Emirates Unwraps Christmas Magic at 40 000 Feet

This December, Emirates is sprinkling seasonal magic across every customer’s journey, inviting passengers to embrace the warmth, wonder, and whimsy of Christmas from departure to destination.

As the airline prepares for more than 2.3 million departures and 2.5 million arrivals in the coming weekends, those flying with Emirates can expect generous touches of festive flair, from winter-inspired menus in global lounges to treasured traditions served at 40 000 feet.

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 to 26 December.

Between 24 and 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. 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 feature classic turkey with jus, chestnut and turkey bacon stuffing, truffle potato gratin, caramelised chestnuts, and roasted Brussels sprouts alongside chef-curated creations on select routes such as herb-crusted lamb shank with jus, braised cabbage and butternut squash, duck confit glazed in cranberry jus lié, and seared venison with sage butter and blackberry sauce.

For dessert, a range of festive sweets awaits, with First Class guests also receiving an edible Santa Claus sculpted from fresh strawberries and cream.

Economy Class customers can enjoy 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, designed for younger travellers.

At the A380 Onboard Lounge, the festive spread continues with mince pies, stollen, panettone, festive macarons, ginger profiteroles, dark chocolate ganache, cranberry financier, hazelnut and cranberry jars, biscotti and candy canes.

Savoury highlights include a Christmas sandwich layered with turkey, roast beef, cheddar, cranberry sauce and chilli tomato relish. Guests can also use Emirates’ seasonal selfie props for festive photos.

Festive fare with flair across Emirates’ Lounges

From 15 to 31 December, Emirates’ First and Business Class lounges in Dubai transform into winter-warm culinary havens. Guests can savour 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 Champagne offering includes Moët & Chandon Ice Brut and Ice Rosé with custom sorbets, Grand Vintage 2016, Imperial Brut, Rosé Imperial and Nectar Imperial. Canapés such as foie gras bonbons and miso-pumpkin tart are served alongside classic seasonal desserts, including stollen, mince pies with vanilla sauce, homemade apple pie with cinnamon ice cream and cranberry sorbet.

Gingerbread lattes and Galaxy hot chocolate crafted by Costa Coffee are also available.

Across Emirates lounges in 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 festive dishes tailored to each region.

A festive feast with South African flair

In South Africa, Emirates lounges in Cape Town and Johannesburg will celebrate with menus blending Christmas classics and regional touches. Guests can enjoy smoked trout with pickled grapes and zucchini, paprika oil, pecan-and-chive cranberry cream cheese balls, wild rocket, honey, and crostini.

Smoked chicken salad with roasted pear, blue cheese, walnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette will also be featured.

Warm dishes include butternut and ginger soup with sourdough croutons, rolled leg of lamb with mint and pistachio gremolata, orange and dill butter roast salmon with broccolini, roast beef sirloin with gravy, creamy cranberry and mushroom-braised chicken breast, and curried hake with pickled red onions.

Seasonal sides include maple-roasted baby carrots with tahini-mint yoghurt, Brussels sprouts with Macon and pecans, rosemary baby potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, and mint mushy peas. Desserts include chocolate log and cranberry and sultana Christmas pudding with vanilla anglaise.

Emirates’ seasonal wine programme highlights select South African vintages across various routes.

A celebration of fine wines and Champagne

In First Class, Emirates will debut Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2, 2006, alongside Montrachet Grand Cru 2013 from Bouchard & Fils and Château Montrose 2005.

Business Class features wines including Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion 2010, Chateau Oliver 2010, Beaune du Chateau 1er Cru Bouchard Pere et Fils 2020, Two Hands Bella’s Garden Shiraz 2021 and Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2020.

Premium Economy includes Tenuta Luce Lucente 2021, Chablis Saint Martin Michel Laroche 2023 and the exclusive Chandon Vintage Brut 2018.

Delicious dishes for Orthodox Christmas

From 24 December to 8 January, Emirates will celebrate Orthodox Christmas on flights between Russia, Cyprus, Ethiopia and Dubai. First and Business Class menus feature Olivier salad, lobster tail with celeriac purée and Sevruga caviar, pickled herring and smoked salmon with crab mayonnaise, followed by duck confit, herb-crusted lamb shank and festive desserts.

Economy Class travellers can enjoy Russian potato salad, Waldorf salad, barbecued chicken with chestnut and turkey bacon roulade, creamy beef stroganoff and festive desserts.

Holiday movies and festive entertainment on ice

Customers can enjoy 39 holiday movies on board, including Tinsel Town, Dear Santa, The Holiday, Elf, The Polar Express and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

There are also 42 Christmas TV shows and holiday specials, as well as Christmas playlists from Sam Smith, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Ella Fitzgerald.

The art of gift-giving with Emirates

The EmiratesRED Winter 2025 catalogue offers more than 300 products from brands including Armani, Creed, Amouage, YSL, Kilian and Van Cleef & Arpels. Pre-orders receive a 10% discount using the code RED10.

Emirates also offers a festive capsule collection at the Emirates Official Store featuring Christmas jumpers, family pyjamas, stockings, hats and mugs.

Spread Christmas kindness with doubled donations

Through ‘You Donate, Emirates Doubles’, customers can support the Emirates Airline Foundation. Emirates will match donations up to $10,000 per donation. Donations can be made onboard or from home.