Emirates Is Serving Lunar New Year Energy at 40,000 Feet (Yes, Red Envelopes Included)
Lunar New Year is not just a holiday. In Southeast Asia, it is a full-scale travel phenomenon.
Family reunions, last-minute getaways, long-haul bucket-list trips, packed airports, and that unmistakable festive buzz that makes February feel like the real start of the year.
As celebrations usher in the Year of the Horse, Emirates is leaning into one of the busiest travel periods across the region with a lineup of Lunar New Year-inspired onboard experiences, plus a closer look at how travellers from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam are flying during the season.
And yes, there are themed desserts. And yes, there are red envelopes.
Lunar New Year Travel Is Bigger Than Ever Across Southeast Asia
According to Emirates’ February 2026 booking data, Lunar New Year continues to be one of the most significant travel moments in Southeast Asia, with travellers moving across borders for everything from family obligations to international leisure escapes.
The numbers tell a story: this is no longer just about going home. It is also about going further.
Malaysia: From Family Reunions to Long-Haul Holidays
In Malaysia, Emirates’ booking data for February 2026 shows that festive travel is being driven by a mix of family reunions and international leisure trips.
Inbound traffic to Malaysia during the Lunar New Year period is led by the UK, UAE, Germany, and the US, reflecting Malaysia’s strong overseas ties and its growing appeal as a holiday destination during the season.
Inbound traveller profiles are mostly:
Solo travellers (61%)
Couples (20%)
Families (10%)
Outbound, Malaysians are using the festive break as a launchpad for long-distance travel, with Dubai, Istanbul, Cairo, London, and Paris among the top destinations.
Outbound traveller profiles remain weighted towards:
Solo travellers (53%)
Couples (21%)
Groups (14%)
Families (10%)
The takeaway? Lunar New Year is increasingly becoming a major moment for Malaysians to take bigger, longer international trips, reinforcing the importance of long-haul connectivity during peak holiday periods.
Thailand: A Festive Escape Season
Thailand’s Lunar New Year travel patterns remain strongly leisure-led.
Inbound demand is highest from Germany, the UK, Russia, France, and Hong Kong, underscoring Thailand’s status as a festive-season getaway hotspot for international travellers.
Inbound travellers are mainly:
Solo travellers (45%)
Couples (30%)
Families (11%)
Groups (12%)
Outbound, Thai travellers are favouring shorter breaks and regional destinations, with Hong Kong, Da Nang, and Dubai ranking as the most popular.
Outbound travel is led by:
Solo travellers (48%)
Couples (25%)
Groups (15%)
Families (9%)
For Thai travellers, Lunar New Year functions primarily as a leisure travel window, driven by weekend breaks, visiting friends and relatives, and flexible regional connectivity.
Vietnam: Tết Travel Goes Global
During Tết, Emirates’ February 2026 booking data highlights Vietnam’s growing appetite for long-haul journeys.
Inbound travel to Vietnam is led by Germany, Thailand, the UK, the US, and Russia.
Inbound traveller profiles include:
Solo travellers (50%)
Couples (27%)
Families (8%)
Groups (11%)
The data also shows a significant share of visiting friends and relatives traffic, underlining Tết’s importance as a time for family reunions.
Outbound, Vietnamese travellers are also expanding their horizons, with Dubai, Bangkok, London, Paris, and Moscow emerging as top destinations.
Tết is no longer only about returning home. It is increasingly becoming a window for Vietnamese travellers to balance family obligations with international travel, driving demand for global connectivity during the peak holiday period.
Emirates’ Lunar New Year Experience: Desserts, Red Envelopes, and Festive Touches
To celebrate the Year of the Horse, Emirates is bringing Lunar New Year into the journey itself, with curated festive experiences both on the ground and in the air.
From 17 to 19 February 2026, travellers can enjoy special Lunar New Year-inspired hot meals and desserts in select Emirates lounges in:
Dubai (DXB)
Singapore (SIN)
Bangkok (BKK)
Beijing (PEK)
Shanghai (PVG)
Hong Kong (HKG)
In the air, Emirates is adding extra festivity between 16 and 20 February 2026 on flights serving key Asian markets including China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia, with Lunar New Year-themed desserts and traditional red envelopes presented as a symbol of good fortune.
Dubai to Kuala Lumpur: A Sweet Lunar New Year Treat Across All Cabins
Customers travelling between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur during the Lunar New Year period can look forward to festive onboard treats in every cabin class.
Premium cabin guests will be served a lychee and rose mousse cake with white chocolate.
Economy Class travellers can enjoy a taro coconut sago dessert with sweetened fruits and red beans.
And on selected flights, traditional red envelopes filled with chocolate coins will be presented, a celebratory nod to good fortune for the year ahead.
Lunar New Year Entertainment at 40,000 Feet
Beyond the food, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, is also getting a Lunar New Year refresh.
Customers can explore a dedicated Chinese-language collection featuring titles such as "Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants".
Travellers flying from Malaysia can also enjoy a wide selection of movies, TV programmes, and music available in Malay, bringing familiar stories and sounds into the journey.
Connecting Southeast Asia to the World During Peak Travel Moments
With a global network spanning six continents, Emirates continues to play a key role in connecting Southeast Asia with major international destinations during high-demand periods like Lunar New Year.
Because for travellers across Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, the festive season is no longer just about where you are going.
It is about how far you are willing to fly to start the year right.
