Emirates is celebrating Diwali 2026 with special Indian sweets, festive food and entertainment for passengers travelling between Dubai and nine Indian destinations. The celebrations include onboard treats on November 7 and 8, special menus in selected airport lounges from November 3 to 8, and additional Indian films and regional entertainment on its inflight system.
The programme is aimed at passengers travelling between the UAE and India during the festive season, giving them a chance to enjoy familiar Indian flavours and entertainment throughout their journey.
- Location: Dubai, nine Indian destinations, Cape Town and Johannesburg
- Organisation: Emirates
- Dates: November 3–8, 2026
- Who is affected: Passengers travelling on selected Dubai–India routes and eligible lounge visitors
- What’s included: Indian sweets, festive snacks, desserts and Bollywood entertainment
- What’s next: Onboard Diwali treats will be served on November 7 and 8
Emirates is bringing Diwali celebrations onboard its flights with traditional Indian sweets, special lounge menus and Bollywood entertainment in November 2026. The airline announced that passengers travelling between Dubai and nine Indian cities will receive festive treats on November 7 and 8, while selected First and Business Class Lounges will serve special Indian dishes between November 3 and 8.
The Emirates Diwali 2026 celebrations come as many UAE residents prepare to travel to India for the festival. Passengers can expect familiar festive flavours, including motichoor laddu and kaju pista roll, along with Indian movies and regional entertainment during their journey.
Which Emirates flights will offer special Diwali sweets?
Emirates will serve Diwali sweets on flights connecting Dubai with nine destinations in India on November 7 and 8, 2026.
The destinations covered under the programme include:
- Ahmedabad
- Bengaluru
- Kochi
- Chennai
- Delhi
- Hyderabad
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
Passengers travelling in all cabin classes on these routes will receive a festive sweet during their journey.
Those flying in Economy and Premium Economy will be served traditional motichoor laddu alongside their hot meal. The sweet is made using small fried gram flour balls, which are combined with a syrup flavoured with cardamom and saffron.
Passengers in Business and First Class will receive an additional festive option, kaju pista roll. This rose-flavoured Indian sweet contains cashews, pistachios, dried fruits and nuts, finished with edible silver leaf.
The special onboard menu gives passengers travelling between Dubai and India a taste of traditional Diwali celebrations during their flight.
What festive food will Emirates serve in its Dubai lounges?
The celebrations will also extend to Emirates’ First and Business Class Lounges in Dubai from November 3 to 8.
First Class Lounge visitors can enjoy a selection of Indian snacks and desserts, including vada pav served with tamarind and mint chutneys. The dessert selection will feature malai sandwich, mango delight, malai roll and gajar ka halwa.
The festive menu will also include a Spicy Saffron Martini and an Iced Masala Cooler mocktail.
Business Class Lounges will offer a different selection of Indian savoury snacks and traditional sweets. These include vegetable keema samosa, onion kachori and paneer potli samosa.
Passengers can also enjoy balushahi, mango rajbhog and mini kesari rasgullas.
Emirates is extending its Diwali food selection to its lounges in Cape Town and Johannesburg as well. These locations will serve coconut ice, barfi and jalebi during the festive period.
The lounge celebrations are separate from the onboard sweet distribution, with access depending on the passenger’s lounge eligibility.
Can passengers watch Bollywood movies on Emirates flights?
Yes. Emirates is also adding to its Indian entertainment selection through its ice inflight entertainment system.
The airline’s Diwali announcement highlights a selection of Bollywood films, Indian regional movies, television programmes and music for passengers.
The entertainment offering includes up to 157 Indian films, 14 television programmes and 40 music albums and playlists.
Passengers who prefer regional cinema will also have options in nine Indian languages:
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Malayalam
- Kannada
- Marathi
- Punjabi
- Bhojpuri
- Bengali
- Gujarati
The selection includes Bollywood releases such as Mardaani 3, Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion and Coolie.
This means passengers can enjoy Indian entertainment in their preferred languages while travelling. The selection also gives families and frequent flyers more options beyond international films and television programmes.
Is this the first time Emirates has celebrated Diwali?
No. Emirates has previously introduced special food and entertainment selections around Diwali as part of its seasonal celebrations.
Its earlier festive programmes have included Indian sweets, traditional dishes, themed drinks and Bollywood entertainment. The airline’s previous Diwali announcements also featured flights connecting Dubai with the same nine Indian destinations.
The 2026 programme continues this approach, bringing together Indian food and entertainment for passengers travelling during the festival.
The celebrations also reflect the importance of the Dubai–India travel connection. Dubai has a large Indian expatriate community, and many residents travel between the UAE and India to celebrate important occasions with family and friends.
For these passengers, familiar food and regional entertainment can add a festive touch to their travel experience.
Why It Matters for Dubai Travellers
Emirates’ Diwali programme offers UAE residents travelling to India an additional festive experience before they reach their destination. Passengers on the selected routes can enjoy traditional sweets, while eligible lounge visitors can sample Indian snacks and desserts before boarding.
The programme also benefits travellers who want access to Indian films, regional cinema and music during longer journeys.
For Dubai’s Indian community, the celebrations provide another example of how airlines operating from the city recognise the cultural occasions that matter to their passengers.
FAQs
When will Emirates serve Diwali sweets in 2026?
Emirates will serve special Diwali sweets on November 7 and 8, 2026, on flights connecting Dubai with nine Indian destinations.
Which Indian sweets will be available on Emirates flights?
Economy and Premium Economy passengers will receive motichoor laddu. Business and First Class passengers will also receive kaju pista roll.
Will Emirates offer a special Diwali menu in Dubai?
Yes. Emirates’ First and Business Class Lounges in Dubai will offer Indian snacks, desserts and festive drinks from November 3 to 8, 2026.
Can Economy Class passengers enjoy the festive lounge menu?
The special festive lounge menus are announced for Emirates’ First and Business Class Lounges. Lounge access is subject to the airline’s applicable eligibility rules.
Will Emirates offer Indian movies during Diwali?
Yes. Emirates will feature Bollywood films, Indian regional movies, television programmes and music through its ice inflight entertainment system.
Emirates is marking Diwali 2026 with a mix of traditional Indian sweets, festive lounge menus and regional entertainment. With celebrations across nine Dubai–India routes and selected international lounges, passengers can enjoy a little of the festival during their travels this November.
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