Actress Penelope Cruz is the new face of Emirates Airline. Photo: Emirates
Actress Penelope Cruz is the new face of Emirates Airline. Photo: Emirates
Actress Penelope Cruz is the new face of Emirates Airline. Photo: Emirates
Actress Penelope Cruz is the new face of Emirates Airline. Photo: Emirates

Cruising at 42,000 feet: Penelope Cruz is the new face of Emirates airline


Hayley Skirka
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Emirates airline has signed Hollywood actress Penelope Cruz as the new face of its global advertising campaign.

The Vicky Cristina Barcelona Oscar-winner is to help showcase the UAE airline in a campaign being launched in June.

Airing in English and in Cruz's native Spanish, the campaign shows the actress sampling luxuries that are exclusive to Emirates' first and business-class passengers, such as the A380 onboard lounge, and the in-flight shower.

“From one hotel room, to another one,” says Cruz as she settles into one of Emirates' “game-changing” first-class suites.

Encouraging passengers to “fly better” by choosing Emirates, the Volver star also enjoys travelling in Emirates' new Premium Economy class cabins, chats to the cabin crew in several languages and watches a live-action football game screened on Emirates' in-flight live TV.

The campaign will also show Cruz settling in for a siesta on a lie-flat bed, wearing the Emirates' "hydra-active moisturising pyjamas" that are given to premium travellers.

“I’m thrilled to partner with Emirates after years of travelling with them on some of the most special trips in my life,” said Cruz.

“Emirates is all about Flying Better, where the journey to your destination matters as much as the place itself," said Richard Billington, senior vice president of brand and advertising at the airline.

"We take care of every detail in the Emirates experience and wanted a brand ambassador who reflects the Emirates brand – it needed to be someone classy, stylish, and having modern global appeal. Penelope was the perfect fit.”

Penelope Cruz onboard an Emirates A380 superjumbo. Photo: Emirates
Penelope Cruz onboard an Emirates A380 superjumbo. Photo: Emirates

The new campaign is the work of Robert Stromberg, a double Oscar-winning Hollywood director and visual effects specialist, whose credits include James Cameron's Avatar and Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.

Cruz takes over the reins as Emirates' newest ambassador from Gerry the Goose who also chose to “fly better” by ditching his migratory flock and travelling with the Dubai airline. The feathery star was voiced by British actor Michael Cronin doing his best Sir David Attenborough imitation.

She joins other Hollywood stars including Jennifer Anniston and Chris Hemsworth as the face of the airline.

Cruz has visited Dubai at least three times, most recently for Chanel’s cruise 2021/22 replica show, when she also appeared on the cover of Vogue Arabia.

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Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
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British group

Coldplay

Foals

Bring me the Horizon

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Bastille

British Female

Mabel

Freya Ridings

FKA Twigs

Charli xcx

Mahalia​

British male

Harry Styles

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Michael Kiwanuka

Stormzy​

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Aitch

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Mabel

Sam Fender

Best song

Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care

Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up

Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant

Dave - Location

Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove

Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved

Tom Walker - Just You and I

Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger

Stormzy - Vossi Bop

International female

Ariana Grande

Billie Eilish

Camila Cabello

Lana Del Rey

Lizzo

International male

Bruce Springsteen

Burna Boy

Tyler, The Creator

Dermot Kennedy

Post Malone

Best album

Stormzy - Heavy is the Head

Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka

Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent

Dave - Psychodrama

Harry Styles - Fine Line

Rising star

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Updated: May 31, 2023, 10:56 AM`