

Emirates Ramadan meal boxes and prayer mats onboard

For the month of Ramadan, customers breaking their fast across all cabin classes to select destinations will be offered nutritionally balanced Ramadan meal boxes. Iftar meals are served in bespoke boxes designed by Emirates to represent the geometric design of traditional Islamic art. The meal boxes include traditional dates, light bites of hummus, moutabel or muhammara with Arabic bread, a hearty chicken mossakan sandwich or herbed chicken sandwich, sweet treats of chocolate almonds, baklawa pistachio mamoul or baklawa pine seed cashew, and laban. Emirates’ Ramadan boxes are served in addition to the regular hot meal service.

To ensure the highest levels of accuracy for fasting Muslim passengers, Emirates uses a unique tool to calculate the correct timings for imsak (the time to commence fasting) and iftar while inflight, based on the times of the sunrise and sunset of the location the flight is passing by using the aircraft’s longitude, latitude, and altitude. When the sun sets, passengers will be officially informed of the iftar time by the captain.

Emirates also has special keepsake prayer mats on all flights, which are available by request to Cabin Crew.

Ramadan refreshments in the lounges

Across the 7 Emirates Lounges in Dubai International Airport (DXB), an array of Arabic sweets, dates and coffee will be offered during Ramadan. Traditional dishes available in First and Business Class lounges will include a selection of hot and cold Arabic mezze, lentil soup, Arabic mixed grill with tahina, lamb kabsa, chicken machboos with cucumber yoghurt sauce, lamb shanks ouzi with hashweh rice and dakous, followed by desserts of pistachio kunafa, kathayef cream, basbousa saffron, kitta cheesecake, cheese kunafa, walnut kathayef, homemade Arabic coffee and dates ice cream or baklawa ice cream, a host of traditional Arabic pastries, and classic drinks of jallab and laban. Emirates Lounges in Cairo and Jeddah will also serve an array of delicious Ramadan dishes.

Emirates Lounges have dedicated prayer rooms and ablution facilities to ensure a peaceful environment for worship. 

Ramadan content and popular series on ice

For the duration of the Holy Month, Emirates ice will feature special religious content including Kheir Qodwa, Qalb Al Mo'men, Wa Yatoub Allah Alaykom, Al Huqooq Al Sharaeya, and Nafhat in Arabic. In Urdu, ice will feature Ramadan Mah e Rehmat and Hoshyarian. The Holy Qur’an is also available on ice.

Popular series and dramas will be available such as Ma Taraho Laysa Kama Yabdo, Febrayer Al Aswad and Al Mtwassf as well as Hazza. Amongst more than 6500 channels of on demand entertainment on ice, there are up to 450 channels of movies and TV in the Arabic language, as well as 400 channels of Arabic music and podcasts.

Emirates’ new Bukhoor Scents for Ramadan

To enhance the Ramadan spirit at home and set the mood, Emirates has launched a new range of Bukhoor scents perfect for the season. The new home fragrances include the bestselling Oud Rose with notes of raspberry, rose, geranium, oud, patchouli and vanilla, as well as new additions Dreamy Nights featuring sweet green citrus, sweet balsam, jasmine, amber, cedar and spicy vanilla, and finally Sacred Ember with notes of saffron, lavender, bergamot, musk, tobacco and cedar. Ideal for Ramadan gifting, each 70g pot of Bukhoor is available for USD 52 in the Emirates Official Store, in an elegant white and gold design featuring Emirates’ signature Ghaf tree motif.

Supporting Emirates customers on Umrah

For Umrah groups travelling to Jeddah and Medina during the Holy Month, Ramadan boxes will be served inflight. Customers are also entitled to check in one bottle of ‘ZAMZAM’ - Islamic holy water containing up to 5 litres per person at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and various airports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Ramadan Awareness Training for Emirates staff

Emirates provides Ramadan awareness training for its cabin crew and on ground teams in Dubai and across its network. Special training resources have been provided to ensure operational teams are aware of the Holy Month, understand the cultural significance and nuances of this time and recognise specific practices that Muslims engage in, so they are prepared to provide the highest levels of service to customers throughout their travel experience.

Celebrating love in the sky

Every customer flying in Economy and Premium Economy Class on 14 February will receive a mini gift box with a raspberry chocolate brownie, while soft red mood lighting illuminates the aircraft. First and Business Class customers will also be gifted indulgent chocolate brownies and mini raspberry ganache tarts adorned with hearts. The A380 Onboard Lounge will be serving an array of sweet treats, from lemon and raspberry cupcakes to profiteroles and mini tarts.

On Valentine’s Day, Emirates First Class customers will be welcomed onboard with a glass of Dom Pérignon Rosé 2009 - an exceptional and rare vintage exclusive to Emirates. This cuvée, first produced in 1959, is a tribute to pinot noir showcasing aromas of raspberry and cherry, touches of cassis and fig, rose, orange oil, saffron, and notes of gingerbread and liquorice.

Business Class customers will be offered Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial, the house’s most expressive rosé Champagne, celebrated for its vibrant fruit profile. On the palate, the wine reveals flavours of wild strawberry, raspberry, and red cherry, lifted by subtle floral notes and a hint of spice.

Love in the Lounges

In the Emirates Lounges in Dubai from 13-15 February, after delicious à la carte and buffet appetisers and main courses, First Class customers can indulge in crafted desserts, including raspberry vanilla cake, pistachio strawberry cake, and red velvet cake, alongside an array of mocktails and cocktails such as Love Potion and Whispered Hearts. Moët & Chandon rosé Champagne is elegantly paired with canapés of marinated lobster en feuilleté and truffle cream éclat.

Business Class customers can treat themselves to red berries crunchy cake, strawberry and pistachio tart, and raspberry choux, or visit the dedicated old-fashioned ice cream cart to enjoy homemade strawberry cheesecake ice cream or raspberry and rose sorbet.

Across Emirates Lounges worldwide, customers will be greeted with Valentine’s-themed dishes and drinks, from heart-shaped ravioli in Rome to Valentine’s cupcakes in Cairo and chocolate-dipped strawberries in Sri Lanka.

Spotlight on Love with Emirates ice

For romantic relaxation, customers can browse Emirates ice, with more than 100 romantic comedies and dramas, including a dedicated ‘Love Stories’ movie folder with new releases like Regretting You, Workmates, Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy and all-time classics like 10 Things I Hate About You, The Notebook, Notting Hill and the entire Bridget Jones movie collection. In the TV section, there is a dedicated ‘Period Dramas’ folder with timeless classics like Sense & Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice and Sanditon. If you are looking for sweet romantic comedies, there are KDramas like Guardian: The Lonely & Great God, Lovely Runner and What's Wrong with Secretary Kim. Customers can also enjoy a selection of love songs in playlists like Spotify’s Valentine’s Day Love Mixtape or Emirates’ Romantic Moments in ice playlists.

To launch this new feature on app and celebrating greater flexibility for members, Emirates Skywards members in the UAE will also benefit from a special launch offer, giving 50% off Miles converted into cashback until the 28 February 2026.

Skywards members using the Skywards Everyday app can earn and convert Miles at more than 500 partner brands across a wide range of categories, including dining, shopping, beauty and wellness, groceries and services with a host of well-known brands from Costa Coffee, Salt, Al Jaber Optical, Swarovski, NARS, Cole Haan, Tory Burch, Borders, Barry’s, BinSina Pharmacy, Lacoste and many more.

Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, said: 

“We’re pleased to announce even more flexibility for our members across the UAE, as the Skywards Everyday app now gives them the option to convert Miles into cashback. Our members can earn and spend on-the-go across 500 of the UAE’s favourite brands and then get rewarded with Miles or cashback on their card. It’s another added value on everyday activities that our members appreciate.”

How to start earning and converting Miles on the go

1. Download the Skywards Everyday app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store and log in using Emirates Skywards membership details.
2. Save up to five Visa or Mastercard debit or credit cards.
3. If you choose to earn Miles, the process stays the same and Miles are added to your account automatically.
4. If you choose to convert Miles, you will receive a prompt on the app to either earn Miles or convert them into cashback.

Skywards members earn 1 Mile for every AED 3 spent on high street shopping, leisure and entertainment, luxury shopping, beauty and wellness, services, and dining and 1 Mile for every AED 5 spent on groceries and pharmacy purchases. Members can earn even more Miles when using an Emirates Skywards Credit Card. Members living outside the UAE can also download the Skywards Everyday app and earn Miles when visiting the country.

A world-class loyalty programme

Crowned ‘Best Global Airline Loyalty Program’ at the International Loyalty Awards 2025 – Emirates Skywards continues to offer its members unmatched rewards and benefits. With more than 37 million members worldwide, Emirates Skywards offers four tiers of membership: Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with each tier earning exclusive privileges.

Members can earn Miles with partners ranging from airlines, hotels and car rentals to financial, leisure and lifestyle brands. Skywards Miles can be spent on an extensive range of rewards, including flight tickets with Emirates and partner airlines, flight upgrades, hotel stays, retail shopping and money-can’t-buy experiences.

For more information, visit emirates.com/skywards.

As many plan and look forward to an annual holiday, January is a peak booking time for families who fly better with Emirates. Economy travellers booked early, especially groups and families, with more than 65% of group bookings made at least 3 months ahead of departure and more than 65% of families booking at least 2 months ahead of travel. The top destinations for groups were Dubai, Jeddah, Medina, Istanbul and Rome, and the top destinations for families were Dubai, Bangkok, Jeddah, Malé and Mauritius.

In 2026, named the ‘Year of the Family’ in the UAE - Emirates notes that family booking trends align to the school holidays, with bookings for Spring and Summer break made in January, and another batch of bookings expected to be made in summer for travel later in the year.

Emirates Economy - globally renowned as best in class for families

Emirates operates one of the world’s largest long-haul networks, with Economy Class customers representing the majority of passengers who fly. Emirates has always invested heavily in the Economy experience, with clearly defined, world class standards implemented across cabin design and seating, catering and hospitality, entertainment and comfort onboard, and service and safety provided by cabin crew. The strength of Emirates Economy experience lies in the consistency and scale at which these standards are delivered across almost 500 flights daily, and the day to day examples of the fly better promise at the core of Emirates’ brand.

More than a seat

Emirates operates a widebody fleet, including Airbus A380s, A350s and Boeing 777s, meaning Economy Class customers benefit from aircraft designed for long-haul comfort rather than short-haul density. That means families experience the comfort of wider cabins and aisles, larger overhead bins for hand luggage and better cabin airflow and pressurisation. Key features of Emirates Economy experience are ergonomically designed seats with adjustable headrests, a generous seat pitch for stretching out legs, personal entertainment screens for all customers and even mood lighting designed to facilitate relaxation and rest.

On Emirates’ latest aircraft – the A350, Economy Class offers up to 259 comfortable seats in a 3-3-3 seat configuration, with each seat set to offer a 6-way adjustable headrest and larger storage space overhead. Each customer may enjoy their own 13.3 inch 4K screen to watch movies and shows on ice, powerful in-seat charging for devices, a spacious cabin with extra high ceilings and luxuriously designed washrooms with lots more room.

Many of Emirates’ aircraft have already benefitted from a $5 billion retrofit programme where next-generation seating, fully refreshed interiors, and a sleek, modern design aesthetic contribute to comfort and relaxation onboard.

Emirates also offers priority boarding for families across all international airports to give extra time for children to get settled into their seat, as well as having a policy of seating families together. Parents can book seats located next to designated bassinets for babies aged 2 years and below and weighing less than 11kg, allowing their little ones to rest comfortably throughout the flight. Parents can also bring approved car seats onboard for extra familiarity and safety.

Network and Operational Reliability

Another practical advantage of the Emirates Economy experience is network reach. Emirates serves destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Australasia, often with non-stop services that reduce journey complexity. For Economy Class passengers, this hub-and-spoke model translates into fewer connections on long intercontinental journeys, standardised onboard products across regions, world class hospitality and reduced risk of baggage mishandling.

Emirates has an outstanding record for baggage, with almost 3 million bags handled every month and a 99.9% success rate for baggage handling from its Dubai hub - placing it as the top performing airline worldwide. 99.9% of all baggage coming from Dubai or transferring through reaches its owner on time, at the correct destination. Emirates rate of ‘baggage mishandling’ which can be defined as ‘delayed, lost or misplaced baggage,’ is minimal at 1.8 in a 1000 at the Dubai hub - almost 30 times lower than some other providers.

Expertly trained, friendly cabin crew

Emirates employs cabin crew from more than 140 nationalities speaking over 70 languages, reflecting its global route network and multicultural customers. The world-class training crew receive focuses on safety, consistency and the art of hospitality across cultures.

