Following the success of their previous fashion line in 2023, United Arab Emirates-based airline Emirates is launching their second line of luggage and bags made using upcycled materials from the interiors of retrofitted aircraft, titled ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’.
A Piece of Aviation History
The second collection in the ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ series features purses, backpacks and cabin bags all made using materials such as leather seats and seatbelts from 63 of Emirates’ Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft; more than 30,000kg of material has been recovered, deep cleaned, conditioned and sewn into these new accessories. All of the bags were handmade and designed by a dedicated team of 14 tailors in a workshop at Emirates’ engineering facility in Dubai. These tailors now work full-time for Emirates after the success of the previous versions of this initiative.
The 167 collectors’ items were launched on Emirates’ Official Store and are expected to sell out within days. Item prices range from $80 USD to $350 USD (approximately £59 to £260). The previous iteration of Aircrafted by Emirates raised over $17,000 USD (£12,605). Like the launch collection, the proceeds from the second collection will also be going to Emirates’ own charity, the Emirates Airline Foundation, which was founded in 2003 and supports projects in nine countries to support vulnerable and disadvantaged children. One project the charity has supported is the Safe Center for Autism in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, which offers an inclusive education for children with learning difficulties.
The Emirates Airline Retrofit Project
In August 2022, Emirates began its Retrofit Project, the largest of its kind; the airline spent billions of dollars as an investment in improving customer experience. The airline is aiming to completely upgrade the interior cabins of 219 Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, which are two of the largest models of commerical aircraft currently in service. Managed by Emirates’ Engineering Team, the Retrofit Project will result in 4,000 new Premium Economy Seats being installed, 728 First Class suites being refurbished and more than 5,000 Business Class seats being upgraded once the project is finished.
Will you take one of the bags from Emirates’ new collection on your next flight? Let us know in the comments.
