Emirates – one of the world’s leading airlines and a popular choice for South African’s traveling overseas. However, there are some fascinating facts about this airline that you might not know.
- Emirates hosts more than 77-million passengers annually, with three daily flights between Dubai and Johannesburg, two daily flights between Dubai and Cape Town and daily flights between Dubai and Durban.
- Emirates serves up millions of pieces of chocolate and fresh strawberries a year and even welcomes falcons onboard.
- This year, the world’s largest international airline is recruiting more than 5,000 cabin crew from over 460 cities.
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Emirates continues to set benchmarks in travel, combining innovation, cultural appreciation, and culinary delight to deliver an unmatched inflight experience, even if you’re only flying Economy Class. From adorning cabins with fresh orchids to the distinctive sonic branding, The Sandton Times can reveal some of the numbers that make Emirates work. Here are eight things that highlight the unique and innovative aspects of Emirates, making it a standout in the aviation industry:
1. Millions Of Chocolates Consumed
The love of chocolate spans all aircraft classes, with Economy Class customers enjoying 36.3-million chocolates. The newly launched Premium Economy Class (not yet available on South African routes) saw 322’000 chocolates consumed, while Business Class passengers savoured 8.2-million chocolates. First Class, offering unlimited chocolates and inviting passengers to take away their favourite flavours, saw 122’000 large gourmet chocolate boxes relished. Not sure if the subsequent visits to the gym are in equal proportion?
2. Fresh Strawberries At 35’000 Feet
Over the course of a year, Emirates serves 98’000 kilograms of fresh strawberries on its flights worldwide. Many of these strawberries are UAE-grown, sourced from Bustanica, the world’s largest vertical farm owned by Emirates in Dubai. This ensures passengers enjoy juicy, fresh strawberries, adding a touch of local flavour to their global journey. Consider it a dessert grown in the desert!
3. Falcons On Board
Emirates looks to go above and beyond in acknowledging the historical and cultural significance of falcons in the UAE. The airline welcomes these revered birds onboard, allowing them to travel in the cabin with personalized health certifications and their own passports. When a bird of prey can leave the flying to someone else…now that’s a luxury.
4. An Elegant Touch Of Orchids
A symbol of beauty, elegance, and luxury, fresh purple orchids are a constant presence in Emirates’ cabins. The airline purchases 1.2-million individual orchids every year to ensure a touch of natural elegance on their flights. Orchids are known for their ability to remain fresh and vibrant for extended periods, making them an ideal choice for long-haul flights. And who doesn’t love an Orchid?
5. The Emirates Sonic Branding
The distinctive and highly catchy Emirates brand music, known as the Emirates Sonic Branding, was composed in January 2012 by Christian Saglie, a Los Angeles-based film composer. This musical journey is based on a single theme – a descending three-note motif that is repeated and has become synonymous with the Emirates experience. Used in ads, corporate videos, on-hold music, live events, and more, this sonic branding creates a memorable auditory connection for those traveling. Consider it the soundtrack to ‘the holiday is about to begin’!
6. Upgrading Aviation
Emirates has a rich history of pioneering innovations in the aviation industry. In 1992, Emirates was the first airline to install individual television screens in all seats, revolutionizing in-flight entertainment. This spirit of innovation continued with the introduction of onboard showers and lounges in 2008, setting new standards for luxury air travel. In 2011, Emirates became the first airline to offer onboard Wi-Fi, keeping passengers connected throughout their journey.
The most recent milestone came in 2023 with the launch of the largest aircraft refresh program in history, a multibillion-dollar investment aimed at elevating customer experience. This program includes upgrades to cabin interiors, enhanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved seating comfort. We certainly cannot wait for some of these enhancements come to South Africa!
7. Culinary Fea(s)t
Emirates caters to an astounding 215’000 meals daily across its 490 flights worldwide. This culinary endeavour involves 1’400 dedicated chefs working at the Emirates Flight Catering Facility in Dubai and partner caterers globally, crafting over 2’200 varied recipes monthly. Talk about elevating airplane food!
8. Epicurean Delights
Emirates elevates inflight dining with epicurean flair across all classes. Annually, the airline’s chefs utilize over 938’000 kilograms of fresh cream, 32’000 kilograms of Masala cashew nuts, and 42’000 kilograms of salads from Bustanica. First and Business Class passengers also savour 3.5-million bottles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, 14’000 kilograms of Yarra Valley feta cheese, and 1.2-million beef tenderloin steaks, with First Class passengers enjoying unlimited caviar – lucky fish!
9. Iconic Crew
With over 70 languages fluently spoken by its 22’000 cabin crew members, Emirates boasts around 1’000 crew members that are fluent in four or more languages. This linguistic prowess is complemented by the airline’s commitment to diversity, with its cabin crew community representing over 140 nationalities. Every new cabin crew member undergoes an intense 8-week training program at Emirates’ state-of-the-art facility in Dubai, ensuring they meet the highest standards of hospitality, safety, and service delivery.
These facts offer a glimpse into the exceptional and often surprising elements that make Emirates a favourite among travellers in South Africa and worldwide.
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