Emirates carried 55.6 million passengers on around 180,580 flights in 2025, flying distances equivalent to circling the globe more than 29,000 times, and placed orders for 73 new aircraft.
The top 10 milestones that shaped 2025 for the world's largest airline include:
Airbus A350 Enters Service
Early January saw Emirates put its first Airbus A350 into operation, with an inaugural flight to Edinburgh. Since then, the network for this aircraft type has expanded rapidly to 18 cities, currently served by 16 aircraft, connecting travelers across Europe, West Asia, the Middle East and Australia, with the network set to extend to the Americas when service to Montreal begins in February 2026.
Expanding Presence in Asia
In 2025, Emirates continued its expansion in Asia, launching daily direct flights to Shenzhen and Hangzhou in mainland China, as well as operating flights to Da Nang in Vietnam and Siem Reap in Cambodia via Bangkok. The expansion reflects the company's commitment to meeting growing demand for travel and trade in East Asia and China, amid the accelerating pace of economic growth in the region.
Premium Economy
Emirates continued to introduce new Airbus A350 aircraft and retrofitted Airbus A380 and Boeing B777 aircraft, all equipped with the Premium Economy cabin. Today, this cabin serves nearly 70 cities on more than 100 aircraft, representing about 40% of Emirates' passenger fleet.
High-Speed Connectivity via Starlink
At the Dubai Airshow in November, Emirates announced the rollout of Starlink satellite internet across 232 aircraft. Implementation will begin on Boeing B777 aircraft, and Emirates will become the world's first airline to operate Airbus A380 aircraft equipped with this technology in early 2026. By the end of next year, more than 123 aircraft will offer free high-speed connectivity enabling streaming, entertainment, work and browsing in all cabin classes.
Launch of Emirates Courier Express
Emirates launched "Emirates Courier Express", carrying shipments directly on board passenger aircraft without passing through intermediate stations. The service quickly expanded to 10 international markets, with plans for further expansion in 2026, achieving an average delivery time of no more than 3 days.
Accessible and Inclusive Travel
Emirates became the world's first airline to receive official accreditation as a "Certified Autism Airline", with more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff trained to support travelers with autism.
The company also launched an Accessible and Inclusive Travel hub on its website, offering easy-to-use browsing tools, digital sensory guides, and support services organized by type of disability or stage of the journey.
Emirates expanded its travel rehearsal programs to 17 cities around the world, allowing children with autism to simulate the airport experience before actually traveling, along with introducing new sensory products and calming toys on board to support neurodivergent travelers.
The company also worked to enhance barrier-free design and the use of biometric technologies at Dubai International Airport, with plans to launch a fleet of 10 wheelchair-accessible vehicles in early 2026.
Easier Travel
During the past year, in July, Emirates opened an exclusive check-in area for First Class customers in Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, offering seated check-in, to provide a seamless experience for First Class customers and Skywards Platinum members.
To view the post on the Emirates website, click here.
