Emirates Carries 55 Million Passengers and Orders 73 Aircraft in 2025

Emirates capped a milestone year in 2025 by carrying 55.6 million passengers, operating nearly 180,600 flights, and placing orders for 73 new aircraft as the airline marked its 40th anniversary in October. Over the year, Emirates aircraft collectively logged the equivalent of circling the Earth more than 29,000 times, underscoring the scale of its global operation.

A defining highlight of the year was the entry into service of the airline’s newest widebody type, the Airbus A350. The first A350 entered commercial service in early January with a maiden flight to Edinburgh. Since then, the A350 fleet has expanded rapidly, with 16 aircraft now serving 18 destinations across Europe, West Asia, the Middle East, and Australia. Emirates plans to introduce the type to the Americas in February 2026, starting with Montreal.

Emirates also strengthened its Asian network in 2025, launching nonstop daily services to Shenzhen and Hangzhou, alongside new routes to Da Nang and Siem Reap via Bangkok. The expansion reflects growing passenger and cargo demand across East Asia as regional business activity accelerates.

Premium Economy continued its rapid rollout across the network, with Emirates introducing the cabin on new Airbus A350s as well as retrofitted Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. By year-end, close to 70 cities were served by more than 100 aircraft offering the latest cabin interiors, representing around 40% of the passenger fleet.

Connectivity was another focus area. In November, Emirates announced the rollout of Starlink Wi-Fi across 232 aircraft, starting with Boeing 777s. The airline expects to become the world’s first operator with Starlink-equipped A380s in early 2026, installing the system at a rate of around 11 aircraft per month.

Beyond flying, Emirates expanded its brand and services. It launched Emirates Courier Express, handling more than 50,000 packages across 10 international markets with average delivery times of three days. Its Emirates Skywards program marked its 25th anniversary, reaching 37 million members worldwide.

The airline also advanced inclusive travel initiatives, becoming the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™, while continuing to invest heavily in premium service, training, and hospitality excellence. Together, these developments reflect Emirates’ strategy of combining scale, product investment, and customer experience as it enters its fifth decade of operations.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aeronewsglobal.com