To make travelling more comfortable for Economy Class customers, Emirates cabin crew follow clearly structured service flows that have been expertly designed to ensure customers enjoy a serene flight. This includes attentiveness to the timing of food service, cabin lighting changes and providing comfort checks for a personalised experience. Emirates cabin crew are trained under a single global hospitality standard, with dedicated procedures for families, unaccompanied minors and passengers requiring assistance. Cabin crew are trained for and accustomed to full cabins, high numbers of families, multicultural passenger profiles and empowered to provide world class hospitality throughout.

To make memories that last a lifetime, Emirates cabin crew regularly capture special moments onboard with an instant Polaroid camera, which are then presented to customers in a limited-edition Emirates photo frame as a keepsake.

Flavoursome food, generously served

Emirates provides complimentary meals and beverages on all Economy Class flights, regardless of route length. Menus are crafted to reflect regional flavours and destination-inspired preferences, with freshly prepared meals.

Emirates Economy Class catering includes generous, multi-course meals with complimentary soft drinks, juices, tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages if preferred. Emirates invests significantly more in its culinary and wine programmes in Economy Class than many airlines, to ensure its customers have a high quality experience. Emirates also regularly introduces new treats for Economy Class customers, such as complimentary popcorn on some sectors, ice-cream tubs and warm cookies on others. Emirates accommodates a range of special meals on request from vegan to vegetarian to gluten free and more. Everything offered onboard by Emirates in Economy Class is already factored into the ticket fare, reducing stress onboard for families where no extra purchases onboard are necessary. The only exception is the option to buy a Moët et Chandon Champagne bottle with a cake, if a customer wants to celebrate their journey!

Kid’s meals are available on almost all Emirates routes, across all classes - featuring tasty and nutritious meals, with lots of snackable elements, on a specially designed colourful meal tray featuring the iconic Emirates crew and pilot Little Travellers. Organic baby food, milk formula and baby bottles are available onboard for infants on a complimentary basis, if parents and guardians require them during the flight.

A world class entertainment experience with ice

Emirates’ ice inflight entertainment is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive in commercial aviation. It consistently ranks number one in global airline awards and passenger surveys. With over 6,500 channels of high quality and acclaimed content, ice is the world’s largest entertainment library in the sky. Catering to the varied tastes of millions of passengers, Emirates has nearly 3,000 movies in 50 languages, over 200 documentaries, more than 150 Arabic movies and TV series, and 300+ Bollywood and South Asian movies to name a few. With providers like HBO Max, Disney+, Paramount+, Food Network, Discovery+, BBC, Bloomberg Originals, Shahid, BBC Earth, Animal Planet, HGTV and Spotify - Emirates ice also has podcasts, language-learning courses, animations and even live sport and news at 40,000 feet.

ice also has lots of children’s movies and TV options from Disney+, CBeebies, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, including all the top characters like Paw Patrol, Bluey and Hey Duggee. Children are given special headphones to enjoy ice, designed to have a better and more comfortable fit on their head while they enjoy a huge array of child-friendly content. For gaming enthusiasts, Emirates ice even has up to 100 video games, which can be played by two players in different seats. Older kids can get into a groove with Emirates ice music selection and browse over 3,000 albums and over 600 playlists.

Emirates is currently transforming the Wi-Fi inflight with Starlink connectivity from the world’s most advanced satellite internet. Starlink delivers a consistent, ultra-fast, ground-quality service at 40,000 feet that will enable Economy Class customers to stream, enjoy online gaming, video call friends and family, work and scroll social media for free.

Complimentary comforts onboard

Economy Class customers on long haul flights globally receive complimentary amenity kits, a collectible range designed in partnership with United for Wildlife, that highlight the most endangered species on the planet. The kit bags are filled with comfort items for travellers - soft socks, eyeshades, earplugs and a dental kit.

Children also receive their own amenity kit, and babies too. Staying true to its family-friendly promise, Emirates kids’ kits highlight the excitement of Emirates’ impressive sponsorships portfolio supporting and celebrating football, tennis, basketball, sailing, golf, horse riding, cycling, cricket, rugby, music and literature. There are 12 collectible items available, in separate kits for 0-2 years, 3-6 years and 7-12 years. Kids of all ages are also offered a selection of toys and giveaways onboard, from collectible plushies and cards, to the Emirates Fly with Me magazine featuring puzzles, jokes and activities. Parents travelling with infants are offered an infant amenity kit including diapers, a bib, lotion and a changing mat so that the littlest passengers stay fresh throughout their journey.

For even more comfort onboard, Emirates aircraft bathrooms are equipped with baby changing tables. Kids in Economy Class can have pillows and blankets so they can make themselves comfortable and have a nap if required or cuddle up to watch a movie.

Extra support when needed

In Dubai Airport, Emirates provides free baby strollers for infants and younger kids, providing comfort for tired little legs. Emirates also offers a complimentary Unaccompanied Minors service to children aged 5-11 years who are travelling alone, whereby children are accompanied and supervised by specialist Emirates ground staff and cabin crew for every step of their journey. There is a dedicated Unaccompanied Minors Lounge with video games, free Wi‑Fi, comfortable sofas, and children’s bathrooms, where kids can enjoy drinks and snacks as they wait for their flight.

For customers with accessible travel requirements, Emirates has a range of support services and tools, from the new Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on Emirates.com, designed to contain all the information needed for accessible and inclusive travel, to a range of sensory products and fidget toys for customers of all ages, which cabin crew can provide onboard. Emirates is committed to setting industry standards and accessibility for people with disabilities and offers over 600 movies with ‘Closed Captions’ and 200 movies with ‘Audio Description’, for those with visual or hearing impairment.

Rewarding loyalty in Economy Class

Economy Class customers and families who prefer to fly with Emirates can benefit from joining Skywards, which offers members unmatched rewards and benefits. The programme offers four tiers of membership: Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with each tier earning exclusive privileges. Members can earn Miles with a multitude of partners and then spend them on an extensive range of rewards, including flight tickets with Emirates and partner airlines, flight upgrades, hotel stays, retail shopping and money-can’t-buy experiences. Kids aged 2-17 years old can sign up to Skywards Skysurfers loyalty programme for young travellers and earn Skywards Miles on every Emirates and flydubai flight, and pool them in a family account.

Dr Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, said;

‘The UK is one of our top markets and we’re pleased to expand our portfolio to offer millions of members a chance to redeem flight rewards on popular holiday destinations served by Jet2.com. In addition to flight tickets, members can also redeem Miles for meals, extra baggage allowance, preferred seat selection, and more – making it possible to enjoy the perfect start to a holiday, fully covered by Skywards Miles. We’re always looking for new ways to expand our offerings and provide members with the best value, choice, and rewards a loyalty programme can offer.’

Doug Turner, General Manager of 3^rd Party Supply & Distribution at Jet2.com remarked;

‘We are very pleased to be partnering with Emirates Skywards, which means we can give even more customers the opportunity to enjoy flights with our award-winning airline. This is a great way for us to continue attracting new customers and we know that our reputation for delivering the very best customer service will be a huge hit with Emirates Skywards members.’

Starting from 8,000 Skywards Miles

Starting from 8,000 Skywards Miles* including all fees & charges, members can now enjoy convenient redemption options to popular leisure destinations served by Jet2.com. The UK’s third largest airline operates from 14 airport bases, including London Gatwick from March 2026, to destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Canary Islands.

To illustrate the benefits of this new partnership: 

• Emirates Skywards members can travel with Emirates from London to Sydney via Dubai on a roundtrip Premium Economy Flex Plus ticket and earn 18,000 Miles, which can then be fully redeemed on a Jet2.com roundtrip flight ticket from London Stansted to Majorca in Spain.*

• Emirates Skywards members can also book two roundtrip flights with Emirates from Manchester to Dubai in Business Class Flex and earn 21,000 Miles, which can then be fully redeemed on a Jet2.com roundtrip flight ticket from Manchester to Salzburg in Austria* for a ski trip.

For more information or to start redeeming Skywards Miles for travel on Jet2, click here.

* The number of Miles required for flight rewards will vary based on ticket fares. Terms and conditions apply.  

Emirates Skywards has its largest membership base in the UK

Emirates Skywards has more than 37 million members worldwide, with its largest membership base in the UK. Members can earn thousands of Miles while shopping at The Bicester Village; shopping online with thousands of popular brands on Skywards Miles Mall; booking a hotel stay with Emirates Skywards Hotels, Marriott Bonvoy, and ALL Accor; and by booking a holiday package with and Emirates Holidays.

Skywards members can also earn and redeem Miles with 20 airline partners, including United, Air Canada, TAP Portugal, and Qantas on flights from the UK to destinations worldwide.

Emirates Skywards is the Best Global Airline Loyalty Program 2025

Crowned ‘Best Global Airline Loyalty Program’ at the International Loyalty Awards 2025 – Emirates Skywards continues to offer its global members unmatched rewards and benefits. The programme offers four tiers of membership: Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with each tier earning exclusive privileges.

Members can earn Miles with partners ranging from airlines, hotels and car rentals to financial, leisure and lifestyle brands. Skywards Miles can be spent on an extensive range of rewards, including flight tickets with Emirates and partner airlines, flight upgrades, hotel stays, retail shopping and money-can’t-buy experiences.

For more information, visit emirates.com/skywards.

 About Jet2.com:

Jet2.com is the UK's third largest airline by number of passengers flown and specialises in scheduled holiday flights. It is part of Jet2 plc, a Leisure Travel Group, which also comprises Jet2holidays, the UK's leading provider of ATOL protected package holidays to leisure destinations across the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and European Leisure Cities. Jet2 currently operates from 13 UK airport bases at Belfast International, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool John Lennon, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle, with operations commencing from London Gatwick in March 2026.

Emirates Vice President of Food & Beverage Design, Doxis Bekris, confirms the philosophy;

‘Our focus now is on legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, and seasonal vegetables as the heroes of the plate. These ingredients offer natural depth of flavour, texture, and nutrition without relying on ultra-processed alternatives. Instead of replicating meat, we want to draw from cuisines that have always been plant-forward like Mediterranean mezze, Levantine grain salads, Asian noodle bowls, and African stews. In our view this approach feels genuine and culturally rich.

Although there are many commendable lab-based alternatives available, real food aligns with our sustainability goals and guest expectations for health-conscious choices. It’s about transparency for our customers who want to know what they’re eating, as well as have confidence that it’s good for them and the planet. We want to shift from substitutes to a celebration of plants, where it’s not about what’s missing - but instead what is gained in authenticity, flavour, and creativity.’

Emirates serves half a million vegan meals served each year

Emirates now has 488 vegan recipes in rotation across 140 destinations, representing a 60% increase in total recipes from 2024 and showing dedication to vegan customers.

Emirates currently serves half a million vegan meals each year. Vegan meal consumption grows in line with passenger volume increases, and last year - the top destinations with customers ordering vegan meals were London in first place, followed by Sydney, Bangkok, Melbourne, Frankfurt, Manchester, Mumbai, Bali and Singapore. Emirates attributes some of the demand to non-vegan customers opt for vegan cuisine when flying, as a lighter option often considered easier to digest.

Vegan options are available to order and pre-order onboard, as well as in Emirates Lounges. Customers can request vegan meals on all Emirates flights and across all classes of travel up to 24 hours before departure. However, on high-demand routes, plant-based meals are also provided as part of the main menu options.

Emirates’ vegan cuisine in every class

Highlighting its commitment to culinary excellence for all customers, Emirates offers vegan meals across all classes, as well as complementary products like vegan milk. Supporting the farm to fork philosophy, Emirates incorporates fresh produce from Bustanica - the world’s largest hydroponic vertical farm. The farm is a joint venture with Emirates Flight Catering that delivers pesticide and chemical-free leafy greens like lettuce, arugula, mixed salad greens, and spinach, directly to Emirates’ catering facilities.  

In Economy class, Emirates customers can enjoy dishes like pumpkin frittata with sautéed mushrooms and tomato concassé, or spinach cannelloni served with tomato basil sauce, toasted crumbs and parsley, and desserts like vegan chocolate mousse cake drizzled in chocolate sauce and biscuit crumbs, or carrot cake dashed with coconut cream.

In Premium Economy class, customers choosing vegan cuisine will be served dishes like kimchi fried rice served with roasted pumpkin and sautéed oyster mushrooms, followed by desserts like coconut cake with pineapple compote and pistachios.

In Business class, a range of creatively curated dishes are offered including braised mushrooms with vegetables in five spice soy sauce, served with steamed jasmine rice and blanched pak choi. Customers who have room for dessert can feast on coconut panna cotta with raspberry mousse with fresh berries or chocolate tofu cheesecake.

In First class, customers will be treated to elevated vegan cuisine like pumpkin and barley risotto served with rocket, caramelised walnuts, vinaigrette and vegan cheese. Dishes offering a burst of flavours include quinoa salad with grilled aubergine, courgette, sautéed swiss chard and red pepper coulis. Decadent desserts include strawberry tart with vanilla custard and pistachios, served with berry compote, or a tempting sticky date pudding served with salted caramel sauce, vegan cream cheese, candied pecans and almond butter.

