Emirates Introduces Festive Experiences Onboard and in Lounges This December
This December, Emirates is rolling out seasonal experiences across the travel journey, offering customers festive touches from departure to arrival. As the airline prepares for increased travel activity, passengers can expect winter-themed menus, seasonal treats, and holiday entertainment onboard and in lounges worldwide.
Festive Menus Onboard
Throughout the month, customers will be offered festive hot chocolate in all cabins from 17 to 26 December. Between 24–26 December, passengers departing Dubai will receive seasonal treats—dark chocolate truffles in Economy Class, gingerbread cookies in Premium Economy and Business Class, and a raspberry Paris-Brest pastry in First Class.
In First, Business, and Premium Economy Class, the Christmas menu includes dishes such as salmon gravadlax marinated in beetroot and orange, pickled herring with potato and quail egg salad, and smoked salmon with crab mayonnaise and salmon roe. Main courses feature turkey with jus, chestnut and turkey bacon stuffing, truffle potato gratin, caramelised chestnuts, and roasted brussels sprouts. Select routes will offer additional dishes like herb-crusted lamb shank, duck confit glazed in cranberry jus lié, and seared venison with sage butter and blackberry sauce. Festive desserts include seasonal pastries, with First Class guests receiving an edible Santa Claus made from fresh strawberries and cream.
Economy Class customers will be served roasted turkey with chestnut and turkey bacon roulade and maple-roasted parsnips, followed by a traditional fruit cake or a mousse cake themed for young travellers.
In the A380 Onboard Lounge, treats include mince pies, stollen, panettone, festive macarons, ginger profiteroles, dark chocolate ganache, cranberry financier, biscotti, and candy canes. Guests can also enjoy a Christmas sandwich of turkey, roast beef, cheddar, cranberry sauce and chilli tomato relish. Seasonal selfie props will be available for photos.
Festive Lounges in Dubai and Worldwide
From 15–31 December, Emirates’ First and Business Class lounges in Dubai will offer roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, and glazed chestnuts, paired with seasonal cocktails and Champagne options, including Moët & Chandon Ice Brut and Ice Rosé. Desserts include traditional stollen, mince pies, apple pie with cinnamon ice cream, and cranberry sorbet. Seasonal drinks such as gingerbread lattes and Galaxy hot chocolate will also be served.
Emirates lounges across Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, the UK and the USA will offer Christmas dishes adapted to each region.
Wines and Beverages for the Season
In First Class, Emirates will feature Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2, 2006, alongside two wines from its cellar: Montrachet Grand Cru 2013 – Bouchard & Fils and Château Montrose 2005. Business Class customers will be offered selected wines, including Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion 2010 and Two Hands Bella’s Garden Shiraz 2021. Premium Economy customers will have options such as Tenuta Luce Lucente 2021, Chablis Saint Martin Michel Laroche 2023, and Chandon Vintage Brut 2018.
Orthodox Christmas Offerings
From 24 December to 8 January, Emirates will offer seasonal menus on flights between Russia, Cyprus, Ethiopia and Dubai. First and Business Class menus include options such as Olivier salad, lobster tail with celeriac purée, pickled herring, and smoked salmon with crab mayonnaise, followed by duck confit, lamb shank, and desserts such as white chocolate and peppermint mousse cake. Economy Class customers will have items such as potato or Waldorf salad, barbecue chicken, beef stroganoff, and peppermint mousse.
Festive Entertainment
Customers can enjoy 39 holiday-themed movies on the in-flight entertainment system, including new releases and classics such as Elf, The Holiday, Last Christmas and The Polar Express. There are also 42 Christmas TV shows and specials, along with holiday music from artists such as Sam Smith, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Elvis Presley.
Gift Options Onboard
Travellers can browse the EmiratesRED Winter 2025 catalogue, featuring over 300 products from brands including Armani, Creed, Amouage, YSL, Kilian and Van Cleef & Arpels. Pre-orders are available up to 40 hours before departure with a 10% discount using the code RED10. A festive capsule collection—including jumpers, pyjamas, stockings and mugs—is also available at the Emirates Official Store.
Charitable Giving
Through the “You Donate, Emirates Doubles” initiative, the airline will match customer donations to the Emirates Airline Foundation up to USD 10,000 per individual donation. Contributions can be made in any currency onboard or via multiple payment methods.
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