Repurposing Emirates Plane Seats to Create Kids’ Backpacks

Emirates Airlines is making a positive impact by repurposing more than 50,000 kilograms of materials from 191 aircraft being refreshed. Instead of letting the materials go to waste, Emirates is transforming them into handmade children’s backpacks and schoolbags.

These bags will be donated to community schools and organizations that support early education in Africa and Asia. This initiative is part of Emirates’ environmental strategy, as the durable and non-flammable materials were perfect for upcycling into high-quality backpacks for children in need.

A dedicated team of tailors creatively designed a range of backpacks, working closely with Emirates’ Corporate Communications, Marketing & Brand team to identify where the bags will be sent. Extensive research was done to ensure the bags are safe, comfortable, and suitable for children to use.

Ahmed Safa, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President for Engineering, expressed the team’s dedication to the project, with many volunteers within the company eager to contribute and support those in need.

This initiative is part of Emirates’ major retrofit project, the largest known retrofit project in the world. With a multibillion-dollar investment, Emirates aims to fully refit 191 aircraft, including Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s. This project will not only enhance the customer experience but also provide opportunities for upcycling initiatives to continue in the future.