Crafted vegan options in Emirates’ Lounges Dubai

At Dubai International Airport, Emirates has 7 lounges located in its flagship Terminal 3 - 3 for First Class and 3 for Business Class customers, as well as the Emirates’ Lounge catering to all premium customers. The lounges offer a wide array of vegan options, from Baharat and turmeric spiced kofta in coconut gravy at the buffet area, to an à la carte breakfast of warm amaranth porridge with compressed green apples, red grapes, raspberries and walnuts in the First Class Lounge, amongst many others. In addition to an array of popular vegan salads, the most in demand vegan dish in the lounges is the Emirates Green Burger – a soya and flax seed green burger, with a signature sauce and pickled cucumbers.

Emirates recommendations for the busy travel week ahead

1.       Take advantage of remote check in options;

Emirates City Check In and Travel Store in DIFC - Save time at the airport and check in at Emirates City Check In and Travel Store in ICD Brookfield Place, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) instead. Conveniently located in the heart of the business district, Emirates customers can avail free parking to check in and drop off luggage as early as 24 hours and up to 4 hours before a flight. Customers who check in and drop luggage at this location until the 15 January, will be rewarded with 2,500 Emirates Skywards Miles each. Emirates City Check In and Travel Store is open from 8am to 12 midnight, until 15 January.

Emirates City Check In Ajman - Customers can also check in remotely in at the 24-hour Emirates City Check In Ajman, located in Ajman Central Bus Terminal as early as 24 hours and as late as 4 hours before the flight departs.

2.       Book the Emirates’ Home Check In services in Dubai and Sharjah (and its free for First Class customers and Platinum Skywards members!)

Emirates customers can also opt to check in at home in Dubai and Sharjah. Emirates’ Agents complete the quick check-in process at the customer's home, hotel, or office, and take their bags on to the flight, so that the customers can arrive later with just hand luggage. The service needs to be booked at least 24 hours before a flight and Emirates recommends booking early to avoid disappointment. The Home Check-In service is complimentary for First Class customers and Platinum Skywards members.

3.       Use public transport options like Dubai Metro to and from the airport to avoid road congestion. 

Dubai Metro provides a fast and convenient connection to Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB), with direct access from the Red Line. Trains run frequently from early morning until late at night, and the journey offers an efficient alternative to road travel during peak traffic periods. Passengers can disembark at the dedicated Airport Terminal 3 station, which is directly linked to the terminal via walkways and escalators, making it easy to reach check-in, departures and arrivals. Customers can also leave the airport after their flight and hop on the metro home.

4.       Arrive to Dubai International Airport (DXB) 4 hours before your flight departure.

Emirates recommends arriving to the airport 4 hours before the scheduled departure of your flight, to ensure you have enough time to check in (if not done online via the Emirates app or on Emirates.com already), drop baggage, pass through Immigration and reach the boarding gate at least 1 hour before departure. Emirates encourages all passengers to encourage to preselect their seats and ensure all documents are valid for travel.

Luxurious new loungewear for First Class customers

On select long-haul flights this month, Emirates First Class customers will be offered new loungewear, slippers and eye masks, designed to deliver refined comfort and effortless elegance onboard. Crafted from super-soft modal, the collection blends a sumptuous feel with breathability and lightweight ease. The premium fabric incorporates fully traceable botanic fibres sourced from sustainably grown beech trees, providing a temperature-regulating finish ideal for restful sleep. The two-piece loungewear set features a relaxed top and bottom silhouette, with a fluid drape that is both elegant and comfortable, whether for enjoying drinks at the A380 Onboard Lounge or for a serene sleep in Emirates’ fully enclosed First Class suites.

The women’s set is presented in soft blush pink and light grey, while the men’s design has a sophisticated two-tone grey palette. Matching slippers and eye masks also crafted from soft modal complete the ensemble. Slippers feature a plush inner sole for elevated comfort, while the eye mask is lined with an ultra-soft silk feel fabric to encourage uninterrupted rest.

Enhanced bed linen with 300-thread-count cotton

Further elevating the First Class sleep experience from 2026 onwards, Emirates is introducing premium 300-thread-count cotton bed linen, including pillows, duvet covers and mattress covers. Soft to the touch and impeccably finished, the new bedding is the perfect accompaniment to the indulgent and private First Class suites. Each suite has a spacious seat that reclines from upright position to a lie-flat bed, with an automatic door for full privacy.

Refined turndown service with luxury chocolate

Emirates’ First Class turndown service evokes the quiet elegance of a five-star hotel suite. The ritual includes a beautifully prepared bed with duvet, a bespoke wellness card encouraging relaxation and sweet dreams, and BYREDO Chamomile Pillow Mist delicately placed on the duvet fold. Completing the experience, a luxury chocolate is presented on the bed with premium chocolatiers featured including Valrhona, Canonica, Coco Jalila and Neuhaus.

New VOYA collection in the Emirates A380 Shower Spa

The iconic Emirates A380 Shower Spa has been refreshed with newly designed display units, thoughtfully styled to complement the colour palettes of retrofitted aircraft. Featuring a refined, speckled stone aesthetic, each hand-finished piece is unique in tone and texture, a design choice that reinforces the wellness-led ambience.

To accompany the refreshed displays, Emirates continues its partnership with luxury Irish skincare brand VOYA, introducing two new fragrance collections. The two ranges include Tranquillity, scented with calming lavender and eucalyptus, and Revitalise featuring uplifting honeysuckle and neroli, include shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body moisturiser and face wash. A coconut and jasmine soap, along with pump hand wash and hand cream complete the shower spa experience. Individual hand creams are also presented in the First and Business Class washrooms.

Elegant nightcaps served in crystal-cut glassware

New crystal-cut glassware has been introduced to complement Emirates’ existing First Class dining collection. Elegant and refined, the glassware is used to present select spirits, premium cocktails, mocktails and iced coffees, including the newly introduced iced café latte and iced Americano. Completing the collection, a new brandy balloon glass will be introduced to present Emirates’ exclusive Hennessy Paradis Cognac and Tesseron brandy.

Immersive sound with next-generation Bowers & Wilkins headphones

In early 2026, Emirates will be introducing the latest generation of Bowers & Wilkins First Class headphones, the E2, custom-tuned exclusively for Emirates’ First Class suites. Designed to deliver exceptional clarity, comfort, and immersion, the E2 model offers enhanced active noise cancellation and a more natural sonic profile for long-haul listening. The new E2 model delivers improved noise reduction and sound performance, along with improved isolation. The headphones are ergonomically optimised for extended wear and seamlessly integrate with Emirates’ award-winning ice inflight entertainment system. Customers can also explore a curated Bowers & Wilkins playlist onboard, selected by the brand’s sound engineers to showcase the headphones’ exceptional audio performance. For moments when communication with Emirates cabin crew is needed, activating voice transparency mode with the push of a button allows ambient sound to pass through, before returning the listener to complete serenity.

Emirates’ new reusable amenity kits celebrate the diverse wildlife of the world, in four natural environments: the sea, sky, forest and desert. Hand drawn designs adorn each bag, and each pouch contains a story card that gives some insight into the wildlife featured. The endangered species that Emirates and United for Wildlife are highlighting include African grey parrots, Arabian gazelles, Arabian oryx, Asian black bears, Bengal tigers, Blue sharks, Bornean orangutans, Cape vultures, Chimpanzees, Fennec foxes, Geckos, Gibbons, Glass frogs, Green sea turtles, Manta rays, Painted bats, Pangolins, Peregrine falcons, Red sand boas, Small-clawed otters, Straw-headed bulbuls, Totoaba and Western gorillas.

Customers can learn more about HRH Prince William and The Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife by watching the series ‘Guardians’ on Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system ice, as it spotlights the unsung heroes and wildlife rangers who risk everything to protect the natural world.

Emirates new 2025/26 Premium Economy Class Amenity Kit Bags 

For the first time since its introduction in 2021, Emirates’ Premium Economy class will have its own unique amenity kit bag with a handy wrist strap and filled with travel wellness products. Generous in size, the travel and wellness essentials inside include soft socks, eyeshades, earplugs, a Colgate dental kit, and Aveda lip balm, hand relief moisturising cream, and hydrating face lotion. The socks and eyeshades are made from 100% recycled post- consumer polyester, while the story card and ear plugs packaging are made from paper sourced from responsibly managed forests.

Available on overnight flights of longer duration, each collectible kit bag highlights endangered species through hand drawn artwork, as well as on a story card inside which names the creature pictured – from Pangolins, Glass frogs, Chimpanzees, Bengal tigers, Asian black bears, Totoabas, Small-clawed otters, Manta rays, Green sea turtles, Geckos, Peregrine falcons, Red sand boas, Fennec foxes, African grey parrots, Painted bats, Straw-headed bulbul and Cape vultures.

Emirates new 2025/26 Economy Class Amenity Kit Bags 

Emirates new Economy Class kit bags are colourful keepsakes, filled with comfort items for travellers. These kits also contain soft socks, eyeshades, earplugs and a Colgate dental kit. The socks and eyeshades are made from 100% recycled post- consumer polyester, while the story card and ear plugs packaging are made from paper sourced from responsibly managed forests.

Available on overnight flights of longer duration, each collectible kit bag highlights endangered species through hand drawn artwork, as well as on a story card inside which names the creature pictured – from Arabian gazelles, Arabian oryx, Blue sharks, Western gorillas, Gibbons, Bornean orangutan, Bengal tigers, Asian black bears, Small-clawed otters, Manta rays, Green sea turtles, Peregrine falcons, Fennec foxes, African grey parrots, and Cape vultures.

Emirates Environmental Sustainability Framework

Emirates’ ongoing partnership with United for Wildlife reflects a deep commitment to the prevention of illegal trade of wildlife and wildlife products - a core pillar of the Emirates Environmental Sustainability Framework. Emirates is actively involved in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking and exploitation and is a member of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce. Emirates has zero tolerance towards the illegal trade of wildlife and wildlife products and its freight arm, Emirates SkyCargo, has implemented a complete ban on hunting trophies of elephants, rhinoceros, lions and tigers. In June 2023, Emirates reinforced its commitment to environmentally responsible practices by achieving IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Stage One and the IEnvA Illegal Wildlife Trade module certifications.

About United for Wildlife 

Founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in 2014, United for Wildlife aims to make it impossible for traffickers to transport, finance or profit from illegal wildlife products. By working collaboratively with the transport and finance sectors, building key partnerships with law enforcement and NGOs, and sharing information and best practices across the sectors, and across borders, United for Wildlife is disrupting this criminal network globally. www.unitedforwildlife.org

Learn about the endangered animals on Emirates’ amenity kits

African grey parrots

African Grey parrots are widely trafficked for the pet trade, where they are highly sought after. Their heads and feathers are also increasingly valued in African traditional medicine. Renowned for their exceptional intelligence, these parrots can learn extensive vocabularies, mimic sounds, and use words contextually, demonstrating cognitive abilities comparable to those of a five-year-old child. They also form strong social bonds with humans, often developing affectionate relationships with their owners.

Arabian gazelles

Arabian gazelles are primarily trafficked for sale in exotic animal collections and for illegal hunting. These animals are notable for their adaptations to harsh desert environments, distinctive reproductive behaviours, and their important role in both conservation efforts and local culture. Arabian gazelles possess specialized physiological traits that enable them to survive extreme heat and arid conditions. In addition to their biological adaptations, they are highly valued within human culture and play a vital role in maintaining the balance of their native ecosystems.

Arabian oryx

Arabian oryx are trafficked mainly for the exotic animal trade and are also poached for their horns, meat, and hides. They exemplify a major conservation achievement, having been reintroduced into their native habitats after becoming extinct in the wild. Arabian oryx are well known for their remarkable adaptations to harsh desert environments and serve as important cultural symbols of resilience and national identity throughout the Arabian Peninsula.

Asian black bears

Asian black bears are poached for their gall bladders, claws, and teeth, and are increasingly trafficked as exotic pets. Also known as Moon Bears, they are distinguished by their arboreal lifestyle and significant cultural importance. Adapted for climbing, they feature a characteristic crescent-shaped white patch on their chest and are regarded as sacred in many Asian cultures, frequently appearing in regional folklore and art.

Bengal tigers

Bengal tigers are poached and trafficked for their skin, claws, teeth, and bones, with their derivatives highly valued in Eastern medicine. Each Bengal tiger has a unique stripe pattern, much like a human fingerprint. Unlike most big cats, they are excellent swimmers and possess the longest canine teeth of any feline species, making them formidable predators. In India, Bengal tigers are also an important cultural symbol, embodying nobility and strength.

