As the holiday season reached its peak, Emirates joined the global celebrations with a creative campaign that instantly stood out in the aviation world. The airline released a festive video reimagining its flagship Airbus A380 as Santa’s sleigh, humorously renamed the “Sleigh380.”
Shared across social media just days before Christmas, the video offered a playful and visually striking holiday greeting that quickly went viral.
Introducing the Sleigh380. Santa's going long-haul this year!
Merry Christmas from Emirates. 🎅🎄🎁 pic.twitter.com/RqsHdcqAQC
— Emirates (@emirates) December 23, 2025
The short clip shows the iconic double-decker aircraft transformed into a reindeer-inspired sleigh, complete with a glowing red nose, oversized antlers, and festive decorations. Ground crew, styled as holiday helpers, are seen loading colorful gift boxes onto a giant sleigh attached to the aircraft before it taxis down the runway and lifts off into a wintery sky. While clearly fantastical, the polished visuals and attention to detail gave the impression of a cinematic holiday moment rather than a standard airline advertisement.
The Sleigh380 concept builds on Emirates’ growing tradition of seasonal storytelling, where aviation meets imagination. Rather than focusing on routes, cabins, or schedules, the campaign leaned fully into festive emotion, positioning the brand as playful, warm, and culturally aware during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. With millions of passengers traveling through Dubai International Airport during December, the timing of the campaign added to its resonance.
Social media reactions ranged from admiration to tongue-in-cheek concern, with users joking about aviation safety and wondering whether Santa had upgraded to first class. Others praised the campaign as a reminder that marketing doesn’t always need to sell a product directly, but can instead create joy and connection. The conversation itself became part of the campaign’s success, extending its reach far beyond Emirates’ own channels.
Despite speculation online, the airline clarified that the video was not created using artificial intelligence. Instead, it was crafted using high-end CGI techniques by long-time Emirates collaborator Mostafa Eldiasty, a Dubai-based digital artist known for producing hyper-realistic aviation visuals. Each frame was designed manually, continuing a creative partnership that has previously delivered other viral A380 moments for the airline.
The Sleigh380 campaign also complemented Emirates’ broader holiday experience onboard. Throughout December, passengers were offered festive meals, themed beverages, seasonal desserts, and winter-inspired lounge touches, reinforcing the airline’s focus on atmosphere and experience during peak travel season.
By transforming one of the world’s most recognizable aircraft into a symbol of holiday magic, Emirates once again demonstrated how storytelling and creativity can elevate brand identity. The Sleigh380 may never touch a rooftop, but it succeeded in delivering something equally valuable: a moment of shared seasonal delight at 35,000 feet.