Dubai, UAE — January 2026 — Emirates Airlines solidified its status as the world’s largest international airline in 2025, carrying 55.6 million passengers across nearly 180,580 flights, a distance equivalent to circling the Earth more than 29,000 times.
Marking its 40th anniversary, the airline outlined a year driven by a clear vision for the future of travel, highlighted by fleet expansion, network growth, and significant service innovations.
The year began with the entry into service of its first Airbus A350, with the network rapidly expanding to 18 cities served by 16 of these aircraft. Asian expansion continued with new daily non-stop flights to Shenzhen and Hangzhou in mainland China, alongside services to Da Nang and Siem Reap via Bangkok.
Emirates advanced its cabin modernization, rolling out its award-winning Premium Economy class across nearly 70 cities on over 100 refurbished A380s, Boeing 777s, and new A350s.
A major technological leap was announced at the Dubai Airshow: the rollout of Starlink satellite internet across 232 aircraft, starting with its Boeing 777 fleet. Emirates is set to become the world’s first airline to operate A380s with this technology in early 2026, with over 123 aircraft offering complimentary ultra-fast connectivity by year-end.
The airline’s global sports sponsorship portfolio grew substantially with nine major agreements. Highlights include a seven-year Platinum Partnership with FC Bayern Munich, an extension of its World Rugby partnership through 2035, and a new collaboration with European Professional Club Rugby, connecting it with over 70 million fans worldwide. Renewals included longstanding partnerships with AC Milan, Olympique Lyonnais, and the ATP Tour.
New ventures such as Emirates Courier Express expanded to ten international markets, achieving average delivery times under three days. The Emirates Skywards loyalty programme celebrated its 25th anniversary, now boasting 37 million members who redeem over 800 flight rewards daily.
In corporate responsibility, Emirates’ Aircrafted KIDS initiative distributed over 3,700 handcrafted backpacks with school supplies to children in eight countries across Africa and Asia.
The airline also reinforced its leadership in accessible travel, becoming the world’s first Autism Certified Airline after training 30,000 staff. It launched an Accessible Travel Hub online and expanded pre-travel rehearsal programs in 17 cities for children with autism.
Cabin enhancements included a safety-approved hooded mattress in Business Class and hundreds of accessible entertainment options.
The year concluded with Emirates winning 25 awards, including Best Airline in the World for the eighth consecutive year at the ULTRAs and Best Airline Worldwide for the twelfth straight year at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards. With orders placed for 73 new aircraft, Emirates continues to shape the future of global aviation.
