Emirates Brings Festive Magic to the Skies: Indulge in Luxury Christmas Feasts and Joyful Surprises This December

Published on December 8, 2025

This December, Emirates is bringing festive cheer to every journey, wrapping the holiday season in a blanket of warmth, joy, and enchantment. With over 2.3 million departures and 2.5 million arrivals expected in the coming weeks, Emirates is set to make every flight a Christmas celebration, complete with magical touches that will make passengers feel the festive spirit from take-off to landing. Expect everything from winter-inspired menus in luxurious global lounges to cherished traditions served 40,000 feet in the air.

Classic Christmas Cuisine Above the Clouds: A Feast for the Senses

Emirates is transforming every meal into a holiday feast, offering something special for every passenger. From December 17-26, customers across all classes will be greeted with aromatic festive hot chocolate, the perfect prelude to the Christmas season. For those flying between December 24-26, Emirates has prepared special seasonal treats. Economy Class guests will enjoy rich dark chocolate truffles, while Premium Economy and Business Class will receive homemade gingerbread cookies. First Class will indulge in a decadent raspberry Paris-Brest pastry, a sweet nod to the festive season.

In First, Business, and Premium Economy Class, the Christmas table is given a global culinary twist. Passengers can savor delights like salmon gravadlax marinated in beetroot and orange, smoked salmon with crab mayonnaise, or delicate herring with potato and quail egg salad. The main courses evoke the nostalgia of a traditional holiday feast, featuring classic turkey with chestnut stuffing, truffle potato gratin, caramelized chestnuts, and roasted Brussels sprouts. New creations, like herb-crusted lamb shank and duck confit glazed with cranberry jus, will also be available on select routes. For dessert, guests can enjoy festive sweets, including an edible Santa Claus sculpted from fresh strawberries and cream in First Class.

Economy Class passengers will enjoy a comforting festive spread of roasted turkey with chestnut roulade and maple-roasted parsnips, followed by a traditional fruitcake or a mini mousse cake featuring one of Santa’s reindeer, specially designed for younger travelers.

The A380 Onboard Lounge: A Festive Haven in the Sky

The holiday magic continues in the A380 Onboard Lounge, where festive sweet treats are abundant. Mince pies, stollen, panettone, macarons, ginger profiteroles, dark chocolate ganache, cranberry financier, and candy canes are just a few of the delights awaiting passengers. For those craving savory snacks, the festive Christmas sandwich, filled with turkey, roast beef, cheddar, cranberry sauce, and chili tomato relish, is the perfect choice. To add some extra holiday fun, passengers can take selfies with new seasonal props, creating the perfect holiday memory in the skies.

A Festive Feast Across Emirates’ Global Lounges

Emirates’ global lounges transform into winter wonderlands between December 15-31, offering travelers a taste of festive indulgence. The lounges in Dubai will feature traditional roasted turkey with jus and cranberry sauce, glazed chestnuts, root vegetables, Brussels sprouts, and new potatoes, complemented by festive cocktails like the Emirates Cognac Crème Panettone. Moët & Chandon Champagne, paired with specially created sorbets, completes the holiday experience.

Lounges across the globe, including in cities such as Hong Kong, New York, and Sydney, will offer a variety of regionally tailored Christmas dishes, so no matter where passengers are, they can enjoy the magic of the season.

Fine Wines and Champagne: A Toast to the Season

Emirates’ First Class passengers will toast the festive season with exceptional wines, including the rare Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2, 2006, which is known for its refined depth and luminous energy. Other exclusive wines served throughout the month include Montrachet Grand Cru 2013 and Château Montrose 2005. Business Class travelers will also have the chance to sample premium wines, while Premium Economy passengers can enjoy sparkling wine with a special festive touch—Chandon Vintage Brut 2018, exclusively available on Emirates flights.

Orthodox Christmas Celebrations

From December 24 to January 8, Emirates will celebrate Orthodox Christmas with specially curated menus on flights between Russia, Cyprus, Ethiopia, and Dubai. First and Business Class passengers will enjoy dishes such as Olivier salad, lobster tail with celeriac purée, and duck confit with cranberry jus. Economy Class travelers can indulge in Russian potato salad, barbecued chicken, and creamy beef stroganoff, finishing with peppermint mousse or classic fruitcake.

Holiday Entertainment: Christmas Movies and Music

Emirates’ renowned inflight entertainment, ice, will feature 39 holiday movies, including classics like Last Christmas, Elf, The Polar Express, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. A variety of Christmas TV shows and specials, such as The Great Christmas Bake Off and Royal Carols: Together at Christmas, will keep passengers entertained during their flights. For those in the festive mood, Christmas music playlists from artists like Sam Smith, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley will be available throughout the season.

The Art of Gift-Giving with Emirates

For those seeking last-minute gifts, Emirates offers the EmiratesRED Winter 2025 catalogue, featuring over 300 luxury products from renowned brands such as Armani, Creed, and YSL. The EmiratesRED pre-order service, available on most flights, allows customers to shop up to 40 hours before departure and have their purchases delivered directly to their seat. With a 10% discount on pre-orders using the code RED10, it’s the perfect opportunity to find a special gift.

Spread Christmas Kindness: Doubling Donations for Children in Need

In the true spirit of Christmas, Emirates invites its passengers to give back through the ‘You Donate, Emirates Doubles’ initiative. The airline will match any donation made up to $10,000, ensuring that contributions go even further. Passengers can donate in any currency, via credit card, cheque, Skywards miles, or bank transfer, either during their flight or from home, supporting the Emirates Airline Foundation’s efforts to improve the lives of underprivileged children.

Conclusion

Emirates is transforming the holiday season into an unforgettable experience, with a festive extravaganza that spans every aspect of the journey. From gourmet meals and holiday treats to fine wines, entertainment, and special gifts, the airline ensures that Christmas cheer is never far away. Whether in the skies or in the lounges, Emirates makes the season brighter, warmer, and full of festive joy.