news 
Fly Emirates, Pay in Bitcoin: Full Integration Set for 2026
In a significant move aimed at bolstering its digital finance infrastructure, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently announced plans to integrate cryptocurrency payments into its travel and tourism sector. This groundbreaking initiative marks a major milestone for the region, which is poised to position itself as a global leader in the crypto space.
As part of this initiative, Fly Emirates has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com, a leading fintech company. The partnership aims to enable passengers to pay for flights, upgrades, duty-free items, and other services on Emirates routes using a range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Cronos (CRO), and stablecoins such as USDT and USDC.
The airline has also announced plans to support over 30 cryptocurrencies, thereby simplifying the integration of digital assets into daily life. This move is expected to set a new standard for the industry, allowing customers greater flexibility and choice in how they transact with Emirates.
In related news, several UAE-based airlines have already started accepting crypto payments from passengers. Air Arabia, for instance, now accepts AE Coin, a dirham-backed stablecoin, for flight bookings across its network spanning the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia.
Travala, another key player in this space, has also made significant strides by offering flights and hotels with crypto payments. This blockchain-based travel booking platform supports multiple cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, Binance Coin (BNB), and its native AVA token.
Destinia, a global travel agency that offers bookings for flights, hotels, and car rentals, has also joined the fray by offering a flexible payment method option for UAE travelers. The platform supports cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, and USDT.
Lastly, Alternative Airlines, an online travel agency that supports bookings with over 650 airlines globally, including Emirates and Etihad, has also introduced crypto payments in multiple coins such as BTC, ETH, XRP, Litecoin, Cardano, Dogecoin, and USDT.
The UAE government’s commitment to creating a robust regulatory framework has played a crucial role in driving this innovation. The country is prioritizing licensing, Anti-Money Laundering/Know Your Customer (AML/KYC) compliance, consumer protection, and adherence to international standards like FATF. This approach aims to promote greater stability and transparency in the crypto market.
In conclusion, Fly Emirates’ commitment to integrating cryptocurrency payments into its operations marks a significant milestone for the global aviation industry. As the world’s largest airline by passenger traffic, this move will set a new standard for air travel bookings and transactions.
Source: coinpedia.org
