Indeed, size does matter! Imagine boarding your Emirates flight and settling into your seat, and before the wheels even leave the runway, you’ve already lined up a movie marathon, downloaded your favourite podcast, discovered a new K-pop band, and prepped a productivity course from LinkedIn Learning.

How is this possible, you ask?

Welcome to ice, the aptly named Information, Connectivity, and Entertainment system that’s been setting the gold standard in the skies for more than 30 years. And with its latest updates, it’s more powerful, more personalised, and more fun than ever!

Your binge-watch buddy at 40,000 ft

With 6,500+ channels of content, ice is the biggest entertainment library in the skies, by a mile. From 2,700 Hollywood and international movies, 300+ South Asian blockbusters, and award-winning documentaries, to classic films from the 1930s, Emirates has something for every taste and timezone.

Can’t decide? Don’t worry! Every month, the team at at Emirates curates themed collections and under-the-radar gems. For Earth Month, they rolled out 60+ nature docs. For Autism Awareness Month, they spotlighted neurodiverse stories. And if you’re a Penélope Cruz fan, they’ve even assembled a folder celebrating their brand ambassador’s greatest hits.

Beyond movies: streamers, sports & self-growth

Think Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, Paramount+, HBO Max, Discovery+, and even LinkedIn Learning – Emirates ‘subscribes’ to the lot, bringing top-tier content straight to your seatback screen.

For the multi-tasking traveller (and let’s face it, there’s a lot of us who just can’t sit still!):

• 🎧 Podcasts? Check.
• 🎮 Kids shows? Over 250 channels.
• 📚 Language learning courses? Available in nine languages.
• 🎓 Courses in entrepreneurship, motivation, and leadership? All on tap.

Then there’s the live TV, including breaking news and major sporting events, even shown on the A380 Onboard Lounge big screen during major finals. Whether it’s a football match or the Formula 1 Grand Prix, you can stay on the pulse of it all!

The magic behind the screens

What makes ice truly next-level isn’t just the sheer volume of content. It’s how meticulously it’s chosen. Emirates’ in-house team watches, tests, curates and even produces content like the Emirates World podcast, featuring interviews with thought leaders, brand collaborators, and even UAE astronaut Dr Sultan AlNeyadi, recorded live from space.

Oh, and their latest ice promo video? It’s a Hollywood-style action short starring an Emirates crew member motorbiking, dancing Bollywood-style, and fighting pirates – all while serving passengers. Because, why not?

Inclusivity & innovation in every seat

Very few people know this, but Emirates was the very first airline to offer closed captions and audio descriptions. And its latest Airbus A350s bring an upgraded UI co-designed with accessibility experts. The new system offers 4K HDR screens, eye comfort mode, better search tools, and even lets you skip intros and credits. Parents will also appreciate the pictorial interface for kids and smart parental controls.

Frequent flyers? No worries! Content is refreshed monthly, with servers on the new A350 capable of storing triple the media of older aircraft. So even repeat passengers will always find something new.

Seamless journeys in the air and on the ground

But Emirates isn’t stopping at entertainment. They’ve also just signed a game-changing MoU with Uber to make travel even smoother, from takeoff to touchdown and beyond.

The collaboration explores:

• 🛫 Uber ride vouchers bundled with flights
• 🎁 Skywards Miles that can be earned or redeemed for Uber rides
• 🚕 Airport transfers for select customers built right into your booking
• 📦 Last-mile delivery enhancements for Emirates Courier Express

“Our goal is to create a seamless, rewarding experience not just in the air, but on the ground too.” – Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer

From pioneering personal seatback screens in the early ’90s to turning flights into full-fledged streaming sanctuaries, Emirates continues to push boundaries in entertainment and innovation. So next time you or your clients fly Emirates, don’t just pack your bags, prepare to pack your playlist, your podcast queue, and maybe a film or few. You’re in for the ultimate inflight binge!