Dubai, UAE, 8 December 2025: Emirates is bringing festive cheer to the skies this December, inviting passengers to immerse themselves in the warmth, flavour and enchantment of Christmas throughout their journey. With more than 2.3 million departures and 2.5 million arrivals expected over the coming weekends, the airline is enhancing every stage of travel with seasonal touches — from winter-inspired menus in global lounges to cherished holiday favourites served at 40,000 feet.

Classic Christmas Cuisine Above the Clouds

From 17–26 December, customers across all classes will be welcomed with aromatic festive hot chocolate, setting the tone for a joyful journey. Between 24–26 December, those departing Dubai will enjoy special seasonal treats:

• Economy Class: dark chocolate truffles
• Premium Economy & Business Class: homemade gingerbread cookies
• First Class: decadent raspberry Paris-Brest pastry

In the premium cabins, Christmas dining takes on a global twist. Appetisers range from salmon gravadlax marinated in beetroot and orange to pickled herring with potato and quail egg salad, and smoked salmon with crab mayonnaise and salmon roe. Main courses showcase both tradition and creativity, including classic turkey with jus, chestnut and turkey bacon stuffing, truffle potato gratin and roasted Brussels sprouts. Select routes will feature dishes such as herb-crusted lamb shank, duck confit glazed in cranberry jus lié, and seared venison with sage butter and blackberry sauce.

Dessert offerings span a full constellation of festive sweets, with First Class guests also treated to an edible Santa Claus crafted from fresh strawberries and cream.

Economy Class passengers will enjoy their own Christmas feast of roasted turkey with chestnut and turkey bacon roulade, followed by orange-soaked fruit cake or a specially designed mini mousse cake featuring one of Santa’s reindeer.

Festive Cheer in the A380 Onboard Lounge

Onboard the A380, the celebrations continue with a selection of artisanal sweet treats — mince pies, stollen, panettone, festive macarons, ginger profiteroles, cranberry financier, biscotti and candy canes. A hearty Christmas sandwich featuring turkey, roast beef, cheddar, cranberry sauce and chilli tomato relish balances the menu. Guests can also enjoy Emirates’ new seasonal selfie props to capture the perfect festive moment.

Festive Flair Across Emirates’ Lounges

From 15–31 December, Emirates’ First and Business Class lounges in Dubai will transform into winter-warm culinary spaces offering traditional roasted turkey, glazed chestnuts, root vegetables, Brussels sprouts and festive cocktails including Emirates’ Cognac Crème Panettone. A curated Champagne line-up includes Moët & Chandon Ice Brut and Ice Rosé, paired with specially crafted sorbets. Canapés such as foie gras bon bons and miso-pumpkin tart, alongside classic desserts like stollen, mince pies, and homemade apple pie, complete the experience.

Guests can also indulge in gingerbread lattes and Galaxy hot chocolate crafted by Costa Coffee.

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

Celebrating the Season in South Africa

In Cape Town and Johannesburg, menus blend traditional Christmas flavours with 南African influences. Highlights include:

• Smoked trout with pickled grapes and zucchini
• Cranberry cream cheese balls, wild rocket and crisp crostini
• Smoked chicken salad with roasted pear, blue cheese and walnuts

Warm dishes range from butternut and ginger soup, rolled leg of lamb with mint and pistachio gremolata, orange and dill butter roast salmon, and creamy cranberry and mushroom braised chicken breast, to local favourites such as curried hake.

Seasonal sides include maple roasted baby carrots, Brussels sprouts with Macon and pecans, Yorkshire puddings, sea-salt rosemary potatoes, and mint mushy peas. For dessert, guests can indulge in chocolate log or cranberry and sultana Christmas pudding with vanilla anglaise.

Emirates’ seasonal wine programme also highlights select South African vintages, reinforcing the airline’s support for Africa’s renowned wine industry.

A Celebration of Fine Wines and Champagne

In First Class, Emirates will debut the rare Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2, 2006, alongside the Montrachet Grand Cru 2013 – Bouchard & Fils and Château Montrose 2005. Business Class guests can enjoy a refined selection including Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion 2010, Chateau Olivier 2010, Beaune du Chateau 1er Cru 2020, and Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2020.

Premium Economy customers will have access to wines such as Tenuta Luce Lucente 2021 and Chablis Saint Martin 2023, or may opt for the exclusive Chandon Vintage Brut 2018.

Festive Traditions for Orthodox Christmas

From 24 December to 8 January, Emirates will celebrate Orthodox Christmas on flights between Russia, Cyprus, Ethiopia and Dubai. Menus feature appetisers such as Olivier salad, lobster tail with Sevruga caviar, pickled herring, and smoked salmon with crab mayonnaise. Main dishes include duck confit, herb-crusted lamb shank, and a variety of festive desserts. Economy Class travellers can expect favourites such as Russian potato salad, barbecued chicken with chestnut roulade, creamy beef stroganoff, and peppermint mousse.

Holiday Movies and Festive Entertainment on ice

Travellers can enjoy 39 holiday movies on Emirates’ ice system, including Tinsel Town and Dear Santa, along with beloved classics like Elf, The Holiday, and The Polar Express. An additional 42 Christmas TV shows, seasonal specials and a variety of festive music playlists — from Sam Smith to Ella Fitzgerald — bring added cheer.

Gifts, Goodies and Giving Back

The EmiratesRED Winter 2025 catalogue offers over 300 gift options, with pre-order customers receiving a 10% discount using the code RED10. A festive capsule collection featuring Christmas jumpers, matching pyjamas, stockings, hats and mugs is available at the Emirates Official Store.

To share the true spirit of the season, Emirates continues its “You Donate, Emirates Doubles” initiative. The airline will match customer donations — up to $10,000 per contribution — to the Emirates Airline Foundation, supporting underprivileged children worldwide.