Emirates Flies High with Cryptocurrency Bookings

Dubai's flagship carrier Emirates has become the first major Gulf airline to accept cryptocurrency payments for flight bookings. The airline has launched Crypto.com Pay, allowing customers with a Crypto.com account to book flights using digital assets.

The rollout is the result of a 12-month-old Memorandum of Understanding signed between Emirates and Crypto.com in July 2025. Customers can now select Crypto.com Pay at checkout on emirates.com or the Emirates App, with transactions processed in compliance with UAE regulatory standards.

Eligible UAE residents can use the option for bookings priced and settled in Emirati Dirham (AED). However, the specific cryptocurrencies accepted have not been spelled out, so users will only be able to spend digital assets available in their Crypto.com wallet.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, described this as a generational shift, pointing to younger travellers who manage their money and plan their journeys primarily from their phones. He expects airlines to keep up with changing consumer expectations.