The Emirates mock-up of a diamond encrusted on board lounge. Courtesy Emirates
The Emirates mock-up of a diamond encrusted on board lounge. Courtesy Emirates
The Emirates mock-up of a diamond encrusted on board lounge. Courtesy Emirates
The Emirates mock-up of a diamond encrusted on board lounge. Courtesy Emirates

After Emirates' bling 777, here's the 'diamond'-covered A380 onboard lounge


Ian Oxborrow
  • English
  • Arabic

Emirates often adorns the exterior of its aircraft with wondrous artwork.

Last year, it showed off what appeared to be the most awe-inspiring livery of all – a crystal-encrusted jet named the Bling 777.

It was only a work of art and not the real thing, but it looked fantastic nonetheless.

Now the Dubai airline has gone down the spangly route once again.

This time, it has taken the jewels inside the plane with the "Diamond" A380 onboard lounge.

Emirates shared the image, created by artist Sara Shakeel, across its social media pages.

The image shows the Airbus A380's trademark horseshoe-shaped bar with the seating along the sides of the cabin inspired by private yacht cabins.

The diamonds cover the seating and tables and wrap around the windows and bar area where shades of cream and touches of woods are normally seen.

Social media users liked the concept, with Twitter users likening it to a nightclub.

Ms Shakeel is a dentist-turned-artist from Pakistan who has more than 850,000 followers on Instagram.

Her sparkly artwork includes turning world landmarks such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Chicago skyline into glittery visuals.

She also superimposes crystals and diamonds on to everyday items such as coffee cups, bathtubs and even animals.

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Airbus A380 special livery history

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Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

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Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet

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Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?

Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.

They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.

“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.

He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.

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Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

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Bert van Marwijk factfile

Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder

Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia

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2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands

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