Emirates Airlines has solidified its position as the largest international airline in 2025, transporting 55.6 million passengers on approximately 180,580 flights. Over the course of this year, the airline has traveled distances equivalent to circling the globe more than 29,000 times and has placed orders for 73 new aircraft.
The airline highlighted that a key feature of 2025, which it celebrated in October with the 40th anniversary of its operations, is the clear indication of its future travel plans. Emirates identified ten significant milestones for the year, including the inaugural operation of its first Airbus A350 in early January. This aircraft type has quickly expanded its network and currently serves 16 aircraft across 18 cities.
Throughout 2025, Emirates continued its expansion in Asia by launching daily direct flights to Shenzhen and Hangzhou in mainland China, along with new routes to Da Nang in Vietnam and Siem Reap in Cambodia via Bangkok.
Emirates also welcomed new Airbus A350 aircraft and upgraded versions of the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777, all equipped with award-winning premium economy cabins, servicing roughly 70 cities with over 100 aircraft, making up about 40% of Emirates’ passenger fleet.
Internet Connectivity
During the Dubai Airshow in November, Emirates announced the rollout of Starlink satellite internet across 232 aircraft, starting with Boeing 777 planes. By 2026, Emirates will be the first airline to operate Airbus A380 aircraft with this technology. By the end of next year, more than 123 planes will offer high-speed complimentary internet, enabling streaming, entertainment, work, and browsing in all classes.
Sports Partnerships
In 2025, Emirates revealed nine major sports agreements and partnerships, which included both new contracts and renewals. Notably, a seven-year deal with German club Bayern Munich established the airline as a platinum partner of one of the world’s leading football clubs. They also extended their partnership with World Rugby until 2035 and formed a new collaboration with the European Professional Club Rugby to support major club rugby events across Europe, reaching over 70 million rugby fans globally. Other agreements included sponsorship of the Real Madrid basketball team and a renewal of their long-standing partnership with Italian club AC Milan, as well as extended contracts with French club Olympique Lyon and the Tennis Professionals Association until 2030, in addition to support for the UAE cycling team, XRG.
Rapid Cargo Services
Emirates launched a rapid cargo service that expanded to 10 international markets, with further plans for growth in 2026, achieving an average delivery time of less than three days. The airline’s Skywards program celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025, now boasting 37 million members across 190 countries.
In 2025, the Emirates Aircrafted KIDS initiative continued to distribute over 3,700 handmade backpacks to underprivileged children in eight countries across Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East, collaborating with more than 12 NGOs focused on education. The initiative provided over 1,300 backpacks in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia, 700 in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, and over 1,600 in Egypt and Jordan. Each backpack contained essential school supplies and locally sourced books, with plans to expand this initiative to additional countries in 2026.
Emirates has also established itself as a leader in accessible travel by becoming the first airline to officially receive certification as an “autism-friendly airline.” Over 30,000 staff members have been trained to assist passengers with autism.
The airline expanded its pre-travel experience programs in 17 cities globally, allowing children with autism to simulate the airport experience before flying, while also introducing new sensory products and calming toys onboard to support neurodiverse travelers.
Improvements in service during 2025 included a special safety-certified mattress for business class, aimed at reducing movement needs for passengers with severe mobility impairments. Additionally, they provided over 600 subtitled films and 200 audio-described films on their inflight entertainment system to support visually and hearing-impaired passengers.
Emirates concluded 2025 by receiving 25 prestigious awards, including being named “World’s Best Airline” for the eighth consecutive year at the Travel Awards, “Best International Airline” and “Best First Class on an International Airline” at the Forbes Travel Guide 2025 awards, as well as “Best Long-Haul Airline” from The Telegraph and “Best Global Airline” for the twelfth consecutive year at the Business Traveler Middle East Awards.