Emirates adds Dubai+ Emirati TV and an opera collection to ice, as Starlink reaches 55 jets

Emirates is adding a new channel to ice, its in-flight entertainment system. Dubai+ is a set of shows made in the UAE, and Emirates calls it the first Emirati entertainment channel on board. It arrives with an opera and ballet collection, a batch of new films and older classics remastered in 4K.

Emirates set out the changes in a September 28 release. It also gave an update on Starlink Wi-Fi and its new headphones. Here is what is new, and what is still vague.

What Dubai+ is

Dubai+ is the streaming service of Dubai Media, the company behind Dubai TV. It launched as a digital platform in January 2026. Dubai Media and Emirates announced the deal to bring it on board on September 17, at the Arab Media Summit.

The channel starts on ice in October with 10 programs, 35 episodes and more than 20 hours of viewing. The titles come from Dubai+ Originals, Dubai TV and Sama Dubai. Emirates names three: Dara, Wadima w Halema and Dannoun. The mix covers drama, comedy, documentaries, family shows and podcasts. New titles and episodes are due each month, according to the partnership announcement.

A "Dubai & UAE" section sits alongside it. It includes My Story, about Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai. It also has a short film about his time as an officer cadet, and short pieces on Emirati food, henna, art and farming.

Boutros Boutros, the Emirates executive vice president for corporate communications, marketing and brand, said the goal is to give travelers "a distinctive way to engage with Dubai's culture." Mohamed Almulla, chief executive of Dubai Media, said the deal "reflects an ambition that goes beyond content creation."

Opera, new films and 4K classics

The other big addition is ice Opera House. It is a set of full-length opera, ballet and symphony shows, some with subtitles in several languages. Titles include Carmen, Don Giovanni, Madama Butterfly and Swan Lake. Performers include The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet and New York City Ballet.

For film fans, the October list adds new releases such as Disclosure Day, The Sheep Detectives and Moana. There is also a run of classics remastered in 4K and HD, including The Godfather films, Citizen Kane, Lawrence of Arabia and The Lord of the Rings. TV gets 43 new box sets, on top of the 356 already there.

Emirates puts the whole library at more than 3,000 films and over 4,500 TV episodes. It also cites "up to 6,500 channels" of on-demand content in more than 40 languages. That last figure is the airline's own and it doesn't explain how it counts a channel.

Next-generation ice: what we know

Emirates is also growing what it calls next-generation ice. It lists these features:

• 4K and 4K HDR screens
• iceMoments, short videos to help you find something to watch
• An eye comfort mode
• Better live TV
• Spatial audio
• Features made for children

The release does not say which aircraft have next-generation ice, how many do, or when more will get it. Neither does the Future Travel Experience report on it. So for now, there is no way to know from a booking whether your seat will have the new screens. Emirates also doesn't say whether Dubai+ and the other new shows need the new system. Its release says films, TV, music and games are on most flights in every cabin, which suggests not, but it is not spelled out.

Wi-Fi and headphones

Starlink is now on 55 Emirates aircraft, the airline says, and the rollout is continuing. It did not say which aircraft types or routes have it.

Emirates is also adding new Bowers & Wilkins noise-canceling headphones in First. It expects them on most of the fleet by the end of 2026. Children get their own headphones.

Before you board in Dubai

Emirates' hub is Dubai International, and the airline runs five lounges there in our directory. All of them are open around the clock and sit under the Emirates lounge program.

First Class lounges. The First Class Lounge in Concourse A takes up a whole floor above the gates, and you can board straight from the lounge at many A gates. It rates 4.7 out of 5, with 20 showers and a craft cocktail bar. Our listing shows it open to Emirates First passengers and Skywards Platinum members. Business passengers can pay $175 to upgrade ($150 for Skywards members). The First Class Lounge in Concourse B also rates 4.7, with 20 showers.

Business Class lounges. These are open to Emirates First and Business passengers, though not on Business Special fares, and to Skywards Gold and Platinum members.

• Concourse C is our users' favorite, at 4.7, with 12 showers and full marks for food and drinks.
• Concourse B is the giant, with room for about 2,500 people and 30 showers. It rates 4.6.
• Concourse A also rates 4.6, with 20 showers.

Our listings say Skywards Silver members can use the Business lounges in Dubai for themselves only. Economy and Premium Economy passengers can buy entry for $175, or $150 for Skywards members.

One note for anyone counting on Wi-Fi: our users give the Wi-Fi in the Emirates lounges we checked 4 out of 5, a step below most of their other scores.

For more on Emirates' lounges abroad, see our story on its new Manchester lounge. For a recent cabin upgrade on one U.S. route, see Emirates' A350 to Orlando.

What we don't know

Emirates hasn't named the aircraft with next-generation ice, or the ones with Starlink. It hasn't said whether Starlink Wi-Fi is free, or for whom. It also hasn't given an exact start date for Dubai+ beyond October. We will update this story if Emirates shares more. See all Emirates lounges and ratings.