DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, September 15, 2026: Emirates will begin accepting Jaywan, the UAE’s national card scheme, for flight bookings from September 16, giving customers in the country another way to pay for travel.
The agreement between Emirates and Al Etihad Payments, which operates Jaywan, expands the use of the UAE’s homegrown payments system into the airline sector.
Customers can use Jaywan cards to book flights through the Emirates website or at the airline’s retail stores. Online customers can enter their card details at checkout, while those booking at retail outlets can have their physical cards verified by Emirates staff before payment and ticket issuance.
All Jaywan cards will be accepted, including the Jaywan Royal Debit Card, Jaywan Prestige Debit Card and Jaywan Prepaid Card.
Jaywan cardholders will also be eligible for discounts across all cabin classes and most fare types on one-way and return flights departing from Dubai.
The offer applies to bookings made between September 16, 2026 and August 31, 2027, for travel until February 29, 2028.
“Emirates already offers UAE customers a broad range of ways to pay for their travel, and Jaywan is now added as a homegrown option that adds further choice and simplicity when booking,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer.
The move is part of Emirates’ broader efforts to expand digital payment options in the UAE and support the country’s shift towards cashless transactions.
The airline signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai Finance in October 2025 to support the Dubai Cashless Strategy among international visitors. In July 2026, it also introduced Crypto.com Pay for eligible UAE residents booking through its website and mobile app.
For Al Etihad Payments, the Emirates agreement represents an expansion of Jaywan’s presence in everyday transactions.
“Our partnership with Emirates Airlines reinforces Jaywan’s ambition to deliver more than a payment solution by creating tangible value and a seamless experience for every cardholder,” said Dr. Tariq Al Hawi, chief operating officer at Al Etihad Payments.
Jaywan was introduced by Al Etihad Payments as the UAE’s domestic card scheme, with the aim of strengthening the country’s national payments infrastructure and reducing reliance on international card networks for domestic transactions.
The cards are issued by major UAE banks and are increasingly accepted by merchants across sectors including transport, restaurants, attractions, healthcare, pharmacies and retail.
The Emirates agreement allows Jaywan to be used for both online travel bookings and in-person purchases, extending the scheme’s reach into one of the UAE’s largest travel brands.
The agreement was signed by Abdulla Al Olama, Emirates’ vice president of commercial operations UAE, and Andrea Cianchetti, chief product officer at Al Etihad Payments.
