UAE Takes Off with Crypto Payments for Flights đâď¸
Thanks to growing crypto adoption and supportive regulations, travelers in the United Arab Emirates can now pay for flights using digital currencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether (USDT). Hereâs everything you need to know:
Platform & Airline Support
Emirates Airline has partnered with Crypto.com to roll out a crypto-based payment system (Crypto.com Pay) starting in 2026, covering flight tickets and in-flight purchases.
Air Arabia lets passengers pay with AE Coin, a UAE dirham-backed stablecoin, through the AEC Wallet app for secure and familiar transactions.
Travala, a crypto-native booking platform, supports over 90â100 cryptocurrenciesâincluding BTC, ETH, USDT, BNB, and AVAâfor booking flights, hotels, and travel experiences globally.
Alternative Airlines accepts crypto payments for flights on more than 600 airlines worldwideâincluding UAE carriersâthrough partners like xMoney and Crypto.com.
Why It Matters
The UAE is embracing a digital-first vision, supported by VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority), making crypto payments increasingly mainstreamâfrom real estate to education and now flights.
Travala reported a 46% surge in crypto bookings in one year, signaling strong user demand. Integrations with Skyscanner and Trivago further bring crypto travel booking to mainstream platforms.
Advantages of crypto payments include faster settlement, lower fees, and no cross-border frictionâideal for digital nomads, freelancers, and tech-oriented travelers.