Blue sharks

Blue Sharks are trafficked for their fins, skin, livers, and meat. Shark liver oil is commonly used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Fins are highly valued for their use in soups served at significant banquets and celebrations, such as weddings, in Asia, with even smaller fins now being displayed as symbols of wealth. Shark skin is processed into leather products.

Bornean orangutans

Bornean orangutans are prized in the exotic pet trade. Orangutans stand out for their high intelligence and close genetic relationship to humans, sharing approximately 97% of our DNA. As "gardeners of the forest," they play a vital ecological role by dispersing seeds throughout their habitat. Orangutans are also distinguished by their specialized arboreal lifestyle, complex social behaviours, and long, powerful arms adapted for life in the trees.

Cape vultures

Cape vultures face significant threats from mass poisoning events aimed at other large animals and are also targeted for the traditional medicine trade in Africa. As essential scavengers, vultures play a critical role in their ecosystems by consuming carcasses, thereby preventing the spread of disease to other wildlife and humans. They can soar for hours at altitudes up to 10,000 feet without flapping their wings. In southern Africa, Cape vultures are the only species that nest in large colonies, typically roosting on layered rock ledges and cliffs.

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are prized in the exotic pet trade and are also poached for their meat, hands and skulls. Chimpanzees are unique as our closest living relatives, sharing 98% of our DNA. They exhibit exceptional intelligence, complex social behaviours, and advanced problem-solving abilities. Notably, chimpanzees are among the few species that use and modify tools, display cultural traditions, and demonstrate self-awareness. Their intricate social structures, capacity for learning, and important ecological role in forest environments further highlight their significance.

Fennec foxes

Fennec foxes are trafficked for the pet trade and by private collectors. They are distinguished by their large ears, which aid in dissipating heat and detecting prey underground. Their feet are covered with fur to protect them from hot sand, and they can obtain all necessary water from their diet. Fennec foxes are highly social animals, typically living in family groups. Additional adaptations include a lowered heart rate and metabolism, effective camouflage, and specialized hunting techniques.

Gecko

Gecko are prized in the exotic pet trade and are highly sought after by reptile collectors. Geckos are remarkable for their extraordinary climbing abilities, enabled by microscopic hairs called setae on their feet that generate adhesive forces, allowing them to move effortlessly on walls and ceilings. They possess the unique ability to detach and regrow their tails as a defence mechanism. With over 1,500 species, geckos play a vital ecological role in controlling insect populations and are also known for producing distinctive vocalizations.

Gibbons

Gibbons are increasingly poached for the exotic pet trade. Gibbons are notable for their remarkable agility, speed, and distinctive social organization. They move swiftly through the forest canopy using brachiation—swinging from branch to branch with their long arms. Unlike many other primates, gibbons typically form long-term, monogamous pairs and live in close-knit social groups.

Glass frogs

Glass frogs are prized in the exotic pet trade. Glass frogs are remarkable for their translucent skin and muscles, which make them nearly invisible to predators. They enhance this camouflage by concealing most of their red blood cells in their liver while at rest, increasing their transparency. Additionally, in some species, males actively defend their eggs from predators such as wasps, displaying highly specialized protective behaviours.

Green sea turtles

Green sea turtles are trafficked for their shells and meat and are often taxidermized whole for decorative purposes. In some cultures, turtles are regarded as symbols of good luck. As adults, green turtles are the only large sea turtles that are strictly herbivorous, playing a vital role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems such as seagrass beds. They are also exceptional navigators, using the Earth's magnetic field to return to their nesting beaches after extensive migrations. The temperature of the sand where their eggs are buried determines the sex of the hatchlings. Green turtles nest in 80 countries and inhabit the coastal waters of 140 countries.

Manta rays

Manta rays are trafficked for their gill plates, which are used in traditional medicines in Asia. They are notable for their intelligence, impressive size, and gentle disposition. As some of the largest fish in the ocean, manta rays have the highest brain-to-body size ratio among fish and display advanced social behaviours, such as visiting cleaning stations and possibly using echolocation.

Painted bats

Painted bats are poached mainly for the ornamental and taxidermy trade, valued for their vivid orange and black coloration. Online demand for decorative items far exceeds what could be met by naturally deceased bats, making all commercial trade unsustainable given their solitary habits and low reproductive rate—just one pup per year. Painted bats are notable for their unique flight, specialized roosting in dried banana leaves, and their role in insect control. Illegal trade and habitat loss have made them ‘Near Threatened’ status.

Pangolins

Pangolins remain under threat from poaching for their meat and scales. Pangolins are unique as the only mammals covered in large, protective keratin scales. These distinctive scales, combined with features such as exceptionally long tongues for consuming ants and termites and the ability to curl into a tight defensive ball, set them apart from all other species. Unfortunately, these very traits contribute to their status as the most trafficked mammals globally, as they are heavily hunted for their meat and scales, which are wrongly believed to possess medicinal value.

Peregrine falcons

Peregrine falcons are poached for the live bird trade. Renowned as the fastest animals on Earth, they can reach speeds exceeding 200 mph during their hunting dive, or stoop. Highly adaptable, peregrine falcons inhabit every continent except Antarctica and are celebrated as a symbol of successful endangered species recovery through conservation efforts. Their physical adaptations include bony tubercles in their nostrils that enable breathing at high speeds and a specialized tomial tooth on their beak for efficiently killing prey. Peregrine falcons also hold significant cultural importance throughout the Middle East.

Red sand boas

Red sand boas stand out for their vital role in controlling rodent populations, their specialized adaptations for life underground, and the cultural myths that fuel both high demand and illegal trade. These stout, reddish-brown, non-venomous snakes are prized in the exotic pet market for their calm temperament and ease of care, while in agricultural settings, they contribute significantly by preying on rodents and supporting farm pest management. They are sought after by many who believe they embody supernatural powers.

Small-clawed otters

Small-clawed otters are trafficked for the pet trade and for use in pet cafés, where customers pay to interact with them. They are notable for their intelligence, social nature, and distinctive physical traits, including partially webbed paws that enable them to handle objects and catch prey such as crabs and mollusks. As the smallest otter species, they live in social groups, communicate through a complex system of at least a dozen vocalizations, and are more terrestrial than other otter species.

Straw-headed bulbuls

Straw-headed bulbuls are heavily targeted by poachers for the lucrative Asian songbird trade, prized for their striking appearance and exceptionally melodious songs. As the largest bulbul species in Southeast Asia, their distinctive calls make them especially sought after by collectors and hobbyists. This intense demand has led to widespread trapping, which, together with ongoing habitat loss, has caused dramatic population declines and pushed the species to the brink of extinction, now classified as critically endangered.

Totoaba

Totoaba are a large fish that lives off the coast of Mexico. Totoaba are notable for their highly prized swim bladders, which command significant value on the illegal market. This demand has driven extensive poaching, pushing the species to the brink of extinction and severely threatening the vaquita porpoise through bycatch. In traditional Chinese medicine and luxury cuisine, totoaba swim bladders are especially sought after and are sometimes traded as investment items.

Western gorillas

Western gorillas are targeted by poachers and traffickers for both the exotic pet and bushmeat trades. Notable for their remarkable intelligence and strength, gorillas live in complex social groups led by a dominant silverback male and maintain strong family bonds. Sharing approximately 98% of their DNA with humans, they exhibit human-like emotions such as laughter and sadness. As the largest primates on Earth, gorillas are primarily herbivorous and possess the ability to use and create tools, such as using sticks to measure water depth.

Dubai, UAE, 12 December 2025 - Emirates is giving travellers even more reasons to visit Dubai this winter, with a special offer that combines world-class hospitality and unique experiences. Customers who book return flights to Dubai by 21^st December 2025, will enjoy complimentary access to two popular tours and attractions.

Travellers can take in the Dubai skyline with a gorgeous 90-minute sunset dinner cruise along Dubai Marina and fully immerse themselves in a cutting-edge multi-sensory art experience at the Arte Museum Dubai.

This limited offer is valid for bookings between the 8^th and the 21^st December for travel between 7^th January to 18^th March 2026.

Xclusive Yachts sunset cruise

Step aboard the Xclusive Yachts sunset cruise on their 125ft glass houseboat and enjoy stunning views of the Dubai Marina. This incredible experience is complemented with an indulgent international buffet dinner and the soothing sounds of an onboard musician as the sun sets over the city.

Arte Museum Dubai

Arte Museum Dubai fuses digital artistry with sensory storytelling. Immersive installations and stunning visual landscapes are enhanced by original soundscapes and custom fragrances, creating a truly multi-sensory experience.

Get more from your travel with Emirates

Alongside this fantastic offer, Emirates continues to provide its customers with more opportunities to make the most out of their time in Dubai, including:

• My Emirates Pass - While a trip to Dubai is a great idea at any time of year, winter in the city offers an array of surprises, from outdoor festivals to the biggest sales of the season. With the My Emirates Pass, customers have access to over 700 exclusive offers across the city.
• Skywards Partners - Members of the award-winning loyalty programme, Emirates Skywards can earn Miles with worldwide partners like hotels, airlines, car rentals, retail and banking. Members can spend these Miles on reward tickets, upgrades, or even tickets for concerts and sports events. Learn more about Emirates Skywards here: https://www.emirates.com/english/skywards/. While in Dubai, you can earn Miles with partners across the city like Dubai Duty Free, purchases using the Skywards Everyday App, Dubai Mall, Arabian Adventures, Emirates Holidays and more. Skywards members also get free Wi-Fi onboard.

Tickets can be purchased on emirates.com, Emirates Sales Office, Emirates Retail outlets, The Emirates App, via travel agents or through online travel agents.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

*Full terms and conditions can be found here: https://www.emirates.com/english/special-offers/make-dubai-your-winter-destination/ 

Emirates 5 latest gongs from the World Travel Awards

• World's Leading Airline Brand 2025: Emirates

• World's Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment 2025: Emirates

• World's Leading Airline Rewards Programme 2025: Emirates - Skywards

• World's Leading Airline - First Class 2025: Emirates

• World's Leading Airline Lounge - First Class 2025: Emirates First Class Lounge @ Emirates Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport

Emirates scores big with array of industry awards throughout 2025

In November, Emirates was voted ‘Best Airline in the World’ for the 8^th consecutive year, at the esteemed ULTRAs travel awards. Based on votes from Ultratravel’s global network of 1.2 million travellers, Emirates also scooped the ‘Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class’ award, as well as a prestigious ‘Lifetime Achievement Award for Services to Global Aviation’ presented to Sir Tim Clark. Aviation Business Middle East also awarded Emirates ‘Best First Class of the Year’ and the prestigious ‘Airline of the Year’ award.

Emirates also won ‘Best International Airline,’ ‘Best International First Class,’ and ‘Best International Airline Lounge’ from the Forbes Travel Guide Verified Air Travel Awards 2025, as well as ‘Best Long-Haul Airline’ at The Times and The Sunday Times Travel Awards 2025. Sir Tim Clark was also recently recognised by the Wings Club Foundation with the prestigious Distinguished Achievement Award.

In September, Emirates received global recognition at the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO in Long Beach, California, winning 2 notable awards – the 2026 APEX Best™ Global Entertainment Award for its inflight entertainment system - ice, and a 2026 APEX WORLD CLASS™ award for all aspects of the airline’s customer experience and brand.

Earlier in 2025, Emirates was honoured with several awards including ‘Best Long-Haul Airline’ at The Telegraph Travel Awards, ‘2025's Most Recommended Global Brand’ by YouGov, and multiple categories at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards, such as ‘Best Airline Worldwide’ for the 12th consecutive year, ‘Best First Class’, ‘Best Premium Economy Class’, and ‘Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East.’ 

Classic Christmas cuisine above the clouds

Throughout the month, customers will be greeted with hallmark tastes of the season, beginning with aromatic festive hot chocolate served in all classes, from 17-26 December. Between 24-26 December, travellers departing Dubai will receive seasonal mini treats including dark chocolate truffles in Economy Class, homemade gingerbread cookies in Premium Economy and Business Class, and a decadent raspberry Paris-Brest pastry in First Class.

In First, Business, and Premium Economy Class, the Christmas table is reimagined with a global culinary lens - beginning with dishes like salmon gravadlax marinated in beetroot and orange, delicately pickled herring with potato and quail egg salad, or smoked salmon crowned with crab mayonnaise and salmon roe. The main courses bring the nostalgia of a traditional holiday feast - classic turkey with jus, chestnut and turkey bacon stuffing, truffle potato gratin, caramelised chestnuts, and roasted brussels sprouts alongside new chef-curated creations on select routes, from herb-crusted lamb shank with jus, braised cabbage and butternut squash, to duck confit glazed in cranberry jus lié, and seared venison enriched with sage butter and blackberry sauce. For dessert, a constellation of festive sweets awaits, with First Class guests also receiving an edible Santa Claus sculpted from fresh strawberries and cream.

