This December, Emirates transforms every journey into a festive celebration, inviting passengers to embrace the warmth, wonder, and whimsy of Christmas—from departure to destination. With more than 2.3 million departures and 2.5 million arrivals expected over the coming weekends, travelers can look forward to seasonal touches everywhere: winter-inspired menus in lounges, festive treats onboard, and holiday cheer at 40,000 feet.
Classic Christmas cuisine above the clouds
Throughout December, passengers will be greeted with the hallmark tastes of the season. From 17–26 December, all classes serve aromatic festive hot chocolate, while travelers departing Dubai 24–26 December will receive seasonal mini treats: dark chocolate truffles in Economy, homemade gingerbread in Premium Economy and Business, and a decadent raspberry Paris-Brest in First Class.
In First, Business, and Premium Economy, the Christmas table is reimagined with a global culinary lens. Starters include salmon gravadlax marinated in beetroot and orange, delicately pickled herring with potato and quail egg salad, or smoked salmon with crab mayonnaise and salmon roe. Main courses evoke a traditional holiday feast—classic roast turkey with jus, chestnut and turkey bacon stuffing, truffle potato gratin, caramelized chestnuts, and roasted Brussels sprouts—enhanced on select routes by chef-curated creations such as herb-crusted lamb shank, duck confit with cranberry jus, and seared venison with sage butter and blackberry sauce. Desserts feature a constellation of festive sweets, with First Class guests receiving an edible Santa Claus sculpted from strawberries and cream.
Economy Class passengers can enjoy roasted turkey with chestnut and turkey bacon roulade, maple-roasted parsnips, and a choice of orange-soaked fruit cake or a mini mousse cake shaped like Santa’s reindeer.
Festive indulgence in the A380 Onboard Lounge
The A380 Onboard Lounge extends the merriment with artisanal treats: mince pies, stollen, panettone, festive macarons, ginger profiteroles, dark chocolate ganache, cranberry financier, hazelnut and cranberry jars, biscotti, and candy canes. Savory bites include a Christmas sandwich with turkey, roast beef, cheddar, cranberry sauce, and chili tomato relish. Guests can also enjoy festive selfie props for the perfect seasonal photo.
Holiday flair in Emirates Lounges
From 15–31 December, Emirates’ First and Business Class lounges in Dubai become winter-warm culinary havens. Guests can savor traditional roast turkey with cranberry sauce, glazed chestnuts, root vegetables, Brussels sprouts, and new potatoes, complemented by festive cocktails such as Emirates Cognac Crème Panettone.
A thoughtful Champagne selection enhances the experience: Moët & Chandon Ice Brut and Ice Rosé with sorbets, Grand Vintage 2016, Imperial Brut, Rosé Imperial, and Nectar Imperial, paired with elegant canapés like foie gras bon bons and miso-pumpkin tarts. Desserts range from stollen and mince pies to homemade apple pie with cinnamon ice cream or cranberry sorbet. Guests can also enjoy gingerbread lattes or Galaxy hot chocolate by Costa Coffee.
Emirates lounges worldwide—from Australia to the USA—offer timeless Christmas dishes, thoughtfully adapted to local traditions.
A celebration of fine wines and Champagne
In First Class, guests can sip the exceptionally rare Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2, 2006, with notes of tangerine peel, apricot, white pepper, passionfruit, and mint. Two exclusive wines from Emirates’ cellar are also available: Montrachet Grand Cru 2013 – Bouchard & Fils and Château Montrose 2005, a Second Growth from Saint-Estèphe.
Business Class features a curated selection, including Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion 2010, Chateau Olivier 2010, Beaune du Château 1er Cru 2020, Two Hands Bella’s Garden Shiraz 2021, and Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2020. Premium Economy offers Tenuta Luce Lucente 2021, Chablis Saint Martin 2023, and the globally exclusive Chandon Vintage Brut 2018.
Orthodox Christmas delights
From 24 December–8 January, Emirates celebrates Orthodox Christmas on flights between Russia, Cyprus, Ethiopia, and Dubai. Menus in First and Business include Olivier salad, lobster tail with celeriac purée and Sevruga caviar, pickled herring, smoked salmon with crab mayonnaise, duck confit with cranberry jus, herb-crusted lamb shank, and festive desserts like white chocolate peppermint mousse with cranberry compote or chocolate gingerbread cake with cranberry jelly. Economy offers Russian potato salad, Waldorf salad, barbecued chicken, beef Stroganoff, peppermint mousse with popping candy, or classic fruit cake with orange sauce.
Festive movies and music onboard
Emirates’ award-winning ice inflight entertainment features 39 holiday films, including Tinsel Town, Dear Santa, Last Christmas, The Holiday, Elf, The Polar Express, and even the 1964 classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
There are also 42 Christmas TV 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, alongside playlists of holiday music from Sam Smith, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald, and more.
EmiratesRED: Gifts at your fingertips
The EmiratesRED Winter 2025 catalogue offers over 300 products from luxury brands including Armani, Creed, Amouage, YSL, Kilian, and Van Cleef & Arpels. Pre-order from 21 days to 40 hours before departure and have gifts delivered directly to your seat, with 10% off using code RED10.
A festive capsule collection of Christmas jumpers, matching family pyjamas, themed stockings, hats, and mugs is also available in the Emirates Official Store.
Doubling the joy for children in need
Through “You Donate, Emirates Doubles”, Emirates matches donations up to $10,000 to support children in need. Contributions can be made in any currency onboard or from home via envelope, card, cheque, Skywards miles, or bank transfer.
Source: Emirates
