Emirates Expands Ice Entertainment With Dubai+ Launch And Thousands Of New Global Viewing Choices

Starting from January, Emirates will provide Dubai+, its first Emirati channel on ice, to all its passengers. ice is Emirates’ inflight entertainment system. With this initiative, Emirates will provide more contents produced in the UAE, along with international movies and TV shows. Passengers will have access to cultural and educational contents and activities, both for children and for adults.

The new entertainment offering reflects Emirates’ continued focus on creating a richer onboard experience where passengers can explore local stories alongside global entertainment. Through Dubai+, travellers will gain access to a growing selection of Emirati dramas, comedy shows, documentaries, family programmes, live content and podcasts that showcase the creativity, heritage and modern identity of the United Arab Emirates.

Dubai+ joins a strong portfolio of international entertainment partners already available through ice, including leading streaming, news, lifestyle and children’s content platforms. The expanded library strengthens Emirates’ position among airlines offering one of the world’s most extensive inflight entertainment experiences.

Passengers across all cabin classes can now choose from thousands of hours of entertainment, including blockbuster films, television series, documentaries, music, podcasts, children’s programmes, live sports and educational content. The ice system provides access to more than 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment in over 40 languages, allowing travellers from different regions to enjoy personalised content throughout their journey.

Dubai+ Brings Emirati Stories To A Global Audience

The arrival of Dubai+ on Emirates ice introduces passengers worldwide to a dedicated collection of UAE entertainment created around local culture, storytelling and regional creativity.

Dubai+ is a digital entertainment platform featuring family-friendly programmes, live television, sports coverage and original productions that combine Emirati, Arab and international content. Its onboard debut begins with a selection of popular programmes featuring more than 20 hours of viewing across multiple episodes.

The first collection includes well-known regional productions such as Dara, Wadima w Halema and Dannoun. The catalogue features original Dubai+ productions alongside programmes from Dubai Television and Sama Dubai, with additional titles expected to be added regularly.

The partnership allows Emirates passengers from every continent to experience stories connected to Dubai and the wider UAE while travelling thousands of kilometres away from home. From traditional values to modern lifestyles, the content provides a window into the region’s culture, entertainment industry and creative development.

Alongside Dubai+, Emirates ice also features a dedicated Dubai and UAE category designed to highlight the country’s heritage, achievements and unique experiences.

The collection includes cultural documentaries, historical features and travel-focused programmes covering Emirati traditions, local arts, cuisine, agriculture and community life. These programmes offer passengers a deeper understanding of the UAE beyond its modern skyline and global business reputation.

Emirates Adds Premium Opera, Ballet And Classical Performances

Emirates is also expanding its cultural entertainment offering with the introduction of ice Opera House, a specially curated collection dedicated to world-class performances from leading opera houses, ballet companies and orchestras.

The new category allows passengers to enjoy complete performances during their flight, bringing internationally recognised cultural productions into the aircraft cabin.

The collection includes celebrated works such as Carmen, Don Giovanni, Madama Butterfly, Swan Lake and Cinderella. Classical music highlights include Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Bach’s Mass in B Minor and a tribute performance celebrating the music of composer John Williams.

Featuring productions from internationally respected organisations, including The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet and New York City Ballet, the collection provides passengers with access to some of the world’s most admired artistic performances.

Emirates plans to refresh the ice Opera House selection regularly, introducing new performances over time. Selected productions will also include multilingual subtitle options, allowing more passengers to enjoy opera and ballet regardless of language background.

Thousands Of Movies And Television Episodes Expand Passenger Choice

The latest entertainment season on Emirates ice brings a significant refresh of its film and television catalogue, offering passengers more opportunities to discover new releases alongside timeless favourites.

The airline’s movie library includes more than 3,000 films, covering Hollywood releases, international cinema, Arabic productions and feature documentaries. The television collection contains more than 4,500 episodes spanning multiple genres, including drama, comedy, family entertainment, documentaries and lifestyle programming.

New additions include a selection of recently released films arriving on board from October. Passengers can discover a wide range of cinema experiences, from major Hollywood productions to international titles.

The airline is also expanding its box set collection with dozens of new television series additions. These join an existing catalogue featuring globally recognised shows such as Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, The Night Manager, Bluey and Planet Earth.

Emirates passengers can explore hundreds of complete box sets available across the fleet, including many award-winning and critically recognised productions. The collection features programmes recognised by major entertainment awards, including the Emmy Awards, BAFTAs, Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards.

Iconic Cinema Classics Return In High Definition

Alongside new releases, Emirates is bringing back some of cinema’s most memorable productions through a specially curated classics collection.

The selection features carefully restored films available in 4K and high-definition formats, allowing passengers to revisit legendary movies with enhanced picture quality.

The collection includes acclaimed titles such as The Godfather trilogy, Citizen Kane, Lawrence of Arabia, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Sound of Music and Kill Bill.

By combining modern releases with historic cinema achievements, Emirates continues to create an entertainment library designed for passengers with different interests, age groups and cultural backgrounds.

Learning, Music And Live Events Add More Value Beyond Movies

The Emirates ice experience extends beyond traditional films and television by offering passengers opportunities to learn, explore and stay connected during their journey.

Language learners can access uTalk, an educational platform featuring lessons in 15 languages, including Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish and French. The programme allows travellers to develop useful language skills while flying.

Music enthusiasts can explore exclusive productions such as The Emirates Guide to the Organ, a dedicated programme that examines the history and development of the instrument through a detailed two-and-a-half-hour experience.

Passengers can also follow major sporting events during flights through live sports coverage available across much of Emirates’ fleet. The offering includes major competitions such as the Premier League, US Open, Formula 1, UEFA Champions League and DP World Tour.

Families travelling with children also receive extensive entertainment options. Young passengers can enjoy dedicated children’s programmes, specially selected content and up to 100 video games designed for different age groups. Emirates also provides specially designed children’s headphones to improve comfort during flights.

Next Generation Ice Technology Creates A More Personalised Journey

Emirates is continuing to invest in the future of its ice entertainment system by introducing new technology features designed to improve passenger comfort and accessibility.

The latest generation of ice includes advanced display technology with 4K and 4K HDR screens, offering sharper images and enhanced viewing quality. The system also introduces iceMoments, a short-form video feature that helps passengers discover entertainment options quickly.

Additional improvements include eye comfort mode, enhanced live television capabilities, spatial audio technology and dedicated children’s entertainment features.

These upgrades support Emirates’ wider strategy of combining premium cabin technology with personalised digital experiences.

High-Speed Connectivity Complements The Expanded Entertainment Platform

The onboard entertainment upgrade comes alongside Emirates’ wider investment in passenger connectivity.

The airline is progressively introducing Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi across its fleet, enabling passengers to remain connected throughout their journey. More aircraft are being equipped with the service as Emirates expands access to faster onboard internet.

The combination of extensive entertainment choices and improved connectivity creates a more complete digital travel experience, allowing passengers to watch, communicate, work and relax during flights.

Emirates is also introducing new-generation Bowers & Wilkins noise-cancelling First Class headphones across its fleet. The premium audio equipment is expected to become available on the majority of aircraft by the end of 2026, further enhancing the premium travel experience.

With Dubai+ joining its growing entertainment ecosystem, Emirates continues to strengthen ice as more than a simple inflight movie system. The platform is evolving into a global digital entertainment hub that connects passengers with local culture, international creativity, education, sports and premium storytelling throughout their journey.