Economy Class customers can look forward to unwrapping their own festive feast of roasted turkey with chestnut and turkey bacon roulade and maple-roasted parsnips, followed by orange-soaked traditional fruit cake, or a mini mousse cake featuring one of Santa’s reindeer—especially designed for younger travellers.

At the A380 Onboard Lounge, the merriment continues with artisanal sweet treats such as mince pies, stollen, panettone, festive macarons, ginger profiteroles, dark chocolate ganache, cranberry financier, hazelnut and cranberry jars, biscotti, and candy canes. For savoury savants, a hearty Christmas sandwich layered with turkey, roast beef, cheddar, cranberry sauce and chilli tomato relish is the ultimate snack for the festive season. For some extra festive fun, guests at the A380 Onboard Lounge can grab Emirates’ new seasonal selfie props and take a perfect picture to mark the season.

Festive fare with flair across Emirates’ Lounges

From 15-31 December, Emirates’ First and Business Class lounges in Dubai transform into winter-warm culinary havens where guests can savour traditional roasted turkey with jus and cranberry sauce, glazed chestnuts, root vegetables, Brussels sprouts, and new potatoes, paired with festive cocktails such as Emirates’ Cognac Crème Panettone. The holiday mood extends to a thoughtful Champagne selection, with Moët & Chandon Ice Brut and Ice Rosé paired with specially created sorbets, Grand Vintage 2016, Imperial Brut, Rosé Imperial and Nectar Imperial, served alongside elegant new canapés including foie gras bon bons and miso-pumpkin tart. Classic seasonal desserts from traditional stollen and mince pies dusted with vanilla sauce to Emirates’ homemade apple pie with cinnamon ice cream or cranberry sorbet complete the experience. Visitors can also warm up with gingerbread lattes or Galaxy hot chocolate crafted by Costa Coffee.

Across Emirates lounges worldwide—spanning Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, the UK and the USA—guests will find timeless Christmas dishes tailored to each region.

A celebration of fine wines and Champagne

In the elegant ambiance of First Class, the celebrations extend to the world of fine wine. Throughout December, Emirates will debut the exceptionally rare Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2, 2006, a vintage known for its luminous energy and refined depth, with aromas of tangerine peel, apricot, white pepper, passionfruit and mint. Two remarkable wines from Emirates’ exclusive cellar will also be poured - the illustrious Montrachet Grand Cru 2013 – Bouchard & Fils, among the rarest wines ever served onboard, and Château Montrose 2005, a powerful Second Growth from Saint-Estèphe.

Business Class customers will have the opportunity to sample a curated array of wines over the season, from Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion 2010 and Chateau Oliver 2010 to Beaune du Chateau 1er Cru Bouchard Pere et Fils 2020, Two Hands Bella's Garden Shiraz 2021 and Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2020.

Premium Economy customers will experience wines ranging from Tenuta Luce Lucente 2021 and Chablis Saint Martin Michel Laroche 2023 or can choose to heighten the festive mood with an exceptional sparkling wine and global exclusive to Emirates – Chandon Vintage Brut 2018.

Delicious dishes for Orthodox Christmas

From 24 December - 8 January, Emirates will celebrate Orthodox Christmas on flights between Russia, Cyprus, Ethiopia and Dubai. First and Business Class menus will feature appetisers such as Olivier salad, lobster tail with celeriac purée and Sevruga caviar, pickled herring, or smoked salmon with crab mayonnaise, followed by duck confit with cranberry jus lié, herb-crusted lamb shank with jus, and a selection of festive desserts including white chocolate and peppermint mousse cake with cranberry compote or chocolate gingerbread cake with cranberry jelly. Economy Class travellers will enjoy starters such as Russian potato salad and Waldorf salad, followed by barbecued chicken with chestnut and turkey bacon roulade or creamy beef stroganoff, finished with peppermint mousse topped with popping candy or classic fruit cake doused in orange sauce.

Holiday movies and festive entertainment on ice

This Christmas, Emirates customers can get cosy with 39 holiday season movies onboard the award-winning inflight entertainment ice, including new movies such as Tinsel Town with Rebel Wilson and Kiefer Sutherland, and Dear Santa starring Jack Black, alongside all-time favourites Last Christmas, The Holiday, Elf, The Polar Express and even Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer from 1964.

An array of 42 Christmas TV shows and holiday specials await, including The Great Christmas Bake Off, Royal Carols: Together at Christmas, Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas, Wham! Last Christmas Unwrapped documentary and Strictly Come Dancing: Christmas Special. For those who wish to get into the holly jolly rhythm, there are albums and playlists of Christmas music from artists like Sam Smith, the Vince Guaraldi Trio, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald and more.

The art of gift-giving with Emirates

Travellers seeking last-minute gifts will find inspiration in the EmiratesRED Winter 2025 catalogue, offering over 300 products from revered houses including Armani, Creed, Amouage, YSL, Kilian and Van Cleef & Arpels. The EmiratesRED pre-order service, available on most flights, allows customers to shop from 21 days up to 40 hours before departure and have their purchases delivered to their seat inflight, with pre-orders receiving a special 10% discount using the code RED10.

Merry and bright in red, green and white, Emirates also has a festive capsule collection available at the Emirates Official Store, feature Christas jumpers, matching family pyjamas and themed stockings, hats and cosy mugs.

Spread Christmas kindness with doubled donations for children in need

‘You Donate, Emirates Doubles’ - Emirates customers can also celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and spread joy with the Emirates Airline Foundation, dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged children. Emirates will match any customer donation up to $10,000 per donation, ensuring your generosity goes even further. Emirates customers can donate in any currency, on any flight, by using the envelope in the seat pocket, or via credit card, cheque, Skywards miles, or bank transfer, on their flight or from home.

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Thanksgiving Breakfast onboard Emirates

Awaken to the aroma of cinnamon pancakes served with seasonal apple and cranberry compote, and a dollop of whipped ricotta pumpkin cream, served in First, Business and Premium Economy Class. Combined with complimentary blueberry muffins and aromatic cinnamon rolls in Business Class, this is a scrumptious Thanksgiving breakfast to get the holiday started.

First Class fine dining for Thanksgiving

On flights to and from Dubai to USA, First Class customers will savour a range of classic gourmet dishes including creamy celeriac and pear soup with leek julienne, sweet potato soup with poached lobster and chives, appetisers of smoked salmon with chives, cucumber, pea shoots and horseradish sauce, or seafood platter appetiser with poached prawn, smoked salmon, crab cocktail and salmon gravadlax, alongside caviar, horseradish and wakame.

Main courses will celebrate Thanksgiving classics like turkey leg roulade with roasted butternut, mashed potatoes with carrot, buttered brussels sprouts, roasted pecans, a dash of cranberry jus lié and thyme and garlic potatoes. Another main course will feature lemon, zaatar and buttermilk roasted turkey with celeriac apple purée, maple-roasted caraway pumpkin and beetroot, kale with cranberries, pecan and cornbread stuffing. For dessert, First Class customers can sample the seasonal flavours of warm apple fritters with mascarpone cream and cinnamon sugar, zingy key lime tart accented with raspberry coulis, hot toffee apple and pecan cake doused with salted caramel sauce and marshmallows, or chocolate marble cheesecake served with berry compote and vanilla curd.

Traditional Thanksgiving treats in Business Class

In Business Class, customers will be offered a sweet potato soup, creamy celeriac and pear soup, salmon gravadlax with ginger and candied orange, carrot coulis, blackberries and Beluga caviar, caper berries, red sorrel and baby spinach. Thanksgiving main courses will include lemon zaatar and buttermilk roasted turkey with celeriac apple puree, maple-roasted caraway pumpkin and beetroot, kale with cranberries, pecan and cornbread stuffing, or turkey roulade with all the trimmings. Desserts include key lime tart or cheesecake with strawberry basil confit.

On the Emirates A380 flights from Dubai to Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington DC, First and Business Class customers can also have a Thanksgiving sweet treat in the onboard lounge - pecan cupcakes with luscious cream cheese frosting, and sweet treats washed down with a selection of premium whiskeys, cocktails, wine, and champagne.

Gourmet goodness for Thanksgiving in Premium Economy Class

Premium Economy customers can relish moreish dishes like festive salad of grilled artichoke antipasti, butternut squash, broad beans and kale, with sunflower seeds and dried cranberries, or shrimp cocktail with fennel salad. Customers will feast on tender turkey roulade with all the trimmings or delve into a buttermilk and herb roasted turkey served with cranberry jus lie, mashed sweet potato, blanched broccolini, paprika potato wedges and honey glazed pumpkin with crushed pecans. The finale to the meal will be a key lime tart dashed with Chantilly cream and raspberry, or a smooth berry cheesecake and red berry coulis.

A festive feast for Thanksgiving in Economy Class

In Economy Class, customers coming from the US will refresh with a welcome drink of festive orange, pomegranate, apple and cinnamon. Travellers will enjoy a quinoa salad with kale, butternut squash and crushed pecans to start, or classic Waldorf salad, followed by a festive roasted chicken with cranberry jus lie, chestnut roulade with turkey bacon, maple baked parsnips, carrot mash, peas and potato wedges. Dessert will be a decadent salted caramel milk cake or sticky toffee pudding, followed by a warm Snickerdoodle cookie.

Thanksgiving Celebrations in Emirates Lounges

Between the 23-30 November, Thanksgiving can also be enjoyed at the Emirates Lounges in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Travellers will be invited to experience authentic Thanksgiving dishes of roasted mushroom bisque with crème fraiche and truffles, followed by a sumptuous main course of cider-brined turkey breast with roasted apples and fresh herbs, traditional gravy, fresh cranberry compote, brioche stuffing with apricots, dates, onion and kale, creamy mashed potatoes with butter and chives, as well as brussels sprouts with pepitas and sunflower seeds. Desserts will include pumpkin-spiced olive oil cake with maple mascarpone and caramel sauce, complemented by festive cocktails.

In Emirates’ Dubai Lounges, Thanksgiving meals will feature roasted turkey breast with cranberry sauce, roasted potatoes with rosemary and paprika, glazed chestnuts, roasted root vegetables with brussels sprouts, followed by an array of desserts including white chocolate and cranberry cheesecake, pecan pie and pumpkin cranberry cheesecake. Customers may get in the festive mood with a pumpkin spiced martini, maple pumpkin sangria, or a spiced pear delight mocktail.

Thanksgiving Entertainment on ice

Enhancing the Thanksgiving mood, customers can settle in to watch the NBA games live on Sport24 and Sport24 Extra and see the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and more in action, over the Thanksgiving period. There is a wide array of holiday season content within 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment on ice, over 2,000 movies, 650 TV shows, and 4,000 hours of music, podcasts, and audiobooks in over 40 languages.

Emirates Flights to and from the USA

Emirates currently offers flights to 12 destinations in the USA, including Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Chicago’s O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Washington D.C.’s Dulles International Airport (IAD), Seattle- Tacoma Airport (SEA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Orlando International Airport (MCO), Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Miami International Airport (MIA).

Emirates strongly recommends that customers plan their travel carefully this December - preparing for the likelihood of additional traffic on the way to the airport, busier carparks, and a bustling airport for the festive season. The airline advises customers to take advantage of an array of options to facilitate a speedier and more seamless travel experience this December.

Emirates’ top 5 ways to minimise waiting times at Dubai International (DXB) this December

1.)    Tell everyone the timelines.

Avoid debates and confusion in advance and ensure the whole family or group is aware of the recommended travel times from Emirates.

·            During December, you should arrive to the Airport: 3 hours before departure

·            Ensure you pass through Immigration: 1.5 hours before departure

·            Ensure you reach your correct Boarding Gate: 1 hour before departure

Then, start your trip off in the best way with time to enjoy the array of airside attractions at Dubai International (DXB) from Emirates Lounges to restaurants and cafes, world class shopping and relaxation areas.

2.)    Download the Emirates App to check in online and register for Biometrics to breeze through the airport.

Download the Emirates app for flight details at your fingertips and check in 48 hours in advance. Get your digital boarding pass for most destinations and notifications about your flight, check what meals will be served, pre-order your hot meal in Business Class, book a chauffeur drive service and even pre-select and plan what to watch via ice inflight entertainment. Customers can now also use their Emirates app to register to use the Biometrics path at Dubai International (DXB). The registration takes only a few minutes and enables customers to move quickly through the airport using airport smart gates, biometric boarding at Emirates gates and biometric entry to Emirates Lounges.

Customers can also check in on Emirates.com 48 hours ahead of flight departure time.

3.)    Check in and drop luggage off at DIFC - Emirates City Check In & Travel Store and get free Skywards Miles.

