Emirates Takes Off with the NBA: Special Menu and Branded Flight Experience

Emirates, the Official Global Airline Partner of the National Basketball League (NBA), is launching a dedicated menu and full in-flight concept inspired by the league. The new menu will be served on the company's flights to the United States and Canada until December 16.

The move joins the live broadcast of NBA games on Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra, as part of the celebrations leading up to the Emirates NBA Cup final.

Premium Economy and Economy passengers will be welcomed into an NBA-branded cabin, with new seat cushions and coasters, alongside a menu that includes dishes associated with an evening of watching the game: specialty pizzas, gourmet sandwiches, and desserts such as milk and salted caramel cake and an ice cream sandwich between two chocolate cookies.

Emirates NBA menu. Photo: Emirates

Business Class dishes are also being upgraded, and the menu includes a chef's version of crispy chicken with buffalo sauce, macaroni and cheese with popcorn, alongside a selection of pastries, and branded cupcakes. The dishes will be accompanied by original NBA-inspired drinks, including the Rookie Rush cocktail.

Guests of the First Class Lounge in Dubai will be able to enjoy premium NBA-style burgers with Wagyu beef, rocket leaves, and pear and bacon jam, alongside signature cocktails such as the Pick and Roll and Step Back Cooler.

Desserts include passion fruit tart, milk chocolate and coconut ball, and pistachio eclair. A variety of snacks will also be served on the flight itself, including bagels with smoked beef and fontina cheese, panini with mozzarella and pesto mayonnaise, chicken schnitzel in a bun, and a vegan burrito.

Premium class passengers on Emirates' A380 aircraft will be able to continue the experience in the Air Lounge, which will offer bistro-style dishes and desserts such as lemon and orange cake.

The special menu is available on the company's flights to 12 destinations in the United States, including New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Washington, and Dallas, as well as to Toronto and Montreal.