541 people on flight EK2019 represent the UAE's cultural diversity
The flight broke the Guinness World Record for the most nationalities on a single aircraft
An Emirates A380 landed at Dubai International Airport at the end of its historic flight EK2019 after an hour and a half flying over the United Arab Emirates. The carrier operated this special one-off flight to celebrate the UAE's 48th National Day and the Year of Tolerance, and the flight also highlighted the many nationalities and cultures of the country's residents.
On board were 541 passengers from 145 nationalities, including Egypt, who celebrated the spirit of belonging and their pride in living and working in the UAE, which they consider their second home. The flight, unprecedented in the aviation industry, was a unique initiative that shed light on the spirit of unity and the inclusion of all segments of society, from all backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures. It brought together families, children, Emirates Group employees and people of determination, many of whom wore their countries' national dress, their costumes forming a beautiful, colorful tableau during the flight that reflected their different heritage and traditions.
The passengers on this flight were selected from more than 30,000 UAE residents who applied to take part in this important historic event.
In this context, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates, said the UAE has become a symbol of tolerance and coexistence, as it is home to people of more than 200 nationalities and cultural backgrounds living in peace and harmony. “There is no doubt that the social diversity among citizens and residents of the UAE is what unites us and makes us stronger, through mutual respect and building bridges of shared dialogue. Today's flight celebrated this spirit, which reflects the picture and nature of daily life in the country,” he said.
The Emirates Airbus A380 was flown by Captain Abbas Shaaban, Captain Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum and First Officer Karin Arning from Germany.
The 22 cabin crew members on flight EK 2019 came from 18 countries, while the crew on each Emirates flight belong to 15 nationalities and serve travelers across its global network, and every Emirates flight carries passengers of more than 50 nationalities.
Emirates worked to bring together the largest number of nationalities on its flight EK2019, which toured the skies of the UAE. After completing check-in, passengers were welcomed by cabin crew who took souvenir photos of them, and travelers were able to write their names and their wishes for the Year of Tolerance on a wall dedicated to the purpose. Before boarding, their boarding passes were stamped as a souvenir of the historic flight.
On boarding and as they prepared for takeoff, passengers viewed special Year of Tolerance content on the screens of Emirates' unique, globally award-winning ice inflight information, communication and entertainment system. Shortly before landing, the official Guinness World Records adjudicator, who was on board to record the breaking of the record, officially announced that the record for the most nationalities on a single aircraft had been broken.
For his part, Talal Omar, Regional Director of Guinness World Records for the Middle East and North Africa, congratulated the United Arab Emirates and Emirates on this exceptional achievement, saying the step reflects the spirit of tolerance and moderation enjoyed by the UAE, which has long been a safe destination for people of all backgrounds, ethnicities and religions, and adding that it was wonderful to see all these nationalities come together to send a message of tolerance to the world.
Emirates presented a certificate to the passengers who took part in this historic event as they left the aircraft, and organized an official celebration of the achievement, with group photos taken in front of the Emirates A380, which carried the Year of Tolerance livery on both sides of its fuselage.
