Following the overwhelming success of its debut collection in 2023, Emirates is soaring even higher with the launch of its second, limited-edition Aircrafted by Emirates range, an inspired collection of handmade luggage and accessories upcycled from materials of the airline’s retrofitted aircraft.

The Aircrafted by Emirates 2025 Collection only offered 167 pieces and was predicted to sell out in days. The debut Aircrafted collection not only raised over USD 17,000 for the Emirates Airline Foundation, supporting children in need worldwide, but also signaled the airline’s creative commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles. The 2025 collection builds on that legacy, combining purpose with innovation and style.

This year’s collection featured three fresh new styles, joined by two sleek backpacks and two handbags. One of the handbags was even crafted from the original fur of an Emirates captain’s seat. All the pieces were made from upcycled materials salvaged from 63 retrofitted aircraft, including Emirates’ Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s.

Needless to say, the collection was all about style and sustainability. While more than 30,000 kilograms of materials were repurposed, from aluminum headrests to plush leathers from First and Business Class cabins, the best part is each bag was handmade by Emirates’ own inhouse team of 14 tailors and Engineering Maintenance Assistants, a true merging of art and science!

Leading by example

Emirates’ Aircrafted by Emirates project is deeply rooted in the airline’s strategic sustainability programme, Connecting Tomorrow, which outlines a robust environmental agenda across the three pillars of reducing emissions, consuming responsibly, and preserving wildlife and habitats.

1. Emissions reductions and green Innovation

• Emirates is executing one of the industry’s most comprehensive fuel efficiency strategies, leveraging a modern fleet with an average aircraft age of just ~9 years, including next‑generation Airbus A350s and Boeing 777Xs to cut emissions and boost fuel economy.
• Flight operations incorporate Green Standard Operating Procedures (Green SOPs), such as reduced‑engine taxiing, idle‑reverse thrust usage, optimised routing, and continuous climb/descent, which reduced fuel burn by over 50,000 tons and carbon emissions by >160,000 tons in 2022–23.
• In January 2023, Emirates completed a milestone demonstration flight powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in one engine—one of the first such efforts in the MENA region.
• The airline has established a US $200 million Sustainability Fund, its largest single financial commitment to aviation R&D, investing in advanced fuel- and energy-innovation projects to support future-proof solutions beyond current SAF capacity.

2. Resource circularity

• Emirates incorporates sustainable procurement through its Supplier Code of Conduct, prioritising ethical sourcing and local suppliers to reduce carbon footprint and support responsible consumption.
• Onboard, the airline has introduced eco-amenity kits, blankets made from recycled plastic bottles, reusable toy bags, and the elimination of single-use plastics—saving approximately 150 million plastic items annually.
• Emirates Flight Catering operates a closed-loop recycling system, repurposing waste from meal trays, bowls, and packaging into new in-flight products, all produced locally, reducing transportation emissions and diverting significant waste from landfill.

3. Preserving wildlife and ecosystems

The airline supports biodiversity and environmental conservation through long-term partnerships, philanthropic initiatives, and education, such as their Championing Nature programme. Further, as a signatory of the Buckingham Palace Declaration and a founder of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce, Emirates actively combats illegal wildlife trade.

From cabin to cause

As global conversations around sustainable aviation intensify, Emirates continues to demonstrate that environmental responsibility and customer experience are not mutually exclusive.

From engineering workshops to designer tote bags, Emirates is proving that innovation can come from looking inward at existing assets, and outward, toward future impact.