Emirates A380 Gets Rudolph's Red Nose at DXB: Why the 'Sleigh380' is Going Viral.

December 23, 2025 at 02:34 PM•3 min read

Emirates transformed its Airbus A380 into the "Sleigh380" using handcrafted VFX, creating a viral holiday campaign that highlights craft over AI in

Key Points

1Emirates transformed its Airbus A380 into the 'Sleigh380' with a red nose using handcrafted VFX by @100.pixels, explicitly avoiding AI.
2The viral campaign coincides with a massive holiday travel period, with Emirates anticipating over 4.8 million passenger movements in December 2025.
3The airline is supporting the festive mood with a full holiday program, including special gourmet menus and seasonal treats across all cabin classes.

The flagship Airbus A380 of Emirates has been reimagined for the holiday season.

The Dubai-based airline launched its annual Christmas greeting, transforming the superjumbo into the "Sleigh380." This digital creation features a glowing red nose, reminiscent of Rudolph, as it pushes back from Dubai International Airport (DXB).

This latest Emirates A380 Christmas campaign has quickly become a Sleigh380 viral video across social media platforms.

Craft Over AI: The Digital Art Strategy

The video is a masterful piece of digital art, not a product of generative AI. Emirates specifically noted the campaign was not AI-generated, pre-empting a common question.

They partnered with digital artist Mostafa Eldiasty, known as @100.pixels. The artist is behind several of the airline’s previous viral A380 moments.

This emphasis on handcrafted visual effects (VFX) is a subtle statement. It highlights the value of painstaking craft in a year dominated by AI-driven marketing stunts.

The Airbus A380 marketing strategy taps into aviation geek culture. It combines the nostalgia of the jumbo jet with the festive spirit.

Supporting the Holiday Travel Rush

The festive campaign arrives during one of the busiest periods for global air travel. The airline expects to manage more than 4.8 million passenger movements in December 2025.

This includes an anticipated 2.3 million departures and 2.5 million arrivals during the holiday period.

DXB is projected to be one of the world's busiest hubs this quarter. Data indicates strong growth in international visitor arrivals to Dubai.

This high-profile airline holiday campaigns serves a dual purpose. It engages customers while reminding the public of the massive holiday travel statistics 2025.

Festive Dining and Onboard Experience

Beyond the viral video, the airline is offering a full Emirates festive dining experience. This includes special menus across all classes throughout December.

First and Business Class: Traditional roasted turkey with chestnut stuffing, truffle potato gratin, and caramelised Brussels sprouts.
Chef-Curated Mains: Options include herb-crusted lamb shank and duck confit glazed in cranberry jus.
Desserts: Fruitcake, festive mousse, and a Santa-inspired strawberry-and-cream creation for First Class guests.

The A380 Onboard Lounge also features seasonal treats. These include mince pies, stollen, and festive macarons.

This marketing effort shows that even in the highly technical world of commercial aviation news, there is room for humor. The campaign reinforces the airline's brand image as a global, premium carrier. It offers a lighthearted moment for passengers and aviation enthusiasts worldwide. Find more flight operation news at aviation news.