Free Cake, Treats and Movies: Airline Celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival on Flights from Dubai to Asia

Emirates is bringing the Mid-Autumn Festival onboard this month, giving passengers traveling between Dubai and destinations in Singapore, China, Hong Kong and Malaysia a seasonal taste of one of Asia’s best-known celebrations.

On September 25 and 26, passengers on selected Emirates flights will receive a complimentary mooncake as part of the regular meal service, regardless of cabin class. The traditional treat will feature red bean paste and will be served alongside lunch or dinner.

Special Mooncake boxes. Photo: Emirates

The presentation will vary by cabin. Passengers traveling in First Class and Business Class will receive their mooncake in a specially packaged gift box after the first meal service. In Premium Economy and Economy Class, the mooncake will be included directly on the meal tray.

The airline is also extending the celebrations beyond the aircraft. On October 6, Emirates passengers visiting its airport lounges in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai will be able to enjoy additional festive treats, including mooncakes and lava custard black gold glutinous rice balls.

Full Moon and Mooncake Sharing

The Mid-Autumn Festival, traditionally associated with family reunions, gatherings under the full moon and sharing mooncakes, falls during a busy period for travel across Asia as people return home to spend time with family and friends.

Emirates is pairing the seasonal food offerings with Chinese-language entertainment on its in-flight entertainment system, ice.

Passengers can choose from more than 40 Cantonese and Mandarin films, including recent releases such as I Am What I Am 2, Invincible Swordsman, The Way We Talk and I Want to Be Rich.

The selection also includes more than 300 Hollywood films with Chinese subtitles. Among the titles available are How to Train Your Dragon, Elio, Materialists and Audrey's Children.

The combination of festive food and Chinese-language entertainment gives passengers traveling during the lunar month another way to connect with the traditions and culture associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival, even while in the air.