Emirates´ 2025 in numbers: the ten major milestones of the year

The airline celebrated its 40th anniversary in October, but the real story of 2025 goes beyond that milestone, as
Emirates charts its vision for what it truly means to “fly better” in the future.

Here are the 10 key moments that defined 2025 for the world's largest international airline:

Emirates' A350 takes off

Emirates' first A350 entered commercial service in early January with its inaugural flight to Edinburgh. Since then, the airline's A350 network has expanded rapidly, and now 16 Emirates A350s fly to 18 cities, connecting travelers in comfort across Europe, West Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and soon the Americas, when it debuts in Montreal in February 2026.

Looking East

In 2025, Emirates strengthened its presence in Asia with the launch of two new destinations in mainland China—Shenzhen and Hangzhou—operated with daily nonstop flights, in addition to services to Da Nang (Vietnam) and Siem Reap (Cambodia) via Bangkok. The airline has worked to meet the growing demand for travel and trade in East Asia and China, as business activity continues to expand in the region.

More Premium Economy, by popular demand

Throughout 2025, Emirates has added more next-generation Airbus A350 aircraft and refurbished Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, all equipped with the award-winning Premium Economy, across its network. Currently, nearly 70 cities are served by more than 100 aircraft featuring Emirates' state-of-the-art interiors, representing approximately 40% of the airline's passenger fleet.

High speed with Starlink

In line with its philosophy of offering a superior experience across its entire fleet, Emirates announced in November, during the Dubai Airshow, the implementation of Starlink Wi-Fi on 232 aircraft.

Starting with its Boeing 777s, the program will expand rapidly to make Emirates the world's first airline to operate Starlink-equipped A380s by early 2026. The airline will install Starlink at a rate of approximately 11 aircraft per month, and by the end of next year, more than 123 aircraft will offer customers free, ultra-fast connectivity for streaming, gaming, working, and browsing the internet in all classes.

Uniting fans through sport

In 2025, Emirates announced nine major sports deals and renewals, cementing its position as one of the world's most visible sports sponsors for the 2030s. Its flagship seven-year agreement with FC Bayern Munich made Emirates a platinum partner of the German football giant and marked the Emirates brand's high-profile return to the Bundesliga.

In addition, Emirates signed a historic contract extension with World Rugby until 2035, the longest commitment in the airline's 40-year sponsorship history and its first Platinum partnership in rugby. It also forged a new alliance with European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), supporting the competitions of Europe's most prestigious clubs and connecting the airline with over 70 million rugby fans worldwide.

Other notable agreements included becoming the Official Main Sponsor of Real Madrid Basketball; renewing its 18-year partnership with AC Milan; extensions with Olympique Lyonnais and the ATP Tour until 2030, as well as with UAE Team Emirates XRG. These agreements strengthened Emirates' sports portfolio, which encompasses elite football clubs, international rugby, professional basketball, Grand Slam tennis tournaments, professional cycling, and more.

Faster door-to-door service with Emirates Courier Express

Emirates launched Emirates Courier Express, setting new standards in international deliveries by transporting parcels directly on its passenger fleet, rather than routing them through multiple hubs. Shortly after its launch, the service added Australia and Germany to its network, currently serving 10 international markets, with further expansion planned for 2026.

To date, the airline has handled more than 50,000 packages, achieving an average delivery time of just three days on its routes.

Emirates Skywards turns 25

Emirates Skywards celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 2025 with a special livery on an A380 and month-long activations for its members. Today, the award-winning program boasts 37 million members in 190 countries. Over the past 20 years, Skywards has distributed nearly 400 billion miles through more than 100 partners, across 1,400 destinations and 30,000 hotels, with members currently redeeming more than 800 benefits daily and an upgrade every minute. This milestone underscores the program's position as one of the most valuable loyalty platforms in commercial aviation, adding 78,000 new members every week.

'Aircrafted KIDS' reaches thousands of children

In 2025, Emirates’ Aircrafted KIDS social responsibility initiative distributed more than 3,700 handcrafted backpacks to underprivileged children in eight countries across Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East, in partnership with more than a dozen education-focused NGOs. The program delivered over 1,300 backpacks in Africa (Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia), 700 in Asia (India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan), and more than 1,600 in the Middle East (Egypt and Jordan), each equipped with essential school supplies and locally sourced books. Handcrafted by a team of maintenance assistants from Emirates Engineering, the backpacks were made from more than 50,000 kg of recycled materials, including seat fabrics salvaged from the fleet renewal program. The airline plans to expand this initiative to more countries in 2026.

Firsts in accessible travel

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 its Accessible and Inclusive Travel Hub on emirates.com, featuring adapted navigation, digital sensory guides, and support organized by disability type or stage of journey.

Emirates also introduced travel rehearsal programs in 17 cities worldwide, allowing children with autism to practice the airport experience before actual flights. In addition, the addition of new sensory products and stress-relief toys on board helps neurodiverse passengers manage overstimulation during travel.

Service enhancements implemented in 2025 include a safety-certified hooded mattress in Business Class to reduce in-flight movement for customers with severe mobility impairments, and over 600 subtitled and 200 audio-described films on the in-flight entertainment system, ice, for customers with visual and hearing impairments. Emirates also worked to ensure barrier-free design and the implementation of biometric technology at Dubai International Airport for people with disabilities, and plans to launch a fleet of 10 wheelchair-accessible chauffeured vehicles in early 2026. 

'Fly better': a continuous commitment and investment

Over the past 12 months, Emirates has elevated its premium family travel experience with a series of enhancements both in the air and on the ground. In July, the airline launched Emirates First, an exclusive private check-in area in Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, featuring luxurious seating and a modern ambiance, allowing for a comfortable check-in and providing a seamless and elegant experience for First Class customers and Skywards Platinum members.

The airline also revealed details about the refined onboard service in First Class, such as menus that explore wine heritage and culinary inspiration, bowls designed by Robert Welch for its unlimited caviar service, complemented by gloved service from the cabin crew, and rustic slate cheese boards with wooden accompaniments.

As part of its investment in the highest standards of luxury hospitality, Emirates opened its Centre of Hospitality Excellence in Dubai, designed to train nearly 25,000 cabin crew in hospitality at the level of Michelin-starred restaurants, with an immersive fine dining restaurant, presentation kitchens and classrooms equipped with advanced technology.

On board, Emirates introduced 12 new collectible toys and bags for children, divided into three age groups and made with a minimum of 50% recycled material, inspired by the

Emirates closed the year with 25 awards, including “World’s Best Airline” for the eighth consecutive year at the ULTRAs, “Best International Airline” and “Best First Class”

Emirates has been named “International” by Forbes Travel Guide, “Best Long-Haul Airline” by The Telegraph, and “World’s Best Airline” by Business Traveller Middle East for the twelfth consecutive year. Emirates also received the APEX “Best Global Entertainment Award” from ice and a “WORLD CLASS Award” for global customer experience, among other accolades.

Source: Emirates.