Emirates is bringing the vibrant spirit of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, to its flights and airport lounges with traditional Indian delicacies, festive dining experiences and a special selection of Bollywood movies, television programs and music. The celebrations will offer passengers travelling between Dubai and nine Indian destinations a taste of the festival, combining traditional flavours with cultural entertainment throughout their journey.
Scheduled for November 7 and 8, 2026, the onboard celebrations will cover flights connecting Dubai with Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata and Mumbai. The airline is also extending the festivities to selected lounges in Dubai, Cape Town and Johannesburg, creating a festive atmosphere for travellers during one of India’s most widely celebrated festivals.
Traditional Indian Sweets Bring Diwali Flavours to Every Cabin
Passengers travelling between Dubai and India will be welcomed with special Diwali sweets across all cabin classes. Premium Economy and Economy Class customers will receive motichoor laddu alongside their hot meals, a traditional Indian sweet made from tiny chickpea flour pearls soaked in sugar syrup and flavoured with cardamom and saffron, with pistachios adding a finishing touch.
Passengers in First and Business Class will have the opportunity to enjoy kaju pista roll, a rich confection prepared with cashews, pistachios, dried fruits and nuts, complemented by rose flavour and edible silver leaf. Through these festive treats, Emirates aims to bring familiar Indian celebration flavours into the inflight dining experience.
Dubai Lounges Feature Special Diwali Menus and Festive Drinks
From November 3 to 8, Emirates’ First and Business Class Lounges in Dubai will feature a selection of Indian specialities and traditional desserts. The menu will include popular savoury dishes such as vada pav, accompanied by tamarind and mint chutneys, alongside sweets including malai sandwich, mango delight, malai roll and gajar ka halwa. The festive spread will bring familiar Indian flavours to travellers, adding a special touch to the airport dining experience during the Diwali celebrations.
First Class customers will also be able to enjoy specially prepared festive beverages, including the Spicy Saffron Martini and the non alcoholic Iced Masala Cooler. Meanwhile, Business Class Lounges will serve vegetable keema samosa, onion kachori and paneer potli samosa, followed by traditional desserts such as balushahi, mango rajbhog and mini kesari rasgullas. These specially curated menus will give premium-class passengers an opportunity to enjoy a variety of regional Indian flavours and festive treats before their journeys.
Diwali Celebrations Extend to International Emirates Lounges
The festive experience will also reach Emirates lounges in Cape Town and Johannesburg, where travellers can enjoy a selection of traditional Indian sweets. The special offerings will include coconut ice, barfi and jalebi, extending the celebration beyond Dubai and bringing a taste of Diwali to passengers travelling through the airline’s international lounge network.
By incorporating regional festive dishes into its lounge services, Emirates is highlighting the role of food and cultural traditions in creating memorable travel experiences. The celebrations also reflect the airline’s efforts to recognise important cultural occasions observed by its diverse international passenger community.
Bollywood Movies, Indian Television and Music Take Centre Stage
Beyond food and dining, Emirates will bring the festive atmosphere onboard through its ice inflight entertainment system, offering passengers an extensive collection of Indian movies, television programmes and music. The selection will include up to 157 Indian films, featuring Bollywood titles such as Mardaani 3, Mayasabha The Hall of Illusion and Coolie, alongside regional cinema in nine languages: Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Bengali and Gujarati.
Passengers will also have access to 14 Indian television programs, including Pritam and Pedro, Looteri Dulhan and Crime Patrol 26 Jurm, 26 Cases. Music enthusiasts can choose from 40 Indian albums and playlists, allowing them to enjoy familiar sounds and festive favorites while travelling. Together, the special menus and entertainment offerings turn the journey into a celebration of Indian culture and the spirit of Diwali.