Save time at the airport and check in at Emirates City Check In and Travel Store in ICD Brookfield Place, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) instead. Conveniently located in the heart of the business district, Emirates customers can avail free parking to check in and drop off luggage as early as 24 hours and up to 4 hours before a flight. Customers who check in and drop luggage at this location between 15 December to 15 January, will be rewarded with 2,500 Emirates Skywards Miles each - including children, meaning that a family of 4 could claim 10,000 miles just by checking in at the state-of-the-art venue. Emirates City Check In and Travel Store is open from 8am to 10pm daily, and from 15 December to 15 January, the opening hours of the venue have been extended to 12 midnight.

Customers can also check in remotely in at the 24-hour Emirates City Check In Ajman, located in Ajman Central Bus Terminal as early as 24 hours and as late as 4 hours before the flight departs.

4.)    Drop off your luggage at the airport the day before, or enjoy a stress-free Home Check In.

Emirates customers can make more room in their car and minimise tasks at the airport by dropping off luggage at the airport the night before travel, at no charge. Passengers who are departing from Dubai can check-in early and drop off their bags 24 hours before departure, or 12 hours before departure if flying to the US. Then closer to departure time, customers can proceed directly to the Immigration area at the airport.

Emirates customers can also opt to check in at home in Dubai and Sharjah. Emirates’ Agents complete the quick check-in process at the customer's home, hotel, or office, and take their bags on to the flight, so that the customers can arrive at a later time with just hand luggage. The service needs to be booked at least 24 hours before a flight and Emirates recommends booking early to avoid disappointment. The Home Check-In service is complimentary for First Class customers and Platinum Skywards members.

5.)    Make sure your baggage meets Emirates’ requirements.

Emirates requests that customers are vigilant while packing bags and follow the restricted items procedures. Take note of new rules such as - Emirates customers may only carry one power bank that is under 100 Watt Hours and must have capacity rating information available. Power banks must now be placed in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of you and are not allowed in checked baggage. Smart bags are allowed in the cabin if the battery is removable, powered off, and within the cabin baggage size and weight limits. E-cigarettes including e-cigars, e-pipes, Electric Portable Incense (Perfume) Burner or other personal vaporizers containing batteries must be individually protected to prevent accidental activation and are only allowed as carry-on luggage.

More tips from Emirates this December

Pre-order your festive shopping.

Customers who wish to save even more time can pre-order their gifts and shopping on EmiratesRED.com and get access to exclusive retail products, which are then delivered to their seat in the air by the cabin crew. The pre-order service is available on most flights, and customers can shop from 21 days up to 40 hours before their flight, providing their flight details during checkout. The Emirates RED Winter 2025 catalogue features more than 300 products from brands like Hermès, Cartier, Tom Ford, Creed and Jo Malone and customers who pre-order can use the code RED10 to save 10%.

Get additional support options on Emirates’ new Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub.

Emirates new Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on Emirates.com is designed to contain all the information needed for accessible and inclusive travel, featuring accessibility-friendly navigation that allows customers to find information easily and explore the many ways that Emirates can provide travel assistance and support. Services include 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, Travelling with a Wheelchair and Mobility Aids, Family Travel, Medical Travel, Travelling with Children, Travelling during pregnancy, Unaccompanied Minors travel and much more.

Enjoy transport options in the airport.

Once at the airport, you can use an array of transport options to move around seamlessly.

Train - When you arrive to the airport, you enter Concourse B. To reach Concourse A, Emirates customers will use the complimentary train in Terminal 3.

Bus - Emirates also offers a shuttle bus service between Concourse A and Concourse C, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The bus departs every 20 minutes, and the average travel time is also 20 minutes. The Pickup and Drop-off points are at clearly marked connection desks.

Buggie Taxi - First Class customers can also use dedicated Emirates buggies available on request throughout the airport, while Dubai Airport Buggies (also called Dubai Taxi) are available for all types of customers free of charge, with priority extended to the elderly, families with children and People of Determination.

Eliminating the need to take out a passport and boarding pass at various points in the airport, the new biometrics initiative is a collaboration between Emirates and the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigner Affairs Dubai (GDRFAD), that reduces processing time significantly for all registered customers. The powerful cameras can recognise the biometric profile of a customer from one metre away, allowing customers to walk swiftly through areas where they used to have to pause and show documents.

Whether visiting the UAE or as a resident, any Emirates customer can sign up for the swift and secure biometrics services on the Emirates app, at the Self-Service Kiosks at the airport, or at Check-In desks. Consenting to Emirates Biometrics Registration once, allows customers to skip queues and speed through the airport every time they travel, choosing the route of the dedicated Biometric Zones when flying to and from Dubai International (DXB).

Adel al Redha, Emirates' Deputy President & Chief Operating Officer said;

‘With our latest Biometrics Path development, Emirates has invested in further innovations to enhance the customer travel experience, providing remarkable speed, efficiency, and accuracy at Terminal 3 in Dubai International Airport. Since 2017, we have been working in collaboration with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai to upgrade our equipment and implement the latest technologies, ensuring that our customers enjoy a world-class, seamless journey.’

Commenting on the collaboration, H.E. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, said:

‘At GDRFA Dubai, innovation has long been part of our DNA and a cornerstone of our services. Over the years, we have integrated artificial intelligence and biometric technologies to make travel through Dubai faster, safer, and more intuitive. Our partnership with Emirates continues this path of excellence, reflecting the spirit of collaboration that defines Dubai’s government and private sectors. Together, we are shaping a seamless travel experience that embodies reputation of the United Arab Emirates in general, and Dubai in particular, for efficiency, hospitality, and digital governance.’

How Emirates Customers can use Biometrics at DXB

Step 1: Register

Customers can register using the Emirates app, or in person at check‑in desks in Dubai. Customers must be 18 years or above to register and each customer must register individually. Using the Emirates app to complete registration takes only a few minutes. Customers are required to be members of Emirates Skywards and need to simply scan their passport, ensure all passport details match their Emirates Skywards profile, and provide consent for Emirates to use details stored in the UAE General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs database.

Step 2: Enjoy a Biometric check-in

Once a customer is registered, they can use biometric facial recognition to check‑in at kiosks whenever they fly from Dubai. Customers will soon be able to use biometrics at Connections when transferring to another Emirates flight.

Step 3: Breeze through Biometric Smart Gates in Dubai

Emirates customers can also skip queues at Immigration by using the GDFRAD-managed Smart Gates at Emirates Terminal 3, every time they arrive and depart from Dubai. Customers just need to step into the Smart Gate, wait for a quick photo, and continue to security or baggage collection in seconds. Customers can use the Smart Gates if they are a UAE citizen or resident, or a GCC national, or visa on arrival visitor with a biometric passport.

Step 4: A seamless Biometric entry to the Emirates Lounge

Emirates customers eligible for Lounge access, may enter the lounge at Concourse B through facial recognition at five entry points. Registered customers simply approach the gate, look at the camera, and walk through to the lounge to enjoy a wide range of chef-crafted dishes and beverages, and world-class facilities.

Step 5: Speedy Biometric boarding

There is no need for registered biometrics customers to reach for their boarding pass, as they can board faster with biometric facial recognition. Some of Emirates departure gates on Concourses A, B and C have biometric boarding, with more coming soon.

Process and Consent for Emirates Biometric Registration

If a person has visited Dubai before, or is a resident of Dubai, and has a biometric record with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigner Affairs Dubai (GDRFAD), Emirates can match their facial image against their GDRFAD profile once the person registers. If the person does not yet have a GDRFAD profile, Emirates can create a temporary biometric profile to register consent for Emirates Biometrics. Once the person enters Dubai, the temporary profile will be converted to a GDRFAD profile and Emirates will use that next time they fly to and from Dubai. A GDRFAD profile is a digital profile created and managed by GDRFAD when a customer visits Dubai.

Read more about Emirates’ Biometrics

Download the Emirates App now for easy biometric registration and much more

For the second year running, Emirates has been voted as the Best International Airline by 9,000 frequent fliers in the hospitality industry, including luxury travel advisors and Forbes Travel Guides inspectors, with results validated using a star ratings system. Forbes detailed why Emirates was selected as the ‘Best International Airline.’

‘The secret to the Dubai-based airline’s success is that it continually refines every aspect of the passenger experience. For example, Emirates recently debuted an opulent lounge-like check-in area for its First-Class and Skywards Platinum members, and it’s the first autism-certified airline, with more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff trained to support travellers with autism.’

Echoing the same sentiment, Emirates was revealed as the ‘Best Long-Haul Airline’ at The Times and The Sunday Times Travel Awards 2025 – cast from 900,000 reader votes. This award was credited to Emirates for its ‘cabin crew service, First Class suites (including showers) and fleet of roomy Airbus A380s.’ The Times also mentioned that Emirates continues to expand its footprint and has ‘connected the Middle East to five new destinations this year, including Shenzhen in southern China' and 'Siem Reap, the entry point to the Angkor Wat complex in Cambodia.’

Emirates also recently scored 87.86 in the Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards Best Airline Category, as well as winning the title of Middle East's leading airline brand at the regional finals of the World Travel Awards 2025.

Emirates takes first place for its First Class, across multiple awards

Emirates is the world’s largest operator of international First Class travel - offering 26,800 seats a week and the largest inventory of international First Class seats in the industry, entirely comprised of private suites. At the recent Forbes awards, Emirates also claimed ‘Best International First Class -Emirates First Class on the Boeing 777-300ER’ for its suites that ‘deliver sky-high luxury: floor-to-ceiling doors, zero-gravity seats, Bulgari fragrances and food—ranging from movie snacks to caviar’, as well as ‘extras like chauffeured transfers, a service that helps passengers quickly navigate connections in Dubai and airport lounge access’.

Emirates was bestowed the title of Forbes’ ‘Best International Airline Lounge’ for its First Class Lounge in Dubai which offers ‘everything a traveller could need and more: delicious dishes ranging from baked John Dory to 72-hour braised beef short ribs, a cigar bar, bar, shower spas, a complimentary 15-minute spa treatment and plentiful areas to rest or work. Though arguably the best perk is the convenient direct boarding from the lounge.’

Emirates also won several more honours for its First Class offering at the World Travel Awards 2025 regional final - Middle East's leading airline – First Class and Middle East's leading airline lounge – First Class.

Earlier in 2025, Emirates was honoured with several awards including Best Long-Haul Airline at The Telegraph Travel Awards, 2025's Most Recommended Global Brand by YouGov, and multiple categories at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards, such as Best Airline Worldwide for the 12th consecutive year, Best First Class, Best Premium Economy Class, and Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East. Additionally, Emirates Skywards was named as the Best Global Airline Loyalty Program at the International Loyalty Awards 2025 and the World Travel Awards Middle East's leading airline rewards programme.

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With a colour combination that never wavers - Emirates’ cabin crew uniform is designed to be iconic and classic - standing the test of time, like the airline itself. With quality and durability as its most essential elements, Emirates rejects fast fashion and trends in favour of timeless style and sophistication.

Emirates cabin crew maintain their impeccable ‘Emirates look’ through a thoughtfully designed uniform that utilises nano-coated fabrics for stain and crease resistance, ensuring it stays immaculate even after long-haul flights. While the uniform style has evolved over time with strategic tweaks, the brand look remains strong, with practicality and comfort placed above all else - allowing cabin crew to maintain high standards of safety and deliver world-class hospitality to Emirates’ customers.

1985 – An iconic look is born

In the more-is-more fashion era of 1985, Emirates unveiled its first-ever cabin crew uniform for 80 crew members, in its signature brand colours of red and gold. Female cabin crew were presented with warm sandy-beige, round-bordered jackets with red piping around the edges, and subtle shoulder pads in keeping with the style of the time. Designed in a shade of sunlight on sand, the Emirates cabin crew uniform subtly symbolises the desert dunes of its home nation – the United Arab Emirates. The skirt at the time was cut straight, hanging just below the knee with one elegant pleat in the middle. Paired with a cream blouse and a red ribbon tied in a bow around the collar, the look was complete with a red hat featuring the Emirates Arabic logo and a white scarf. The logo in elaborate Arabic calligraphy and elegantly draped cream chiffon scarf reflect the local culture, featuring seven pleats to represent the seven Emirates of the UAE. In 1985, male and female Emirates cabin crew wore black leather shoes. Male cabin crew and pilots wore a classic grey suit with a red tie, white shirt and gold insignia.

1987 – Culture in tasteful touches

In 1987, Emirates introduced a refreshed look for female crew members. The uniform featured a double-breasted beige jacket with eye-catching gold buttons, a longer skirt with an extended pleat, a white blouse with a subtle Emirates logo pattern, and the signature red hat and veil. Gold remained an important accent to the Emirates look, featured on the very first Emirates aircraft livery and chosen because of its association with Dubai. Male crew members continued to wear the original 1985 uniform. For both winter and summer, all 180 cabin crew wore a pochette in the pockets that symbolised the flag of the UAE.

