Flying through Dubai this December? Emirates unwraps Christmas magic at 40,000 feet
Seasonal surprises span lounges, cabins, wines and gifts
DUBAI – Emirates is marking the Christmas season with an extensive festive offering across its global network, bringing seasonal menus, winter-themed lounges, special entertainment and exclusive wines to tens of thousands of passengers travelling in December.
The carrier expects more than 2.3 million departures and 2.5 million arrivals in the coming weekends, and has layered Christmas-inspired details throughout the journey for customers flying to and from Dubai and beyond.
From 40,000 feet in the air to airport lounges on several continents, the airline is spotlighting traditional flavours, regional classics, gourmet dishes, family entertainment and curated gifts. The roll-out spans all cabins, from Economy to First Class, and includes dedicated options for Orthodox Christmas on select routes.
Seasonal treats
Across all cabins, Christmas flavours take centre stage. Travellers will be welcomed with aromatic festive hot chocolate between 17 and 26 December. From 24 to 26 December, passengers departing Dubai can expect additional seasonal surprises. These include dark chocolate truffles in Economy Class, homemade gingerbread cookies in Premium Economy and Business Class, and a raspberry Paris-Brest pastry in First Class.
Premium cabins introduce an elevated festive dining experience. Starters range from salmon gravadlax marinated in beetroot and orange to delicately pickled herring with potato and quail egg salad. Some routes will feature smoked salmon topped with crab mayonnaise and salmon roe. The main courses capture the essence of a classic Christmas dinner, including turkey with jus, chestnut and turkey bacon stuffing, truffle potato gratin, caramelised chestnuts and roasted Brussels sprouts.
Passengers on select routes will also encounter chef-curated dishes such as herb-crusted lamb shank with jus, braised cabbage and butternut squash, duck confit finished with cranberry jus lié, and venison served with sage butter and blackberry sauce. Dessert options bring a festive flair, including First Class plates featuring an edible Santa crafted from fresh strawberries and cream.
Economy Class customers will be served roasted turkey with chestnut and turkey bacon roulade, complemented by maple-roasted parsnips. Sweets include orange-soaked traditional fruit cake or a mini mousse cake designed with one of Santa’s reindeer for younger passengers.
In the A380 Onboard Lounge, customers will find an abundance of sweet and savoury festive options. These include mince pies, stollen, panettone, festive macarons, ginger profiteroles, cranberry financiers, hazelnut and cranberry jars, biscotti and candy canes. A Christmas sandwich made with turkey, roast beef, cheddar, cranberry sauce and chilli tomato relish adds a hearty savoury choice. Seasonal selfie props are available for customers wishing to capture a Christmas-themed snapshot onboard.
Lounge delights
Dubai’s Emirates lounges will transform into winter-inspired culinary spaces from 15 to 31 December. First and Business Class lounges will offer roasted turkey with jus, cranberry sauce, glazed chestnuts, root vegetables, Brussels sprouts and new potatoes. These dishes will be joined by signature festive cocktails such as the airline’s Cognac Crème Panettone.
Seasonal desserts include traditional stollen, mince pies with vanilla sauce and Emirates’ homemade apple pie served with cinnamon ice cream or cranberry sorbet. Lounge visitors may also pick from gingerbread lattes and Galaxy hot chocolate crafted by Costa Coffee.
Emirates lounges worldwide will share in the celebrations, with menus in regions including Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, the UK and the USA. Each lounge adapts the festive selection to local tastes while maintaining a recognisable Christmas theme.
Drinks selection
In First Class, the month brings a focus on premium wines. Emirates will present Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2, 2006, celebrated for its depth, vibrancy and aromas of tangerine peel, apricot, white pepper, passionfruit and mint. Two additional wines from the airline’s exclusive cellar will be available: the Montrachet Grand Cru 2013 – Bouchard & Fils, regarded as one of the rarest wines served onboard any airline, and Château Montrose 2005, a distinguished Second Growth from Saint-Estèphe.
In Business Class, passengers can sample several notable labels, including Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion 2010, Chateau Olivier 2010, 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 have a choice of wines such as Tenuta Luce Lucente 2021 and Chablis Saint Martin Michel Laroche 2023. A sparkling wine exclusive to Emirates, Chandon Vintage Brut 2018, offers an additional celebratory option.
Champagne also plays a central role, with Moët & Chandon Ice Brut and Ice Rosé paired with special sorbets. Guests will also be able to sample Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2016, Imperial Brut, Rosé Imperial and Nectar Imperial, served alongside canapés such as foie gras bon bons and miso–pumpkin tart.
Orthodox Christmas
From 24 December to 8 January, Emirates will mark Orthodox Christmas across flights linking Dubai with Russia, Cyprus and Ethiopia. In First and Business Class, appetisers include Olivier salad, lobster tail with celeriac purée and Sevruga caviar, pickled herring or smoked salmon with crab mayonnaise. Main courses feature duck confit with cranberry jus lié and herb-crusted lamb shank with jus. Desserts include white chocolate and peppermint mousse cake with cranberry compote or chocolate gingerbread cake with cranberry jelly.
Economy Class Orthodox Christmas dishes include Russian potato salad and Waldorf salad as appetisers, followed by barbecued chicken with chestnut and turkey bacon roulade or creamy beef stroganoff. Dessert choices range from peppermint mousse with popping candy to classic fruit cake with orange sauce.
Entertainment and gifts
This year’s Christmas entertainment line-up includes 39 holiday films available on the airline’s inflight entertainment system, ice. Highlights include Tinsel Town starring Rebel Wilson and Kiefer Sutherland, and Dear Santa featuring Jack Black. Long-time favourites such as Last Christmas, The Holiday, Elf, The Polar Express and the 1964 classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer are also part of the collection.
Passengers can enjoy 42 Christmas television shows and specials, including The Great Christmas Bake Off, Royal Carols: Together at Christmas, Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas, Wham! Last Christmas Unwrapped and Strictly Come Dancing: Christmas Special. Music offerings include Christmas albums from Sam Smith, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Elvis Presley and the Vince Guaraldi Trio.
For those seeking gifts before landing, the EmiratesRED Winter 2025 catalogue offers more than 300 items from major brands such as Armani, Creed, Amouage, YSL, Kilian and Van Cleef & Arpels. The pre-order service, available on most flights, allows customers to buy up to 40 hours before departure, with pre-orders receiving a 10% discount using the code RED10.
The Emirates Official Store has released a festive capsule collection featuring Christmas jumpers, matching pyjamas for families, stockings, hats and themed mugs.
Donations and charity
This year’s celebrations also incorporate a charitable component. Through the ‘You Donate, Emirates Doubles’ initiative, the airline will match any customer donation to the Emirates Airline Foundation up to $10,000 per donation. Contributions can be made in any currency via the inflight envelope system, or through credit card, cheque, Skywards miles or bank transfer.