Image: Joe Ravi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Emirates Crafts 8-Foot Arsenal Badge Sculpture from Retired A380 and 777 Parts
To celebrate two decades of partnership with Arsenal FC, Emirates unveiled an eight-foot sculpture of the club's badge made from upcycled Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 components.
The gist
Emirates transformed retired aircraft parts into a massive Arsenal FC badge sculpture marking 20 years of sponsorship.
Emirates marked its 20-year partnership with Premier League club Arsenal FC by unveiling a striking new sculpture crafted entirely from retired aircraft components. The imposing 2.4-meter (eight-foot) tall depiction of Arsenal’s iconic badge was created using parts salvaged from Emirates’ Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 fleets. The artwork, named The Aircrafted Arsenal Crest, was revealed at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium during the Emirates Cup preseason event.
The sculpture’s centerpiece is the badge’s signature cannon, made from an authentic main landing gear wheel hub that forms the cannon’s wheel, while a reshaped titanium bleed air duct serves as the cannon’s barrel. The shield’s face uses sheets of aluminum fuselage skin from a Boeing 777, creatively shaped and supported by adapted aircraft cargo tracks that make up its border and internal framework. Lettering on the badge was fashioned from reshaped aircraft windows, lending an aviation twist to the football emblem.
A team of 15 Emirates Engineering Aircraft Material Upcycling specialists dedicated 34 days to crafting the piece. The selection of components prioritized strength and suitable shapes to be cut, curved, machined, riveted, and assembled into the final sculpture. Once completed, it was painted and equipped with lighting before being flown from Emirates’ Dubai hub to London aboard one of the airline’s SkyCargo freighters.
Emirates CEO Tim Clark praised the sculpture for reflecting the precision and ambition shared by both elite aviation and sport. He emphasized the craftsmanship involved and how the aircraft materials have been given a new lease on life through this creative transformation.
The unveiling coincided with an Emirates Cup match at the Emirates Stadium where the home team faced Borussia Dortmund. While Arsenal lost 3-2, the event highlighted the deep ties between the airline and the football club. The sculpture will now be displayed permanently in Emirates’ hospitality area within the stadium, visible to a select audience rather than the general public.
This commemorative project highlights the long-standing commercial and cultural relationship between Emirates and Arsenal FC, which began in 2006 alongside the opening of the Emirates Stadium. Over the past 20 years, Emirates has served both as the stadium’s naming rights holder and the club’s primary shirt sponsor.
The airline extended its sponsorship deal through to at least 2033, further solidifying its commitment to the club. This continuity marks one of the most enduring partnerships in sports sponsorship, blending aviation heritage with football passion in a unique and tangible way.
The use of recycled aircraft parts to create such a significant emblem also illustrates Emirates’ innovative approach to sustainability and material reuse within its engineering operations. By repurposing decommissioned airframe components into art, the airline not only honors its fleet history but also reduces waste.
The Aircrafted Arsenal Crest stands as a symbol of collaboration between two distinct worlds and their shared values of precision, dedication, and resilience. It commemorates a milestone anniversary with a tangible product that celebrates both Arsenal’s football legacy and Emirates’ aerospace expertise.
Frequently asked questions
- What materials were used to create the Arsenal badge sculpture?
- The sculpture was made from repurposed components of Emirates' Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, including a main landing gear wheel hub, titanium bleed air duct, aluminum fuselage skin, cargo tracks, and reshaped aircraft windows.
- Where will the sculpture be displayed permanently?
- The sculpture will be permanently displayed inside Emirates’ hospitality area at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in London.
- How long has Emirates been sponsoring Arsenal FC?
- Emirates has sponsored Arsenal FC for 20 years, since the stadium opened in 2006, with their deal now extended through at least 2033.
Read more
All Airlines →
Frequent Flyer Award Loopholes Close as Airlines Tighten Elite Perks
The frequent flyer ecosystem has operated on a silent contract between airlines and their most loyal customers, but now that contract seems to be ending. There was once a period defined by the exploitation of fixed award charts, complex routing rules, and the mathematical beauty of carrier-imposed surcharges. Travelers spent years reverse-engineering award flight availability, viewing the loyalty landscape as a puzzle where deep knowledge of program intricacies provided access to premium cabins for a fraction of their cash value.
British Airways to Power Up to 63 A320neos with Pratt & Whitney Engines, Ending Long CFM Exclusivity
The United Kingdom's primary flag carrier, British Airways, has selected Pratt & Whitney's geared turbofan, or GTF engine to power up to 63 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, ending decades of exclusive reliance on CFM International engines for its Airbus narrowbody fleet. So in this video, we take a look at why the airline is introducing a second engine supplier for the first time on its A320neo family fleet, and what this decision says about how airlines are choosing engines in today's increasingly complex aviation market.
Global Widebody Aircraft Shortage Grows Amid Boeing, Airbus Production Delays
The years after the COVID-19 pandemic have been tumultuous in the airline industry. While some airlines are succeeding, many are also struggling or have failed altogether, and strikingly, demand for new planes is up while manufacturers cannot keep up. Narrowbody jets are generally being produced at high rates that meet demand (although engines are a constraint), but the discrepancy between supply and demand is most striking with widebody airliners.
Vietjet to launch thrice-weekly flights from Western Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City in 2027
Asian budget airline’s link to new Australian airport from Vietnam commences at the beginning of 2027. Vietnamese budget carrier Vietjet is the latest operator to sign up to services from the new Western Sydney airport, with plans to open routes from January next year. Cargo flights have been operating at Western Sydney since 27 July and passenger operations are scheduled to commence on 25 October. Qantas, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand have already committed to serving the 24h airport. Vietjet will bring the number of airlines to five with a twice-weekly link to Ho Chi Minh City from 10 January 2027, rising to thrice-weekly in March. These flights will be operated by Airbus A330s. “Becoming one of the first airlines to operate at this new airport reinforces Vietjet's strategy of pioneering the expansion of its international network," says Vietjet chief Nguyen Thanh Son. The carrier's Vietjet Thailand venture also intends to begin a four-times weekly operation to Bangkok the following November. Western Sydney airport chief Simon Hickey says the Ho Chi Minh City route expands the number of links available, and "reinforces the choice, flexibility, and global connectivity" of the new facility. "Vietnam is an incredibly popular destination for [Australian] travellers," he adds. Vietjet's Ho Chi Minh City flights are being supported by an incentive programme from the New South Wales government, the Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund.
The Daily Touch & Go
The day's best aviation news in your inbox. Free, no spam.