Free 1TB data, runway-side seats: UAE-based brands prank residents on April Fool's Day

Every year, brands and individuals across the globe come together on April 1 for one purpose — to prank the living daylights out of someone.

This often results in hysterical marketing moves from some well-known and loved brands around the world, with many often falling for these.

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Take a look at some great takes on the day:

Love watching planes? Get runway-side seats

Who doesn't love to look out of the massive windows at DXB to watch planes land and take off?

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DXB took it a step further. In the "ultimate pre-boarding experience" travellers can grab a runway-side seat to catch the action on the tarmac itself.

This hilarious joke quickly garnered over 10,000 views on X, as netizens quickly asked if this was an April Fools' joke.

Free 1TB data

Can you ever have enough data? Virgin thinks not. In a cheeky post on Instagram, the telecom operator said it was offering 1TB of free data to a lucky winner.

But, before the viewer rushes to apply for the offer, the video says 'April fools!'

The brand does console the viewer by informing them that although this offer was fake, they can still get 5GB free on an e-SIM.

Want to live at the gym?

This one is for the 'gym bros'. Have you ever heard someone say, " you could live at the gym"?

Well, Gymnation, heard them (and you). In a hilarious post, the gym said, "Every hotel has a gym, but there aren’t any gyms with hotels… UNTIL NOW!"

According to the post, the hotel features:

• "Premium four-poster beds - located right in the middle of the gym floor.

• Dumbbell-shaped towels for extra gains!

• Exclusive “Push for Protein” buttons to deliver shakes straight to your bed."

Joe Jamaal and the Juice

Say hello to Joe's Middle Eastern cousin, Jamaal, who will be taking over from Joe — who is on a "well-deserved break".

The coffee shop said that it is rebranding due to a copyright and trademark conflict on a post, and showed a barista climbing up a ladder to somberly cover up 'Joe' on the signage with a large black sheet.

They are also "working on" getting everyone's favourite karak tea — or not.

The card of every saver's dream

What does the average saver want from a card? Detecting discounts? Or stopping you from buying something far too expensive?

The Dirham Stretcher does it all.

From 'automatic discount detection' to an 'overspend alarm' this card boasts of five features that are too good to be true (and, they are!). While not a 'brand', the Dirham Stretcher group on Facebook came up with its own play on April Fool's Day.

Take a look at what their dream card has to offer:

1. Automatic discount detection: Your card gently vibrates when you walk into a store with a sale. Works extra well in Dragon Mart.

2. “Too expensive” alert: Trying to buy something over Dh500? The card asks, “Are you sure?”

3. Zero balance mode = Budget LifeHit zero, and the app auto-generates weekly meal plans… starting with “instant noodles five ways.”

4. Overspend alarm: About to buy something not on sale? It lets out a dramatic “Noooo!” (Can be muted during brunch.)

5. Coming soon — Haggle mode: Just tap in-store, and the card tries to negotiate the price for you. Because… why not?

Meher Dhanjal

meher@khaleejtimes.com

Meher Dhanjal is a Digital Journalist who breaks news first and breathes second. She loves chasing page views and finding stories that tug at readers’ heartstrings.