Emirates to Accept Cryptocurrency Payments Through Crypto.com Partnership for Flight Bookings

Emirates has launched its first regulated digital asset payment solution, integrating it into its booking platform and now accepting cryptocurrency payments for flights. The feature is now available to UAE residents able to make ticket reservations through emirates.com or the Emirates mobile App with a secure AED payment system.

The launch is the result of a MoU signed between Emirates and Crypto.com in July 2025, to enable their partnership to integrate the Crypto.com Pay platform into the airline’s digital payment system. The new service underscores the airline’s continued efforts to provide passengers with more flexible payment options in an increasingly digital world.

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New Way to Pay for Emirates Flights

Customers who have an account on Crypto.com can now opt in to use Crypto.com Pay at checkout when they book eligible flights. Bookings made this time will be available via the payment option at prices and settlement in AED, which meet the UAE regulatory requirements.

Emirates states that this is to respond to the preference of younger generations seeking to how they spend more of their daily finances with a wallet on their mobile device.

How Crypto.com Pay Works?

It differs depending on how customers already book their hotels, it can be done through the Emirates app or website.

When a mobile booking is requested by customers choosing Crypto.com Pay, they are guided to the Crypto.com app to confirm the booking from their wallet. Once payment is made they are immediately transferred back to the Emirates app and their booking confirmation and e-ticket issued.

For desktop bookings, checkout with Crypto.com Pay for the customer and prompt them to scan the QR code on the checkout page using the Crypto.com app, approve and they will get their booking confirmation immediately after a successful customer payment.

Supporting Dubai’s Cashless Vision

The Dubai Cashless Strategy under the D33 Economic Agenda is designed until the end of 2026, to reach 90% digitalisation at all financial transactions made by citizens, both in the public organisations and in the private sector.

It also further reinforces Emirates’ overall digital payments strategy and follows their partnerships with Dubai Finance to incorporate crypto regulation elements into the system, as well as Crypto.com’s current growing footprint in Dubai’s regulated virtual asset ecosystem.

Regulated Digital Payment Solution

Crypto.com’s Dubai Virtual Asset Service Provider unit provides the payment service, which is the company’s first to obtain a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) licence from the Central Bank of the UAE. This will keep transactions within the country’s regulatory framework for D-FS.

The alliance addresses each level of innovation in payment methods while maintaining robust security and compliance with regulatory standards, which builds trust for tourists and visitors while making it easier to buy travel with cryptocurrency, Emirates claims.

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