Emirates to Accept Bitcoin Payments

The news was revealed by Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer, Adel Ahmed Al Redha, during a media briefing at the Arabian Travel Market, a leading international travel trade exhibition. Al Redha also confirmed that the airline is actively recruiting new staff to lead its blockchain-related initiatives, which include cryptocurrency payments, metaverse integration, and NFT development.

These projects are part of a broader digital transformation strategy aimed at enhancing customer engagement, improving operational efficiency, and making staff training and digital interactions more immersive.

Although no specific launch dates were provided, Al Redha stated that Emirates is making a significant financial commitment to these digital innovation efforts. In April, the airline disclosed its intention to invest “tens of millions of dollars” in the development of metaverse experiences and both collectible and utility-driven NFTs, with initial launches expected in the coming months.

Beyond customer-facing innovations, Emirates also plans to utilise blockchain technology to streamline internal processes, such as tracking aircraft maintenance and service records.

The airline's move comes amid a broader embrace of digital assets across Dubai. The city’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) recently announced its entry into the metaverse by purchasing land in The Sandbox, where it plans to establish a virtual headquarters named “MetaHQ”.

While Emirates is not the first airline to accept cryptocurrency, its adoption of Bitcoin marks a notable step for the aviation industry in the Middle East. Latvian airline airBaltic became the world’s first carrier to accept Bitcoin for ticket purchases back in 2014 and has since expanded to include Ether and Dogecoin. Meanwhile, in 2021, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele announced that low-cost airline Volaris El Salvador would begin accepting Bitcoin—though that initiative has yet to materialise.

As Emirates forges ahead with its blockchain ambitions, it joins a growing number of global brands integrating digital assets and virtual experiences into their core strategies.