Emirates by 2025: 55.6m passengers, new aircraft, Starlink rollout and more than 180,500 flights
Emirates has transported 55.6m customers by 2025, circled the Earth 29,290 times on nearly 180,580 flights and placed orders for 73 new aircraft, marking a year that underlines its size, ambition and long-term investment in the future of aviation.
When the airline celebrated its 40th anniversary in October, 2025 was defined less by nostalgia and more by momentum, as Emirates accelerates fleet renewal, expands premium offerings, deepens connectivity and strengthens its global brand across all fronts, sports and service.
Here are 10 highlights that have shaped the year at the Emirates.
The Emirates A350 takes off
The first Emirates A350 entered commercial service in early January with its first flight to Edinburgh. Since then, the A350 network has expanded rapidly, with 16 Emirates A350s now flying to 18 cities across Europe, West Asia, the Middle East and Australia.
The aircraft is expected to start in America with services to Montreal in February 2026.
Facing the East
Emirates has strengthened its presence in Asia in 2025 with two new destinations in China – Shenzhen and Hangzhou – served by daily non-stop flights.
The airline is also launching services to Danang in Vietnam and Siem Reap, Cambodia via Bangkok, leveraging the growing trade and business demand across East Asia and China.
Premium Economy extras
Throughout the year, Emirates introduced the next generation of Airbus A350s and relaunched the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft with its award-winning Premium Economy cabin.
Today, nearly 70 cities are served by more than 100 flights with the latest Emirates cabins, accounting for about 40 percent of the airline’s passenger fleet.
Starlink Wi-Fi
In November, at the Dubai Airshow, Emirates announced the rollout of Starlink Wi-Fi on 232 aircraft. Starting with its Boeing 777 fleet, the program will expand to make Emirates the world’s first airline with Starlink-equipped A380s by early 2026.
Installation is underway at approximately 11 aircraft per month, and it is expected that more than 123 aircraft will offer high-speed connectivity by the end of the year.
Emirates has announced nine major sports sponsorship deals and renewals through 2025, cementing its position as one of the world’s most visible airlines in the 2030s.
Key milestones include a seven-year partnership with FC Bayern Munich, making Emirates a Platinum partner and marking their return to the Bundesliga.
The airline also signed a landmark contract extension with World Rugby until 2035 – its long-term sponsorship commitment – and became rugby’s first ever Platinum Partner.
Additional agreements include a new partnership with European Professional Club Rugby, as well as deals with Real Madrid Basketball, AC Milan, Olympique Lyonnais, ATP Tour and UAE Team Emirates XRG.
Emirates Courier Express
Emirates has launched Emirates Courier Express, allowing package delivery directly to its passenger ships instead of going through multiple destinations.
The service now operates in 10 international markets after adding Australia and Germany, handling more than 50,000 packages to date with an average delivery time of just three days.
Emirates Skyward celebrates 25 years
Emirates Skywards marked its Silver Jubilee in 2025 with a commemorative A380 livery and a month-long member activation. The program now has 37m members in 190 countries and has flown nearly 400bn miles over the past 20 years.
Today, members redeem more than 800 airline rewards every day, with one upgrade processed every minute, and the program continues to add about 78,000 new members each week.
The airline’s ‘Aircrafted KIDS’ CSR initiative has distributed over 3,700 handmade backpacks to underprivileged children in eight countries in Africa, West Asia and the Middle East.
Engineering Conservation Assistants made bags out of over 50,000 kg of recycled material and filled them with essential stationery and local books. The program will expand further in 2026.
Accessible travel
Emirates became the world’s first Autism Certified airline, training more than 30,000 staff and ground staff to support customers with autism and sensory sensitivities.
Service improvements also include a safety-approved hooded mattress in Business Class, expanded subtitles and audio commentary on ice, a barrier-free airport design at Dubai International and plans to introduce wheelchair-accessible chauffeured cars in early 2026.
A long-term investment
In July, the airline opened Emirates First, an exclusive private check-in center at Terminal 3, Dubai International, designed for First Class customers and Skyward Platinum members. On board, the airline has improved its First Class experience with new menus, caviar dishes designed by Robert Welch and updated service details.
The airline also opened its Center of Hospitality Excellence in Dubai to train nearly 25,000 staff in Michelin-star service and introduced new baby products made with 50 percent recycled content.
