Emirates has become one of the first global airlines to accept cryptocurrency payments, officially rolling out Crypto.com Pay across its website and mobile app.
The move lets eligible customers in the UAE book flights using their digital wallets, marking a major step in the airline's push toward flexible, tech-driven payment options.
Customers with a Crypto.com account can now select Crypto.com Pay at checkout on emirates.com and the Emirates App. The service is available to eligible UAE residents for bookings priced and settled in AED, with all transactions processed in line with UAE regulatory standards.
The rollout brings to life a partnership first announced in July 2025, when Emirates and Crypto.com signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore integrating the payment platform into the airline's systems. Just a year later, that vision has become a working feature for customers.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said the launch reflects a shift toward customer choice and the habits of a younger, mobile-first generation of travelers.
Eric Anziani, President and Chief Operating Officer at Crypto.com, called the partnership a milestone for the company's Pay feature and a reflection of the UAE's openness to innovation.
The payment process differs slightly by platform. On mobile, users are redirected to the Crypto.com app to complete payment before returning to the Emirates App for their booking confirmation. On desktop, customers scan a QR code and approve the transaction through their Crypto.com app before receiving their e-ticket.
The integration runs through Crypto.com's Dubai entity, the first Virtual Asset Service Provider to receive a Stored Value Facilities licence from the Central Bank of the UAE.
The launch also supports Dubai's Cashless Strategy under the D33 Economic Agenda, which targets 90 percent digital financial transactions across government and private sectors by the end of 2026.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
