Emirates Partners Crypto.com for Crypto Payments in 2024

Emirates Airline has entered into a strategic partnership with Crypto.com, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, to introduce digital payments for travel services. This collaboration aims to cater to the increasing demand from customers for digital asset payment options. The agreement, formalized in Dubai, was signed by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Mohammed Al Hakim, President of Crypto.com’s UAE operations. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline & Group.

The partnership involves integrating Crypto.com Pay into Emirates’ services, allowing customers to use cryptocurrency for purchasing flights and other transactions. This move aligns with Emirates’ broader digital strategy and its goal of providing flexible payment options. The airline had previously expressed interest in crypto payments in 2022, following the introduction of crypto-friendly regulations in the UAE.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the growing demand for cryptocurrency as a legitimate payment method, particularly among tech-driven travelers. He emphasized that this partnership reflects Emirates’ commitment to meeting evolving customer preferences and tapping into younger, tech-savvy customer segments who prefer digital currencies.

Eric Anziani, Crypto.com President and COO, noted that the collaboration marks another step in expanding real-world use cases for crypto payments and will drive momentum for the broader digital asset industry. The feature is expected to go live next year, pending internal readiness and regulatory approvals. Both Emirates and Crypto.com plan to leverage promotional marketing campaigns to create awareness and encourage the adoption of this new payment solution.

If successfully implemented, Emirates will become one of the first major international airlines to fully integrate cryptocurrency into its payment stack. This partnership underscores the airline’s forward-thinking approach to digital innovation and its commitment to enhancing the customer experience through cutting-edge technology.