Emirates in 2025: Top 10 developments that shaped the world’s largest international airline
A year of fleet growth, new routes and service innovation
DUBAI – In a year defined by scale, ambition and execution, Emirates closed 2025 with record operational breadth and a sharpened focus on what it calls the future of flying better.
The airline carried 55.6 million passengers, operated nearly 180,580 flights and effectively circled the Earth more than 29,290 times, reinforcing its position as the world’s largest international airline. Alongside these figures, Emirates placed firm orders for 73 new aircraft, laying down long-term capacity and network foundations.
While October marked the airline’s 40th anniversary, Emirates’ 2025 narrative extended well beyond celebration, anchored instead in fleet transformation, network expansion, digital connectivity, loyalty growth and industry-leading accessibility initiatives.
Here are the top 10 developments that shaped Emirates’ year.
The Emirates A350 takes flight
The arrival of the Airbus A350 into Emirates’ fleet marked one of the most significant fleet milestones of the year. The first aircraft entered commercial service in early January with its inaugural flight to Edinburgh, introducing passengers to a new generation of comfort, efficiency and cabin design.
By the end of 2025, 16 Emirates A350s were operating across 18 destinations, serving cities in Europe, West Asia, the Middle East and Australia. The aircraft’s network footprint continues to expand, with services scheduled to extend to the Americas when the A350 makes its debut in Montreal in February 2026. The deployment reflects Emirates’ strategy of matching next-generation aircraft with medium and long-haul routes where demand for premium comfort and fuel efficiency is rising.
Strengthening the Asian network
Asia remained a strategic growth focus for Emirates throughout 2025, with the airline deepening its presence in key markets across East and Southeast Asia. Two new mainland Chinese destinations, Shenzhen and Hangzhou, were added to the network, each served by non-stop daily flights, reinforcing Emirates’ long-standing connectivity between China and the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
Beyond China, Emirates launched services to Danang in Vietnam and Siem Reap in Cambodia, both operated via Bangkok. These additions aligned with rising leisure and trade demand across the region, as business activity and outbound tourism continued to rebound and diversify across Asia.
Premium Economy expands rapidly
Responding to sustained demand for enhanced comfort at competitive price points, Emirates significantly expanded its Premium Economy offering during the year. The cabin was rolled out across new Airbus A350 aircraft and retrofitted Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, ensuring consistency across a growing share of the fleet.
By year-end, close to 70 cities were served by more than 100 Emirates aircraft featuring the latest cabin interiors, representing around 40 percent of the airline’s passenger fleet. The expansion positioned Premium Economy as a core product pillar rather than a niche offering, particularly on long-haul routes where passengers seek space, service and value.
Starlink connectivity rolls out
One of the most closely watched announcements of the year came in November at the Dubai Airshow, when Emirates confirmed the rollout of Starlink Wi-Fi across 232 aircraft. Beginning with its Boeing 777 fleet, the airline outlined an aggressive installation schedule of approximately 11 aircraft per month.
By the end of 2026, more than 123 aircraft are expected to be equipped with complimentary, ultra-fast connectivity across all cabin classes. Emirates is also set to become the world’s first airline to introduce Starlink on the A380 in early 2026, enabling seamless streaming, browsing, gaming and productivity at cruising altitude.
Sport partnerships on a global scale
Emirates further consolidated its position as one of the world’s most visible sports sponsors by announcing nine major partnerships and renewals during 2025. The centrepiece was a seven-year agreement with FC Bayern Munich, naming Emirates as Platinum Partner and marking a high-profile return to Germany’s Bundesliga.
The airline also signed a historic extension with World Rugby through 2035, representing the longest sponsorship commitment in its 40-year history and the sport’s first Platinum Partnership. A new agreement with European Professional Club Rugby expanded Emirates’ reach to more than 70 million rugby fans globally.
Additional deals included becoming Official Main Sponsor of Real Madrid Basketball, renewing its long-standing partnership with AC Milan, extending agreements with Olympique Lyonnais and the ATP Tour through 2030, and continuing its association with UAE Team Emirates XRG. Together, these partnerships strengthened Emirates’ footprint across football, rugby, basketball, tennis and professional cycling.