By the end of 1987, when Emirates was serving around 11 destinations including Amman, Mumbai, Cairo, Colombo, Delhi, Dhaka, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Karachi, London Gatwick and Male – the team decided to introduce a ‘Summer Safari’ dress for female crew, designed to be lighter and more comfortable for the warmer weather. Complete with structured shoulders, stylish front pockets and a red belt at the waist, the summer safari dress is still relevant in today’s styles. Female crew in First Class also wore a traditional Arabic dress called a ‘Thoub,’ to serve Arabic coffee and dates, adding a sophisticated cultural touch.

1997 -  Paco Rabanne bestows a designer eye

In 1997, Emirates collaborated with legendary Spanish designer Paco Rabanne, to redesign the uniforms and give them a modern, stylish update. The female uniform retained the classic beige and red colour scheme but featured updated cuts and fits in the clean aesthetic of the 1990’s, with the addition of brown bags and brown shoes. For female cabin crew, Rabanne designed a shapely skirt and blouse with a round neck and jacquard logo print, under a slimline jacket with a mandarin collar, while male crew members wore navy blue jackets paired with beige trousers and brown shoes. With a decade of successful growth behind it - Emirates had served 3 million customers, with 1500 cabin crew who showcased the clean lines of the uniform to more than 44 destinations.

2008 – Tailored for take-off, the Emirates’ signature style begins

The next iteration of the Emirates uniform was introduced in July 2008, to mark the arrival of the airline’s first Airbus A380. Designed by Emirates’ in-house team in collaboration with Simon Jersey, the updated look preserved the iconic beige and red colour palette for its now sizeable 11,000 cabin crew.

The female uniform saw the introduction of a subtle pinstripe, four kick pleats in the skirt revealing more signature Emirates’ red, and red trims throughout the suiting. The hat was redesigned, with the Emirates logo positioned on the side in a wing shape. Accessories like shoes, belts and bags were a slightly darker maroon red to complement the uniform’s trims and the iconic hat.

The male uniform was reintroduced in a rich, chocolate brown pinstripe with subtle red trim, complemented by a cream shirt and a striped tie in shades of gold, brown, and red – a luxurious reflection of Emirates’ success, as it now served 99 destinations throughout the globe.

2023 and beyond – Accents of red leather and shoes you can choose

As part of the continued evolution of the uniform, in 2023 Emirates began to offer female cabin crew a range of 15 shoe styles to personally choose from, catering to individual comfort and taste. The expansive range of Spanish-manufactured, 100% leather male and female shoes, offers a variety of heights, widths, shapes and styles, ensuring comfort, style and fit for every foot.

The latest edition of the female shoes were introduced with matching red leather handbags, and belts, in a brighter red colour than before, perfectly complementing the pleat of the skirt and the trim of the uniform – and leaning into the iconic red shade that has now become synonymous with Emirates.

Poised for even more growth, Emirates has found a fashion formula that works. The iconic uniform now empowers 25,000 cabin crew flying to more than 140 destinations to be ‘runway ready’ in every sense.

Diwali sweet treats across all cabin classes

Customers celebrating Diwali on these routes will be treated to a selection of sumptuous Diwali sweets. Premium Economy and Economy Class customers can savour a traditional treat of motichoor laddu with their hot meal – a traditional dessert of fried chickpea flour balls sweetened with sugar syrup, fragrant with cardamom and saffron and garnished with pistachios. First and Business Class customers will also be offered a Kaju pista roll, a creamy rose flavoured cashew and pistachio roll with dried fruits and nuts, encased in silver leaves.

Flavourful favourites in Emirates’ First & Business Class Lounges

In the Emirates First and Business Class Lounges of Dubai, customers can savour bursts of flavour with onion kachoris and paneer potli samosa, served with tamarind chutney and mint chutney, followed by sweet treats of mango sandwich and classic Diwali desserts- balushahi, sweet and spongey kesar rasgullas, and the beloved gajar ka halwa. First Class customers are invited to relax with a dedicated Diwali cocktail, the Spicy Saffron Martini, or enjoy the comfort of a Chai Chat Latte mocktail, while Business Class customers will enjoy a Diwali cocktail of Elderflower Gin Fizz or mocktail of Berry Basil Splash.

In the Emirates Lounges of Cape Town and Johannesburg where there are considerable Indian diaspora, travellers can feast on more delicious desserts with gulab jamun or traditional rice pudding, washed down with a refreshing mango lassi.

Endless entertainment on Emirates ice

Customers can spend their flight in a festive mood with up to 167 Indian movies including new and classic Bollywood like Laapataa Ladies, Crazxy, Jigra, The Lost Girl and Apurva. Award-winning inflight entertainment system ice also has a wide selection of Indian regional movies in 9 languages - Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Bengali and Gujarati, or customers can settle in to watch 14 Indian TV programmes including hits like The Traitors India and Love, Life, Lafde with Zakir Khan. For a Diwali ambience onboard, music fans can browse through 40 Indian albums and playlists.

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Emirates’ latest services and enhancements for customers with accessibility requirements

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

Emirates new Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on the flagship Emirates.com, is designed to contain all the information needed for accessible and inclusive travel, featuring accessibility-friendly navigation that allows customers to find information easily and explore the many ways that Emirates can provide travel assistance and support. Emirates’ Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub will continue to evolve and grow to meet customer needs.

Aiming to reduce anxiety before travelling, the Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub spent a year in development, resulting in a design that features a seamless visual style and thoughtful and user-friendly navigation options. To provide consistent, inclusive experiences, the website is built on a token-based architecture to enable seamless updates and simplified customization. Even the colour palette is rigorously tested for contrast compliance to support clarity and readability, and designs are tested with assistive technologies such as screen readers, voice control, and keyboard navigation.

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 - Apply for a Frequent Traveller Medical Card (FREMEC) for customers who have medical conditions or are 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.

The Emirates Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub has been cleverly designed so that it can be seamlessly and swiftly updated with new information and improvements, as accessible travel requirements continue to evolve. In the design and build of the hub, Emirates utilised inclusive research methods including engaging a diverse range of users including those with disabilities, in the usability studies.

New Sensory Products & Fidget Toys available onboard

Emirates has designed a range of sensory products and fidget toys for customers of all ages that will be available onboard in all cabin classes, from 1 November 2025. Sensory products and fidget toys are widely recognised for their ability to offer controlled stimulation for neurodivergent minds, allowing an overstimulated system to calm and rebalance. 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 will be given to passengers who are neurodiverse, anyone who is struggling onboard, and even to nervous flyers if appropriate.

New Mattress in Business Class to enhance comfort and minimise disruption

In Business Class, Emirates has introduced a new product and process improvement which will positively impact customers with accessibility requirements – a new ‘mattress hood.’ This is an enhancement to Emirates’ existing mattress for customers who wish to relax or sleep in Business Class – where the new mattress now has a built in ‘hood’ which attaches the mattress to the seat more firmly – similar to a fitted sheet. As the mattress is now more secure on the seat, it no longer needs to be collected by cabin crew before landing. For customers with severe mobility disabilities who prefer not to be moved mid-flight, this will be a significant improvement to comfort onboard. Emirates’ new mattress hood is approved as an exception from a safety perspective for take-off and landing.

New Accessibility Features on Inflight Entertainment – ice

Emirates is committed to setting industry standards and accessibility for people with disabilities and now offers over 600 movies with ‘Closed Captions’ and 200 movies with ‘Audio Description’, offering accessibility to 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 latest aircraft, the 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. This imparts best practice experiences for customers who are blind or with low vision, including audio-cue navigation assistance, voice metadata feedback, touch and swipe gesturing support and presents the large selection of audio-descriptive (AD) content available on ice.

Improved Barrier Free Access and Biometrics in Dubai

In Emirates’ hub of Terminal 3, Dubai International (DXB), a smart corridor has been 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 or have mobility issues.

The Emirates self-service check in kiosks have also been improved, with text to speech functionality, improved touchscreen usability, braille and tactile features, headphone jack for mobility and sight challenges, and the ability to self-adjust to accommodate the customers’ height.

Emirates Accessible Chauffeur Drive Service

Emirates also has a newly improved Emirates-branded wheelchair accessible vehicle which is now the prototype for a planned fleet of 10 vehicles, to be introduced by early 2026. The Chauffeur Drive vehicle is a Mercedes V250 Van featuring an electric wheelchair lift and ramp. The lift is a powered device which is designed to extend and lower onto ground level to safely raise the customer with their wheelchair into the vehicle in a seamless manner. 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 availing of chauffeur drive services based in Dubai, with plans to extend its availability in the future.

Research & Innovation - Initiatives for Accessible Travel

At Emirates,’ teams of innovation experts are dedicated to developing solutions for issues including Accessibility. The team has already produced several prototypes designed to benefit Emirates’ customers with accessibility requirements. One of the innovations that Emirates is exploring is a collaboration with Airbus, to make the cabin more accessible. Through the usage of a unique technology provider, the concept will facilitate independent travel for passengers who are blind or have low vision, using discreetly placed QR codes that can link to the customers’ phone and provide an audio description of the cabin and haptics to locate essential functions like seat rows, lavatories, emergency exits and even digital menus.

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 17 countries so far, 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.

The Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence is home to a myriad of elevated service trainings, modelled on Michelin star standards, including fine dining protocols, premium guest engagement and table service finesse. In 2020, Emirates began a collaboration with one of the world’s top hospitality management schools – the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland to establish a new elevated hospitality strategy, which was a resounding success. The Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence now stands as the emblem of this very strategy, inspiring cabin crew to deliver Emirates’ four pillars of hospitality in the sky - excellence, attentiveness, innovation and passion.

Thomas Ney, Emirates' DSVP of Service Delivery remarked: 

‘Emirates continues to uplift the ‘fly better’ experience for our valued customers. We have invested in the highest levels of luxury hospitality training for our cabin crew, enabling them to really relate to the customers they serve and create unforgettable signature moments. We are delighted to provide our crew with immersive training, allowing them to personally sample the cuisine, the beverages, the ambiance and ultimately, the hospitality Emirates is renowned for. This is how we empower world class cabin crew.’

Taking hospitality to new heights, the Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence offers a wide range of training and facilities for cabin crew engagement. Newly recruited Emirates cabin crew will be trained in the facility, as well as experienced crew – who receive refresher and upgrade training many times throughout their career.

Immersive fine dining experiences for Emirates cabin crew

A testament to the level of investment and detail invoked in Emirates’ cabin crew training, the Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence offers a unique opportunity for cabin crew to dine as guests and experience a gourmet 4-course gastronomy lunch. The fine dining experience is curated by Emirates’ master chefs, serving some of Emirates’ most celebrated First and Business Class dishes and signature meals. The cabin crew are personally served their meal by Emirates’ elite training team, to showcase the best of Emirates’ own 7 star hospitality, leading by example and modelling best practices to cabin crew. Emirates’ 7 star hospitality goals focus on enhanced coaching to cabin crew, to infuse their customer interactions with authenticity, personality, and connection.

Bespoke culinary sessions with Emirates Master Chefs

In the culinary hub of Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence, a purpose-built training kitchen has been designed as a fusion between a professional restaurant kitchen and an airline galley. In this area, Emirates cabin crew learn the art of plating from a team of experienced chef trainers. Balancing textures, colours and shape, cabin crew learn how to produce dishes that look like works of art on the plate, adding to the sensory exploration of dining with Emirates.

The Art of Service training

The Art of Service course is a communication-focused course that goes beyond refined techniques, introducing cabin crew to the deeper meaning behind fine dining. Beyond the impeccable handling of silverware, attractive plating and wine service, fine dining is a dialogue between the host and guest. This course encourages cabin crew to go beyond the basic service steps and tune into subtle cues, listen with intention, anticipate needs, and adapt their approach to create personalised experiences. It also focuses on developing their savoir-être - the art of presence, poise, and emotional intelligence, essential for engaging with Emirates diverse customers. This training is custom built by the Emirates’ team from extensive research and exploration across a variety of Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hospitality globally.

L'art du Vin Wine Training

Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence will also be the venue for hosting wine tastings and dedicated events led by expert wine trainers and sommeliers, building on the success of L’art du vin, Emirates’ wine learning experience for cabin crew.

The L’art du vin programme was launched in mid-2024 at Emirates Cabin Crew Training Centre, Dubai, taking place in a classroom that replicates a high-end lounge and offering three intensive wine courses tailored to varying levels of knowledge -  L'art du vin Introduction, L’art du vin - Business Class and L’art du vin - First Class. For each level of the course, Emirates cabin crew are invited to taste the spectacular Emirates onboard selection for themselves, while learning about the heritage of the wines, as well as how to expertly recommend food pairings to customers.

