Emirates to accept cryptocurrency: Which other airlines accept crypto and why would you use it?
July 14, 2025
In a world where your morning coffee can be bought with Bitcoin, why not your next flight?
That’s exactly what Emirates is betting on. The UAE’s flagship carrier has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com to explore integrating cryptocurrency payments into its systems.
The partnership aims to implement Crypto.com Pay within Emirates’ payment framework by next year, offering passengers the ability to use popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins to pay for flights.
“This is about aligning with evolving customer preferences,” says Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, after the MoU was signed in Dubai last week. “Younger, tech-savvy travelers are looking for digital-first solutions. Crypto gives us a new channel to serve them.”
Emirates’ embrace of crypto comes at a time when the airline industry is experimenting with alternative payment technologies, from e-wallets to biometric ID-based check-ins and now, blockchain.
What is cryptocurrency and how does it work when buying flight tickets?
For the uninitiated, cryptocurrency is a form of digital money that uses encryption techniques and decentralised blockchain technology to verify and record transactions.
Think of it as a secure, global payment network that doesn’t rely on banks or governments to function.
To buy a flight with crypto, you generally use a crypto wallet – an app that lets you send and receive digital currency. Once an airline or booking platform supports crypto payments, you can choose the currency, scan a QR code, and complete your booking almost instantly.
This contrasts with traditional card payments, which rely on banks and payment processors, which can include higher transaction fees, foreign exchange charges, and delays, especially for international payments.
However, crypto isn’t a replacement, yet. Most airlines that accept it still rely on instant conversion to fiat currency like dollars or euros, meaning your Bitcoin is converted at the current rate.
Which airlines accept cryptocurrency?
Emirates joins a small but growing club of global carriers and private aviation firms embracing digital currencies:
- airBaltic: The Latvian carrier was the world’s first airline to accept Bitcoin (since 2014). It now accepts several cryptocurrencies including Dogecoin, Ethereum, and USDC via BitPay.
- Vueling: The Spanish low-cost airline partnered with BitPay to accept crypto payments on its website, becoming the first in Europe to do so in 2022.
- Peach Aviation: Japan’s budget carrier announced plans in 2017 to accept Bitcoin – one of Asia’s earliest moves in this space.
- Delta, United, American Airlines: These US majors don’t accept crypto directly but can be booked using crypto gift cards or through third-party platforms like Alternative Airlines, which accept Bitcoin and other digital currencies.
Private aviation firms like Monarch Air, Simply Jet, PrivateFly, and Cielo Aviation allow full charter bookings with crypto. Monarch Air, for instance, has seen a 30% rise in crypto-based bookings over the past few years.
Many of these services use BitPay or Crypto.com Pay as intermediaries, making the process seamless while keeping both users and airlines safe from price swings or technical barriers.
Before booking, always verify whether the airline accepts crypto directly or via third-party platforms, and check the refund policy, since crypto transactions are generally irreversible.
Why would you want to book flight tickets with crypto?
Most travellers rely on credit cards, mobile wallets, or bank transfers to book their flights. Yet cryptocurrency offers a handful of distinct advantages.
Paying with cryptocurrency for flights eliminates the middle man by enabling peer-to-peer transfers that can reduce transaction fees.
It also allows for near-instant international payments without currency exchange markups, and provides greater privacy, as transactions require minimal personal information.
Importantly, it expands access to passengers in regions with limited banking infrastructure, giving them a means to pay for flights where other payment methods (such as cash) are not available.
Loyalty programmes may be next. Blockchain tech could revolutionise how airlines manage points, track redemptions, and even offer tokenised rewards or NFT-based upgrades.
Emirates adding crypto is part of Dubai’s big virtual payment push
Dubai isn’t simply watching this transformation, it’s orchestrating it. Backed by clear regulations from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), the country is fostering a crypto-friendly ecosystem across industries and from real estate to telecoms.
Emirates’ entry into the crypto-payment sphere aligns with Dubai’s ambition to become the global capital of digital finance. With state-level support, and a young, mobile-first population, the UAE could soon be a test-bed for mainstream crypto adoption in aviation and beyond.
While it’s not for everyone, crypto payment options are here to stay as global travellers seek flexibility and speed. Whether you’re booking an economy seat to Tokyo or chartering a private jet to Monaco, crypto offers a new tool in your financial travel kit.
Emirates’ move might not make Bitcoin the default airline currency overnight. But it does signal a future where airline ticketing is no longer bound by borders, banks, or bureaucracy.
