Every so often we see airlines introduce special liveries, typically to celebrate a partnership, cause, or milestone. Emirates has quite a few aircraft in special liveries, and I love most of them. The Dubai-based carrier has just unveiled its newest one-off livery, and it’s… ummm, unique?
Emirates unveils special A380 NBA livery
Emirates is the official global airline partner of the NBA, and the inaugural title partner of the Emirates NBA Cup. The airline has just revealed an Airbus A380 in a special nose-to-tail livery, to celebrate the arrival of the 2024-25 NBA season.
The new livery features a blue gradient across the fuselage, punctuated by the NBA logo. The Emirates lettering was transformed from its unique gold font to red, alongside an illustration of a basketball bouncing between the NBA and Emirates logos. The A380’s engine cowls are also in a red color, with the distinct white calligraphy that makes up the Emirates logo.
The aircraft with this special livery is a 10-year-old jet with the registration code A6-EOD. The plane will be cycled throughout Emirates’ network, though its first flight will be to New York in the coming days. You can track the aircraft here.
This special livery was an in-house project performed by the Emirates Engineering Aircraft Appearance Centre teams, and it took 24 days to execute, including stripping, painting, and graphics application processes.
I mean, this livery is certainly eye-catching and stands out, but otherwise, I can’t say I’m a huge fan. The blue just doesn’t match Emirates’ traditional colors, and it all feels a bit much. Then again, I get that the intent here is probably for the livery to attract attention, rather than getting awards for being the prettiest in the world.
I’ve gotta say, Emirates’ United for Wildlife special A380 livery remains my favorite special livery from the airline to date.
Emirates offering NBA inspired products & services
Emirates isn’t just celebrating its NBA partnership by painting one plane, but rather passengers will also notice some changes on select flights and in a handful of lounges.
Between November 1 and December 17, 2024 (coinciding with the Emirates NBA Cup), customers will experience onboard NBA inspired products and services on flights when traveling to and from 14 points in the United States and Canada.
Passengers in every cabin will see aircraft dressed in co-branded headrests, will receive drinks served on specially designed coasters, and can order from court side themed menus. The airline will also serve sports inspired dishes and drinks across all cabin classes and to passengers socializing in the onboard lounge, on flights operated by the A380.
For those who are interested in basketball, passengers will be able to watch select Emirates NBA Cup games live on Sports24 on Emirates’ inflight entertainment system.
On top of that, passengers can enjoy a limited time NBA themed menu at Emirates’ lounges in Dubai (DXB), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), and Boston (BOS).
Bottom line
Emirates has painted an Airbus A380 in a special NBA livery, to celebrate the carrier being the inaugural title partner of the Emirates NBA Cup. One thing is for sure — this special livery will attract some attention! It’s not just the livery of one jet that’s getting the NBA treatment, as we’ll also see the NBA theme in the cabin of Emirates flights to and from the United States and Canada.
What do you make of Emirates’ special NBA livery?
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