Aviation memorabilia meets sustainability in Emirates’ newest drop: the Aircrafted by Emirates 2025 Collection.
Back by popular demand, the latest capsule from Emirates’ upcycling initiative features 167 handmade travel pieces constructed from retired aircraft interiors. Now available via the airline’s Official Store, the limited-edition bags are expected to sell out within days.
Bags born from the belly of a plane
Designed and sewn by the airline’s own cabin repair crew, the bags are crafted from materials salvaged during the airline’s ongoing retrofit program. The bags’ components include aluminium headrests, leather for First and Business Class, and seatbelt straps. All pieces are thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and lined with new materials before sale.
The 2025 collection includes three trolley bags, two backpacks, and two handbags, including one made with sheepskin from an A380 Captain’s seat. Prices range from USD 80 to USD 350.
More than 30,000kg of aircraft materials from 63 Emirates aircraft have been repurposed through the project so far. The airline’s team of 14 in-house tailors, typically responsible for interior repairs, are now fully assigned to the Aircrafted initiative, alongside the airline’s kids range, Aircrafted KIDS.
Proceeds from the collection support the Emirates Airline Foundation, which provides aid to disadvantaged children worldwide. The first collection in 2023 raised over USD 17,000 for the charity.
A retrofit project that keeps on giving
The upcycled materials are part of Emirates’ massive fleet retrofit, launched in August 2022. The multibillion-dollar project aims to completely refurbish the interiors of 219 Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.
Run entirely by Emirates Engineering, the retrofit includes 4,000 new Premium Economy seats, refurbished First Class suites and upgraded Business Class cabins. The airline says it’s one of the largest known aircraft interior refit programs in commercial aviation.
This level of in-house execution, from engineering to design to production, has positioned Emirates not only as a premium airline, but also as an unexpected player in the circular economy.
Beyond the bag: Emirates’ bigger sustainability picture
The Aircrafted initiative is one part of the airline’s broader efforts to embed sustainability across its operations. In addition to cabin material repurposing, the airline has invested heavily in reducing single-use plastics, improving fuel efficiency, and exploring sustainable aviation fuel options.
In 2024, Emirates signed agreements with Neste and other SAF producers to integrate blended sustainable aviation fuel into flights departing from Dubai and select European hubs. The airline has also partnered with environmental organisations to support wildlife conservation, water access, and reforestation efforts in key destinations.
Its catering division, Emirates Flight Catering, operates one of the world’s largest solar-powered vertical farms and has implemented waste-reduction programs across its food operations. Efforts to optimise flight planning, taxiing and aircraft washing procedures have also helped reduce the airline’s carbon footprint.
While Emirates is not yet carbon neutral, its public-facing initiatives like Aircrafted make the airline’s sustainability commitments tangible, offering travellers a way to engage with environmental values beyond offset tick-boxes.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Emirates’ luggage initiative links sustainability with collectability—a creative way to repurpose retrofit waste, generate charitable funds, and reinforce brand loyalty. Travel agents can leverage the story as a talking point for clients who value purpose-led travel brands.
