So far in 2025 its been a relatively quiet year for new adverts on Edinburgh Trams with just eight trams having seen new designs applied. But the end of May 2025 could be the start of that changing with (so far) five trams having received full wraps for Emirates – and if rumours are to believed they may not be alone!
The first five trams to receive these adverts are 257, 258, 268, 272 and 273. They all have identicial new full wraps for Emirates which features a mainly dark-ish red background and the full height sections show an air stewardess in the Emirates uniform and the interior of one of their planes. It uses the “FLY BETTER” slogan of Emirates.
The addition of these new vinyls means that several (some long-standing) adverts have now been consigned to the history books.
257 had been carrying a full wrap for Edinburgh Napier University since September 2024. The Emirates ad is its ninth in total.
258 had been advertising Rio Brazilian Steakhouse with a partial wrap having been applied in March 2024. The Emirates advert is its first full wrap and its sixth advert in total, although only its fourth commercial contract with two having been internal Edinburgh Trams promotions.
268 was last seen advertising Lost Shore in another full wrap. That advert had been on the tram since October 2024. Its another tram which now moves onto its sixth different ad since its first (which was for Parabola My Edinburgh Park between June 2018 and October 2020).
Up until recently 272 had been carrying an advert for West Craigs Village – it being one of the partial advertising style designs. This had been its ninth different advert since being one of those to receive CR Smith ads in August 2017. The Emirates ads are its second full wrap and brings it into double figures.
And finally (for now!) 273 had received three consecutive adverts for Uniqlo over the past year or so (first one added in March 2024), all of which were full wraps. It had also had another full wrap when it advertised OVO Energy between October 2023 and March 2024. The Emirates wrap is its eighth different advert, although its only had sponsorship from five companies during those wraps.
Although the first time they have advertised on Edinburgh Trams they are not a stranger to tram and light rail systems in the British Isles. Luas 3022 carried ads back in 2012 whilst Tyne and Wear Metro 4083 also advertised the airline in the 2010s.
A view of 272 in the depot during application of the vinyls.
A closer look at one end of the advert on 272 during inital application. (Photographs x2 by Nathan Burns, 27th May 2025)
257 approaches St Andrew Square with its new Emirates advert in place. (Photograph by Roy Calderwood, 31st May 2025)