Emirates, a major airline company, has recently announced their partnership with Singaporean cryptocurrency exchange Crypto. com, allowing customers to pay for tickets using digital currencies. This move makes Emirates the first airline to accept crypto as a form of payment for bookings.

Customers with a Crypto. com account can now choose the “Crypto. com Pay” option when booking tickets through Emirates’ website or mobile app. However, this option is currently only available to eligible residents of the United Arab Emirates who are booking and paying in Emirati dirham. It is unclear if and when this option will be extended to travelers outside of the UAE.

The partnership between Emirates and Crypto. com was established in July 2025, with the integration of payment methods being one of their shared goals. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, stated in a press release that this initiative aligns with the company’s commitment to providing customers with more payment options. He also acknowledged the growing preference of younger, digitally-savvy generations to manage their money and plan their travels through their mobile phones.

For customers using Emirates’ mobile app, they will be directed to the Crypto. com app to complete their payment from their wallet. Once the payment is made, they will then be redirected back to Emirates to receive their booking confirmation and e-ticket. On desktop, customers can select Crypto. com Pay as the payment option and scan the displayed QR code. They will then be prompted to approve the payment in the Crypto. com app before receiving their booking confirmation and e-ticket.

Emirates’ decision to accept digital currencies as payment is a significant step towards meeting the evolving needs of their customers. It also reflects the increasing adoption of cryptocurrencies around the world. With this new payment option, Emirates is providing their customers with more convenience and flexibility in managing their travel expenses.