Emirates airline introduces crypto payment option for UAE residents

Emirates airline has added a cryptocurrency payment method to its website and mobile app, using Crypto.com Pay. The service is limited to eligible residents of the United Arab Emirates and only for bookings priced in Emirati dirhams. When a passenger pays with crypto, the tokens are instantly converted to AED and transferred to the airline’s fiat accounts; Emirates does not hold any cryptocurrency itself.

The checkout process requires customers to confirm the transaction through the Crypto.com app or a QR‑code scan, adding extra steps compared to standard card payments. Crypto.com’s Dubai subsidiary, which holds a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) licence from the UAE Central Bank, is the sole provider able to offer this regulated crypto‑to‑fiat rail in the country. The launch aligns with Dubai’s cashless‑strategy initiatives aimed at digitising a large share of financial transactions by the end of 2026.