Emirates Courier Express launches
In a move that expanded its role beyond passenger travel, Emirates launched Emirates Courier Express, a cross-border delivery solution designed to speed up international logistics. Unlike traditional cargo routing, the service transports packages directly on Emirates’ passenger flights, reducing transit times and handling complexity.
Following its launch, the service expanded to include Australia and Germany, bringing the total network to 10 international markets. By the end of the year, Emirates Courier Express had handled more than 50,000 packages, achieving an average delivery time of just three days across its operational lanes, with further expansion planned for 2026.
Emirates Skywards marks 25 years
The Emirates Skywards loyalty programme celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 2025, marking 25 years since its launch. The milestone was commemorated with a special A380 livery and a series of month-long activations for members worldwide.
Today, Skywards counts 37 million members across 190 countries. Over the past two decades, the programme has distributed nearly 400 billion Miles through more than 100 partners, covering 1,400 flight destinations and 30,000 hotels. Members now redeem over 800 flight rewards daily, with an upgrade processed every minute. The programme continues to grow at a pace of approximately 78,000 new members each week.
‘Aircrafted KIDS’ expands its reach
Emirates’ social impact initiatives also gained momentum in 2025, led by the expansion of its ‘Aircrafted KIDS’ programme. During the year, more than 3,700 handcrafted backpacks were distributed to underprivileged children across eight countries in Africa, West Asia and the Middle East.
The initiative delivered over 1,300 bags across Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia, 700 across India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, and more than 1,600 across Egypt and Jordan. Each backpack, handmade by Emirates Engineering Maintenance Assistants, was produced using upcycled aircraft materials, with more than 50,000 kg of seat fabrics repurposed from the airline’s retrofit programme. Each bag was filled with essential stationery and locally sourced books, supporting education-focused NGOs.
Accessibility and inclusive travel firsts
In 2025, Emirates became the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™️, with more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff trained to support customers with autism and sensory sensitivities. The airline launched an Accessible and Inclusive Travel Hub on emirates.com, featuring tailored guidance, digital sensory tools and accessibility-focused navigation.
Travel Rehearsal programmes were rolled out across 17 cities, allowing children with autism to experience the airport journey in advance. Onboard, Emirates introduced sensory products and fidget toys, alongside service enhancements such as a safety-approved hooded mattress in Business Class for passengers with severe mobility needs.
The ice inflight entertainment system expanded its accessibility offering with over 600 movies featuring closed captions and 200 titles with audio descriptions. Emirates also worked with partners at Dubai International Airport to support barrier-free design and biometric accessibility, while preparations continued for the launch of 10 wheelchair-accessible chauffeur vehicles in early 2026.
‘Fly Better’ as an ongoing investment
Emirates continued to invest heavily in premium and family travel experiences throughout 2025. In July, the airline opened Emirates First, an exclusive private check-in facility at Terminal 3, Dubai International, offering seated check-in and a refined, lounge-style environment for First Class passengers and Skywards Platinum members.
Onboard, First Class service enhancements included redesigned keepsake menus, Robert Welch-designed caviar bowls for unlimited caviar service, and new cheeseboards with artisanal presentation. The airline also opened its Centre of Hospitality Excellence in Dubai, designed to train nearly 25,000 cabin crew in Michelin star-standard hospitality through immersive, technology-enabled programmes.
For younger travellers, Emirates introduced 12 new collectible children’s toys and bags across three age groups, all made with a minimum of 50 percent recycled content and themed around the airline’s global sports partnerships.
The year closed with Emirates receiving 25 major accolades, including Best Airline in the World for the eighth consecutive year at the ULTRAs, Forbes Travel Guide’s Best International Airline and Best International First Class, The Telegraph’s Best Long-Haul Airline, and Business Traveller Middle East’s Best Airline Worldwide for the 12th consecutive year. The airline also secured APEX’s Best Global Entertainment Award for ice and a WORLD CLASS Award for overall customer experience.