With over 540 passengers celebrating a shared sense of place and pride to call the UAE their home, the one-of-a-kind flight of Emirates A380 on November 29 made an impactful initiative to showcase the UAE’s spirit of unity and inclusiveness, marking the 48th UAE National Day and the UAE Year of Tolerance.
An Official Adjudicator from GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™, who was onboard verifying nationality counts, officially announced the historic flight having GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for most nationalities on an aircraft.
On his part Talal Omar – Director MENA, GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ said: “We congratulate both the UAE and Emirates Airline for making history today. This achievement reflects the keen to spread the spirit of tolerance and show the real image of moderation.”
The flight welcomed passengers from different backgrounds, ethnicities, religions and cultures and included families and children, Emirates Group employees, as well as People of Determination. Passengers were encouraged to come in their national dress, and throughout the flight, their colorful costumes became a vibrant collage honoring their different heritages and traditions.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group said: “It is in fact the diversity of the citizens and residents of the UAE that unite us and make us stronger through mutual respect and opening bridges of common dialogue, and today’s flight is a celebration of that spirit which is very much a part of our everyday lives here in the UAE.”
The airline welcomed as many nationalities as possible onto flight EK2019, for a special flight journey across all seven emirates. After passengers checked in, they were welcomed by Emirates cabin crew and were invited to take keepsake photos to mark the special event.
As passengers disembarked, they were handed certificates of participation for taking part in this historic activity. A ceremony took place in front of the aircraft to mark the record, and a group photo with all 541 passengers was taken in front of the Emirates “Year of Tolerance” A380.
Over 30,000 people across the UAE registered interest to become part of this special initiative.
