DUBAI/ABU DHABI — August 16, 2025 (IST) — The UAE’s tourism sector is moving quickly to accept digital assets at checkout, with major airlines and booking platforms adding crypto alongside cards and bank transfers. Emirates has signed a deal to integrate Crypto.com Pay into its systems with a launch targeted for 2026, while budget carrier Air Arabia has begun accepting AE Coin, an AED-pegged stablecoin. Global booking platforms used by UAE travelers—Travala and Alternative Airlines—already support a broad list of cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH and USDT.
Emirates targets 2026 for Crypto.com-powered payments
Emirates signed1 a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com on July 9, 2025, to bring Crypto.com Pay into the airline’s payment stack. The rollout is slated to start next year, positioning Emirates among the first full-service global carriers to enable crypto at checkout.
The airline’s own announcement confirmed the MoU to “explore ways” to integrate Crypto.com Pay, signaling formal workstreams toward implementation and compliance ahead of the 2026 launch window.
Air Arabia goes live with AE Coin stablecoin
Air Arabia has become the first airline in the region to accept an AED-backed stablecoin for ticket purchases, enabling customers to pay with AE Coin via the AEC Wallet app. The carrier cites lower fees and faster settlement as practical advantages for travelers.
Travala and Alternative Airlines already accept 100+ cryptos
For travelers booking UAE routes today, crypto is widely available through intermediaries:
- Travala: the Web3 travel platform accepts 100+ cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC and more) and also supports Binance Pay and Crypto.com Pay.
- Alternative Airlines: the UK-based OTA lets customers buy tickets on 600+ airlines (including Emirates) using 100+ cryptocurrencies, processed through xMoney (formerly Utrust) and Crypto.com. USDT, BTC and ETH are among the options.
Why it matters
The UAE is cultivating a crypto-friendly travel7 ecosystem, from airlines to duty-free and online agencies, under a regulatory environment that has encouraged digital-asset services. Emirates’ 2026 timeline underscores how crypto payments are moving from niche to mainstream in aviation and travel retail.
What you can pay with (today vs. 2026)
- Live now (platforms/airlines):
- Travala: BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, and 90+ other assets.
- Alternative Airlines: BTC, ETH, USDT and 100+ cryptos via xMoney/Crypto.com; tickets available for 600+ airlines.
- Air Arabia: AE Coin (AED-pegged stablecoin) via AEC Wallet.
- Coming (Emirates): Crypto.com Pay integration targeted to begin in 2026 following last month’s MoU. Specific coins to be confirmed at launch.
Summary:
With Air Arabia’s AE Coin option already live and crypto-native OTAs handling dozens of coins, travelers have multiple ways to use digital assets on UAE routes today. Emirates’ planned Crypto.com Pay integration next year would extend crypto directly to one of the world’s largest carriers—further normalizing digital payments across the country’s tourism economy.
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