Luxury in the skies: Emirates sweeps global airline awards for 2025
Dubai-based carrier is expanding routes while elevating passenger experience globally
DUBAI – Emirates has added yet another set of prestigious accolades to its growing list of achievements this year, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading airlines.
Among the latest honours are ‘Best International Airline’, ‘Best International First Class’, and ‘Best International Airline Lounge’ from the Forbes Travel Guide Verified Air Travel Awards.
Other recognitions include awards from the World Travel Awards, The Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards, and the Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards.
What makes Emirates the best?
For the second consecutive year, Emirates was voted Best International Airline by 9,000 frequent fliers in the hospitality industry, including luxury travel advisors and Forbes Travel Guide inspectors. Results were validated using a rigorous star ratings system.
Forbes highlighted that Emirates’ success stems from continuously refining every aspect of the passenger experience. Recent initiatives include a lounge-like check-in area for First Class and Skywards Platinum members, as well as becoming the first autism-certified airline, with over 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff trained to assist travellers with autism.
How is long-haul travel enhanced?
Emirates was also recognised as the Best Long-Haul Airline at The Times and The Sunday Times Travel Awards 2025, based on 900,000 reader votes. The awards cited the airline’s exceptional cabin crew service, luxurious First Class suites with private showers, and its fleet of spacious Airbus A380s.
The Times further highlighted Emirates’ global expansion, connecting the Middle East to five new destinations in 2025, including Shenzhen in southern China and Siem Reap in Cambodia, the gateway to the Angkor Wat complex.
First-Class excellence
Emirates operates the world’s largest international First Class network, offering 26,800 seats weekly, entirely composed of private suites. At the Forbes awards, Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER First Class suites won ‘Best International First Class’, praised for features such as floor-to-ceiling doors, zero-gravity seats, Bulgari fragrances, and gourmet dining from caviar to movie snacks. Additional services include chauffeured transfers, fast-track connections in Dubai, and exclusive airport lounge access.
Emirates lounges
Emirates’ First Class Lounge in Dubai earned the title of ‘Best International Airline Lounge’ from Forbes. The lounge offers extensive amenities, including dishes such as baked John Dory and 72-hour braised beef short ribs, a cigar bar, shower spas, a complimentary 15-minute spa treatment, and ample spaces to work or rest.
Direct boarding from the lounge is cited as a major convenience for travellers.
Which other awards has Emirates won?
In 2025 alone, Emirates has collected numerous additional accolades. These include Best Long-Haul Airline at The Telegraph Travel Awards, Most Recommended Global Brand by YouGov, and several awards at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards for Best Airline Worldwide, Best First Class, Best Premium Economy Class, and Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East. Its loyalty programme, Emirates Skywards, was also recognised as Best Global Airline Loyalty Program at the International Loyalty Awards 2025 and the World Travel Awards Middle East’s leading airline rewards programme.