Inside Emirates’ kid-friendly travel hacks for 2025 summer holiday season
Free ice cream, strollers and play zones sweeten the airport experience.
DUBAI: As school holidays begin and families head abroad, Emirates is rolling out its most family-friendly offering yet – a full suite of summer travel perks designed exclusively for children flying in 2025.
With upgraded inflight entertainment, kid-centric meals, activity packs, and on-ground enhancements at Dubai International Airport (DXB), the airline is ensuring its youngest passengers travel in comfort and style.
From the moment kids arrive at the airport, Emirates is putting them in charge – almost literally. Families with children receive priority boarding at all international airports, allowing younger flyers to settle in early and explore their surroundings without the rush.
Inflight treats
Children travelling on most Emirates routes (excluding certain short-haul GCC flights) are served special meals designed for younger palates. Dishes include favourites such as chicken nuggets, mini burgers, mac and cheese, pizza, healthy snacks, sweet treats, and a choice of juices and water. Meals are served on colourful trays adorned with Emirates crew and pilot avatars – a fun touch to keep the experience engaging.
To help young flyers unwind, Emirates provides blankets and pillows in every class of travel, ensuring a restful flight whether it's nap time or movie time. Those who prefer to unplug from screens can request the airline’s ‘Fly with Me’ activity pack, which includes puzzles, world maps, drawing tutorials, colouring pages, and collectible cards.
Entertainment highlights
Known for its award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, Emirates offers more than 100 kids’ films and TV shows. Content partners include Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and CBeebies, featuring shows like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teen Titans Go, and Star Trek: Prodigy. A dedicated Wizarding World folder features 16 Harry Potter titles, and the Marvel selection remains a top draw.
Children can request soft, purple headphones designed specifically for smaller ears, enhancing their experience onboard. From August 1, Emirates will debut the animated film Chicken Jockey, available across the airline’s fleet.
Gamers can access up to 100 video games – some of which are multiplayer enabled and playable between seats. For those more inclined towards music, Emirates offers hundreds of channels and a Spotify playlist selection catering to fanbases from Swifties to BTS ARMY.
Ground experience at DXB
At Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport, Emirates continues to enhance ground services for families. Complimentary Emirates-branded strollers are available for toddlers and babies, with over 1,000 new Maxi Cosi units being added this summer. During peak periods, families can benefit from a dedicated check-in area, reducing waiting times.
On weekends (Fridays to Sundays, 12pm–6pm) until 20 July, four Emirates-branded carts will distribute complimentary ice cream to passengers departing from DXB. Choices include mango, chocolate, and strawberry, as well as passionfruit and raspberry sorbets.
Inside the First and Business Class Lounges at Concourses A and B, young guests can explore newly updated play zones, featuring PlayStations and arcade-quality video games.
Special services for unaccompanied minors
Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minors service caters to children aged 5 to 11 years travelling without an adult. From check-in to arrival, these young travellers are accompanied by dedicated Emirates staff. A specialised team member assists the child through immigration and security and hands them over to cabin crew at the gate. Upon arrival, another staff member greets the child and escorts them through the terminal to meet their guardian.
At DXB, an exclusive Unaccompanied Minors Lounge offers video games, Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, child-friendly washrooms, and a complimentary snack station.
Baby onboard options
Travelling with infants is made easier through several onboard offerings. Organic baby food, milk formula, and bottles are available upon request. Babies receive amenity kits including diapers, bibs, lotion, and changing mats. Parents can pre-book seats with bassinets for infants under two, or bring an approved car seat for added comfort.
DXB lounges also include mother-and-baby care rooms with feeding and changing facilities.
Collectibles and retail options
Children aged 7–12 can now collect a refreshed range of Emirates-branded bags — backpack, crossbody, and duffle – with a separate set for younger passengers. Travellers also receive keepsakes such as Polaroid photos taken by Emirates cabin crew, presented in limited-edition Emirates frames.
EmiratesRED inflight retail has added trending products targeted at kids and teens. Items include mini cameras, smart bands, Harry Potter-themed accessories, skincare products, and fragrances. Passengers can preorder with the code RED10 to receive a 10% discount.
Earning while flying
Young flyers aged 2–17 are encouraged to join Emirates Skysurfers, the airline’s loyalty programme tailored for children and teens. Members earn Skywards Miles on every Emirates and flydubai flight, which can later be redeemed for tickets, upgrades, and kid-friendly experiences.