Emirates World Class Cabin Crew Training

The Centre of Hospitality Excellence is the latest addition to Emirates’ suite of state-of-the-art training facilities for cabin crew. Earlier in the year, Emirates also opened a new Crew Zone in Emirates Group Headquarters, Dubai - a dedicated 24/7 space for cabin crew. The Crew Zone provides educational workshops, tech zones, around the clock staff support, a beauty and wellbeing hub, an interactive lounge area, and more services to assist cabin crew.

Recruited from over 140 countries and speaking more than 70 languages, Emirates is proud of the exceptional service, safety and hospitality delivered by its cabin crew. Currently Emirates employs almost 25,000 cabin crew, all of whom have been trained at the esteemed Emirates Crew Training Centre in Dubai. The initial eight-week course covers all aspects of the role, including Corporate Onboarding, Safety & Emergency Procedures, Crew Resource Management, Group Medical, Aviation Security, Image and Uniform Standards, and Service & Hospitality Training.

Within the impressive facilities, cabin crew take part in both theoretical classroom sessions and practical experiences, many of which are in full motion simulators of all Emirates’ aircraft types. Throughout their career with Emirates, cabin crew receive ongoing training and a myriad of opportunities to upskill and advance their opportunities.

Emirates are actively recruiting cabin crew from around the world. For aspiring Emirates cabin crew, please check www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/cabin-crew for details and open day schedules in your city or country.

A ‘power bank’ is a portable, rechargeable device primarily designed to provide power to other electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets, laptops and cameras. Emirates customers are still permitted to carry one power bank onboard with specific conditions listed below, but the power banks may not be used while in the aircraft cabin – neither to charge devices from the power bank, nor to be charged themselves using the aircrafts’ power source. 

Emirates’  regulations for power banks onboard:

• Emirates customers may carry one power bank that is under 100 Watt Hours.
• Power banks may not be used to charge any personal devices onboard.
• Charging a power bank using the aircraft’s power supply is not permitted.
• All power banks accepted for transport must have capacity rating information available.
• Power banks may not be placed in the overhead stowage bin onboard the aircraft and must now be placed in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of you.
• Power banks are not permitted in checked luggage (existing rule).

Why is Emirates making this change?

After a comprehensive safety review, Emirates is taking a firm and proactive stance to mitigate risk when it comes to power banks onboard. There has been a significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years, resulting in an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents onboard flights across the wider aviation industry.

Power banks primarily utilize lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, and their function is as a portable battery pack designed to recharge devices on the go. The batteries contain lithium ions suspended in an electrolyte solution. The ions flow through the electrolyte, travelling back and forth between two electrodes as the battery charges and discharges. If the battery is overcharged or damaged, it may result in ‘thermal runaway.’ Thermal runaway in batteries is a self-accelerating process where heat generation within a battery cell exceeds its ability to dissipate heat, leading to a rapid and uncontrollable temperature increase. This can result in dangerous consequences like fire, explosions, and the release of toxic gases. 

Most phones and sophisticated lithium battery-powered devices have an internal trickle system which slowly adds current into the battery to prevent overcharging, but many basic power banks may not have this safeguard, increasing the risk. All power banks are subject to the new rules onboard Emirates.

Emirates new regulations will significantly reduce risks associated with power banks by prohibiting their use while onboard the aircraft. Storing power banks in accessible locations within the cabin ensures that in the rare event of a fire, trained cabin crew can quickly respond and extinguish the fire.

Safety is one of Emirates’ core values, and a cornerstone of all operations and practices. Emirates is committed to maintaining and improving levels of safety on an ongoing basis, safeguarding customers and staff at all times.

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Dubai, UAE: 25 September 2025 – 25 years of innovation, excellence and redefining the loyalty experience for more than 37 million members worldwide. Emirates Skywards, the award-winning loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, is celebrating its Silver Jubilee by giving back to its members with 25 days of prestigious prizes from 25 September – 20 October. From bonus Miles, surprise activities, to a whopping 25 million Skywards Miles raffle – the loyalty programme is marking its quarter-century milestone with unforgettable ‘fly better’ moments in the air and on ground.

Emirates has also announced it will unveil a bespoke ’25 years’ aircraft livery featuring a striking silver design to celebrate the loyalty programme’s Silver Jubilee. The special decal aircraft is set to spread its wings starting from next month, flying across to all corners of the globe.

Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, said: 

“25 years! We are thrilled to celebrate such a monumental milestone. Emirates Skywards is a true success story – one that was born in Dubai and has now become one of the most recognised and loved loyalty programmes in the world with millions of members based in the UK, US, UAE, India, Australia and beyond. 

Our success stems from always placing members first. Over the years, we listened, adapted, and innovated. We continuously introduced new, personalised offerings to create valuable and memorable rewards to our members worldwide. It has been an incredible journey made possible thanks to the trust and confidence of our members. Thank you for being at the heart of our story.  And what better way to celebrate than give back to our community with 25 days of nonstop surprises and offers– all while we take our loyalty message global with the special Emirates A380 ’25 years’ livery. 

Thank you to our partners, members, and dedicated team for making Skywards one of the most valued loyalty programmes in the world.”

25 days of giving back

Members can look forward to 25 days of exciting giveaways from 25 September – 20 October, including:

25 Million Miles Raffle draw: As part of a whopping 25 million Skywards Miles giveaway, members can enter the raffle for a chance to win 100,000 Miles or 250,000 Miles, with one lucky winner taking home 1 million Miles. Whether you're a longtime Skywards member or have just joined the programme - simply register and earn Skywards Miles between 25 September and 20 October with Emirates, flydubai and participating partners, to enter the draw and have a chance win.

Bonus Miles: members can boost their Skywards Miles in many ways

• 50% bonus Skywards Miles when booking with Emirates and flydubai.

• 25% bonus Miles just by booking with partner airlines, shopping, dining, or unwinding in the UAE with Skywards Everyday partners, shopping online on Skywards Miles Mall, booking through Emirates Skywards Hotels, using an Emirates Skywards Credit Card or spending with any participating travel and lifestyle partners.

• Up to 50% bonus Miles on an early bird ‘Buy or Gift’ Miles offer.

Surprise & delight at Dubai International (DXB): In early October, passengers travelling to and from Dubai Airport (DXB) can play interactive quizzes to win Skywards Miles, as well as get complimentary airport lounge access and Dubai Duty Free vouchers. Customers can also look forward to complimentary ice-cream served from branded ‘Skywards’ ice cream trucks as a refreshing treat. Activity kicks off in Terminal 3 from 1-5 October and continues in Terminal 2 from 8-9 October.

‘Spot the tag’: Arrive in Dubai and keep your eyes peeled for special tags placed on luggage at the baggage belts. You will be rewarded with complimentary lounge access, Emirates branded merchandise, and bonus Skywards Miles via Skywards Everyday, Skywards Miles Mall, and Emirates Skywards Hotels. The special tags will be appearing for customers in Terminal 3 from the 1-3 October, and for customers in Terminal 2 from the 8-9 October.

Exclusive surprises unlocked for longstanding premium members: Loyalty pays off! Long-term members who have consistently made the most of Skywards can look forward to even more exclusive surprises including Tier upgrades, cabin upgrades, exclusive anniversary goodies and more. 

Double the decade, close to 500X the growth

Since its inception in 2000, Emirates Skywards has grown at a rapid pace. The loyalty programme has achieved the following standout highlights;

Members

• More than 37 million members from more than 190 countries.
• From 76,000 members in its first year; to 37 million members in 2025 and growing!
• More than 78,000 new enrolments every week.

Partners

Emirates Skywards features more than 100 partners in the programme including:

• More than 1,400 flight destinations via Emirates, flydubai and other airline partners.
• More than 30,000 hotel properties.
• 20 Emirates Skywards Credit/Debit Cards.
• 37 Points conversion partners.
• Over 7200 retail and lifestyle brands.
• 5 Car rental partners covering 50,000 locations.

Earn & Spend

• More than 120,000 transactions earning Skywards Miles every day.
• Close to 400 billion Miles redeemed on upgrades and flight rewards since its first year.
• Over 800 Classic Rewards redeemed every day on Emirates.
• A total of 48 events have been offered for redemption to Skywards Members through Skywards Exclusives in the last 12 months, including unforgettable experiences at the FA Cup 2025 (UK), US Open (United States), Wimbledon (UK), Roland Garros (France) & Coca-Cola Arena (UAE)
• 1 upgrade reward on Emirates redeemed every minute!

‘Earn better’ and ‘Spend better’

Crowned ‘Best Global Airline Loyalty Program’ at the International Loyalty Awards 2025 – Emirates Skywards has topped the award charts for two decades with leading industry award wins. The programme offers four tiers of membership: Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with each tier earning exclusive privileges. Members can earn Skywards Miles with partners ranging from airlines, hotels and car rentals to financial, leisure and lifestyle brands. Skywards Miles can be spent on an extensive range of rewards, including flight tickets with Emirates and partner airlines, flight upgrades, hotel stays, and money-can’t-buy experiences.

Enter the Emirates Skywards 25 Million Miles Raffle

For more information, visit emirates.com/skywards.

South Africa, 19 September 2025: Following the advanced deployment of the retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft to both Cape Town and Johannesburg last month, Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, hosted a guided tour of the fully refreshed aircraft. The airline showcased its next-generation cabins, featuring the latest sophisticated design and South Africa’s debut of the highly acclaimed Premium Economy Cabin. Johannesburg and Cape Town are the first destinations in Africa to be served by the retrofitted Emirates Boeing 777, demonstrating the airline’s steadfast commitment to South Africa.

Key stakeholders from South Africa’s aviation and tourism sectors were in attendance, including Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro in Cape Town and Poppy Khoza, Director General South African Civil Aviation Authority in Johannesburg, along with Rashid Alardha, Emirates’ Vice President Commercial Operations, Sub-Saharan Africa and Afzal Parambil, Regional Manager for Southern Africa, Emirates.

Commenting on the deployment, Afzal Parambil said, “As we celebrate three decades of service to South Africa, our commitment to bring the latest and greatest to the market is unwavering. Over the years, we have built strong relationships with our customers and are proud to have a very high percentage of repeat passengers, particularly on long-haul travel to destinations in the Far East and Europe. The deployment of our refurbished Boeing 777 – our first in Africa – will further elevate the experience for these passengers, with the introduction of Premium Economy and our new Business Class experience. We look forward to welcoming travellers from South Africa on the refreshed Emirates Boeing 777 soon.”

A closer look at the refreshed Boeing 777

The refurbished four-class Emirates Boeing 777 features upgraded interiors with new design elements, including modern colour palettes, specially designed Ghaf Tree motifs, and wood finishes across all cabins. Each aircraft includes 260 latest generation Economy seats, 24 of the popular Premium Economy seats, 38 Business Class seats in 1-2-1 configuration and eight First Class Suites.

Economy Class is decked out with a calming ocean blue interior, and high ceilings, giving a greater sense of space and light. The cabin features the latest generation seats with generous legroom, to ensure comfort is the top priority.

The highlight is Emirates Premium Economy, introducing the much-lauded cabin to South Africa for the first time. Making luxury travel more accessible to a wider audience, Premium Economy offers an experience similar to Business Class on many airlines, with spacious leather reclining seats with full leg and footrests and adjustable headrests. It features 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 a globally exclusive sparkling wine - Chandon Vintage Brut 2017.

Emirates’ Boeing 777 Business Class cabin has also been redesigned, with seats set-up in a 1-2-1 arrangement to offer privacy, aisle access and space to work, lounge and indulge in restorative rest. Each seat is wrapped in champagne leather, matching the ones on the latest Emirates A380, with detailed stitching and soft cushioned headrests.

 Described as a hotel room in the sky, Emirates’ First Class Suites maintain the highest levels of comfort, privacy and luxury that passengers have come to expect from Emirates and now offer refreshed interiors.

Emirates’ industry-leading retrofit programme

First initiated in November 2022, Emirates’ USD $5 billion dollar retrofit programme is one of the largest known programmes in the industry, with 219 A380s and Boeing 777s slated for nose-to-tail upgrades to enhance the onboard experience for passengers.

The monumental project is handled entirely in-house by Emirates Engineering, with over 270 engineers and technicians work round the clock, devoting over 1,800 manhours each day to bring each aircraft to impeccable completion. To date, 67 aircraft have rolled out of Emirates Engineering – 32 A380s and 35 Boeing 777s.

Once complete, Emirates will have installed 8,512 next-generation Premium Economy seats, 2,034 refreshed First-Class suites, 12,720 upgraded Business Class seats with entirely new configurations, and thoughtfully overhauled 68,364 Economy Class seats. 

For more information or to book tickets, visit emirates.com, the Emirates App, Emirates contact centre, or via travel agents.