Emirates has revealed a stunning new aircraft livery to mark the launch of the Emirates NBA Cup — its most visible symbol yet of the airline's role as the Official Global Airline Partner of the NBA.
The eye-catching design transforms an Airbus A380 (registration A6-EOD) with an all-blue gradient fuselage, the NBA logo prominently displayed, and a bouncing basketball motif. Red engine cowls and white "Emirates" calligraphy replace the airline's traditional gold livery, making the aircraft instantly recognisable on the tarmac and in the air.
A 24-Day Paint Job by Emirates' Own Team
The elaborate repaint was carried out entirely in-house at the Emirates Engineering Aircraft Appearance Centre. The process — covering stripping, repainting, and full graphics application — took 24 days to complete. The aircraft began flying revenue services shortly after the unveiling, including routes between Dubai and New York-JFK.
The new livery will gradually be rolled out across additional Emirates fleet aircraft in the coming weeks.
NBA-Themed Onboard Experiences from November 1
Passengers flying on the NBA-liveried A380 to and from 14 US and Canadian cities will enjoy a dedicated Emirates NBA Cup experience between November 1 and December 17, 2024. Special offerings include:
- Headrests featuring NBA team logos - Courtside-style menus with basketball-inspired dishes and beverages across all cabin classes - Live NBA Cup game streaming via Sport24 on ice, Emirates' inflight entertainment system
Emirates NBA Cup Kicks Off November 12
The inaugural Emirates NBA Cup begins on November 12, 2024, opening with New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors vs Dallas Mavericks. The championship final is scheduled for December 17 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Emirates became the Official Global Airline Partner of the NBA in February 2024, with the Emirates NBA Cup representing the first major marketing activation of that partnership.
Boutros Boutros on the Partnership
Emirates Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications, Marketing, and Brand Boutros Boutros said: "We are proud to be the Official Global Airline Partner of the NBA and the inaugural title partner of the Emirates NBA Cup. The new livery is a celebration of the marketing partnership and the game which brings people together from around the world, and we hope to spread the passion and connect with fans across basketball-loving nations across our network."
Fans can also purchase a limited-edition NBA A380 scale model from the Emirates Official Store, capturing the unique livery as a collector's item.
