The Emirates Airbus A350 made its stunning debut in an aerial display during the opening of the Dubai Airshow 2025, joining the airline’s Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 to create a remarkable aerial spectacle. This marked the first time the A350 participated in a joint airshow since it became part of the fleet last November.
The airshow featured a colorful formation of 60 aircraft, showcasing the remarkable capabilities of the aviation sector in the United Arab Emirates. Emirates took the lead with its commercial fleet, followed by other national carriers, and culminating in formations of military planes and helicopters.
The iconic Emirates Airbus A380 flew at an altitude of 500 feet, followed by the Boeing 777 at 700 feet, while the Airbus A350 soared at 900 feet, enchanting thousands of spectators over Al Maktoum International Airport.
A fully Emirati team managed the Emirates flight display, overseeing everything from planning to execution. Captain Mubarak Al Mehiri piloted the Airbus A380 at the front of the formation, while Captain Ali Al Marzouqi commanded the Boeing 777, and Captain Rashid Murshid flew the Airbus A350. Captain Khaled Akram, Vice President of Boeing pilots, was also part of the flight control committee overseeing the entire commercial aircraft display.
Organizing such an aerial show demands a high level of coordination and precision among various aviation entities, involving multiple teams from Emirates, other national carriers, the Ministry of Defense, the UAE Air Force, air traffic controllers, in collaboration with the Dubai Airshow flight control committee, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and the General Civil Aviation Authority of the UAE. This meticulous planning took into account traffic patterns at different times of the day, the airspaces being flown over, as well as weather conditions and expected winds to ensure a smooth and precise performance that reflects the expertise and capabilities of the UAE’s aviation sector.