8 December 2025

Emirates unwraps the magic of Christmas at 40,000 feet

This December, Emirates is spreading Christmas magic through every stage of the journey, inviting passengers to experience the warmth, surprise and imagination of the festive season from departure to destination.

As the airline prepares for more than 2.3 million departures and 2.5 million arrivals in the coming days, those flying with Emirates can expect generous touches of holiday spirit, with seasonal, winter-inspired menus in lounges worldwide and traditional flavors served at 40,000 feet.

Classic Christmas cuisine above the clouds
Throughout the month, travelers will be welcomed with signature festive treats, starting with an aromatic Christmas hot chocolate served in all cabin classes from 17 to 26 December.

From 24 to 26 December, passengers departing from Dubai will enjoy small festive delights such as dark chocolate truffles in Economy Class, handmade gingerbread cookies in Premium Economy and Business Class, and a raspberry Paris-Brest in First Class.

In First, Business and Premium Economy, the Christmas table gains an international gourmet dimension, beginning with starters such as beetroot-and-orange marinated salmon gravadlax, gently marinated herring with potato salad and quail egg, or smoked salmon with crab mayonnaise and salmon roe.

Main courses evoke the nostalgia of a traditional holiday dinner: classic turkey with jus, chestnut-and-turkey bacon stuffing, truffle gratin potato, caramelized chestnuts and Brussels sprouts. Additionally, on selected routes new creations are served, such as herb-crusted lamb shank with jus, red cabbage and pumpkin, duck confit with cranberry jus lié, and sage-butter roasted venison with blackberry sauce. For dessert, a range of festive sweets awaits, with First Class travelers receiving an extra chocolate Santa made from fresh strawberries and cream.

Economy Class passengers can enjoy their own Christmas meal featuring roast turkey, chestnut-and-turkey bacon roulade and maple-glazed parsnip, along with a traditional orange-scented fruit cake or a small mousse cake decorated with one of Santa’s reindeer, specially designed for young flyers.

In the A380 Onboard Lounge, the festive atmosphere continues with handmade treats such as mince pies, stollen, panettone, Christmas macarons, ginger profiteroles, dark chocolate ganache, cranberry financier, hazelnut-and-cranberry jars, biscotti and candy canes. For those who prefer savory bites, the Christmas sandwich with turkey, roast beef, cheddar, cranberry sauce and tomato-chili relish is the top choice. Guests may also use the new seasonal Emirates selfie props for the perfect holiday photo.

Festive flavors in style at Emirates lounges
From 15 to 31 December, Emirates’ First and Business Class lounges in Dubai transform into warm, winter culinary destinations, where guests can enjoy traditional roast turkey with jus and cranberry sauce, glazed chestnuts, root vegetables, Brussels sprouts and baby potatoes, accompanied by festive cocktails such as the Emirates Cognac Crème Panettone. The festive mood continues with a curated selection of champagnes: Moët & Chandon Ice Brut and Ice Rosé served with specially crafted sorbets, Grand Vintage 2016, Imperial Brut, Rosé Imperial and Nectar Imperial, paired with canapés such as foie gras bonbons and miso-pumpkin tart. Classic seasonal desserts — from traditional stollen and vanilla-scented mince pies to Emirates’ homemade apple pie with cinnamon ice cream or cranberry sorbet — complete the experience. Guests may also enjoy warm drinks such as gingerbread latte or Galaxy hot chocolate, created by Costa Coffee.

Across all Emirates lounges worldwide — from 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 timeless Christmas dishes tailored to each region.

A celebration of fine wines and champagnes
In the refined atmosphere of First Class, the festivities extend to the world of fine wine. Throughout December, Emirates presents the exceptionally rare Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2, 2006, a vintage known for its vibrant energy and subtle complexity, with aromas of mandarin, apricot, white pepper, passionfruit and mint. Two more rare labels from the Emirates exclusive cellar will also be served: the renowned Montrachet Grand Cru 2013 – Bouchard & Fils, and Château Montrose 2005, a powerful Second Growth from Saint-Estèphe.

In Business Class, passengers can enjoy a curated wine selection such as 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.

In Premium Economy, wines such as Tenuta Luce Lucente 2021 and Chablis Saint Martin Michel Laroche 2023 will be offered, while those seeking an even more festive touch may opt for the exceptional, Emirates-exclusive Chandon Vintage Brut 2018.

Delightful dishes for Orthodox Christmas
From 24 December to 8 January, Emirates celebrates Orthodox Christmas on flights between Russia, Cyprus, Ethiopia and Dubai. First and Business Class menus include starters such as Olivier salad, lobster tail with celeriac purée and Sevruga caviar, marinated herring or smoked salmon with crab mayonnaise. Main courses include duck confit with cranberry jus lié, herb-crusted lamb shank and a series of festive desserts such as white chocolate-and-mint mousse with cranberry compote or chocolate gingerbread with cranberry jelly. Economy Class passengers will enjoy Russian potato salad and Waldorf salad, barbecue chicken with chestnut-and-turkey bacon roulade or creamy beef stroganoff, and desserts like mint mousse with popping candy or traditional fruit cake with orange sauce.

Christmas movies and entertainment on ice
This Christmas, passengers can enjoy 39 holiday films on Emirates’ award-winning ice entertainment system, including new releases such as Tinsel Town starring Rebel Wilson and Kiefer Sutherland, and Dear Santa starring Jack Black, as well as beloved classics like Last Christmas, The Holiday, Elf, The Polar Express and the iconic 1964 Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Also available are 42 Christmas shows and specials, including The Great Christmas Bake Off, Royal Carols: Together at Christmas, Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas, the documentary Wham! Last Christmas Unwrapped and Strictly Come Dancing: Christmas Special. For those seeking festive music, albums and playlists by artists such as Sam Smith, Vince Guaraldi Trio, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald and others are available.

The gift-giving experience with Emirates
Travelers seeking last-minute gifts will find inspiration in the EmiratesRED 2025 winter catalogue, featuring more than 300 products from top brands such as Armani, Creed, Amouage, YSL, Kilian and Van Cleef & Arpels. The EmiratesRED pre-order service, available on most flights, allows passengers to place orders from 21 days to 40 hours before departure and receive their items at their seat. Those using the pre-order option receive a special 10% discount with the code RED10.

Emirates also offers a festive capsule collection at the Emirates Official Stores, featuring Christmas jumpers, matching family pyjamas, costumes, hats and winter mugs.

Double donations for children in need
With the “You Donate, Emirates Doubles” program, passengers can celebrate the true spirit of Christmas and spread joy through the Emirates Airline Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of children in need. Emirates will double any donation (up to 10,000 dollars per donation), further amplifying passenger generosity. Donations can be made in any currency, on any flight, using the envelope provided at the seat or via credit card, cheque, Skywards miles or bank transfer, either during the flight or from home.

Emirates’ presence in the Greek market began in 1996. Over the past 29 years, the airline has offered its unique services to more than 4.5 million passengers in Greece. As the first airline to connect Athens directly with Dubai, Emirates has, since March 2017, also offered the only direct, daily flight connecting Greece with the USA year-round. Passengers flying with Emirates can enjoy movies and programs across more than 5,000 channels on ice, the airline’s award-winning entertainment system. They can also enjoy the excellent hospitality and personalized service offered by Emirates’ international, multicultural cabin crew. Having begun operations with just two aircraft in 1985, Emirates is now the world’s largest international airline.