Happy Birthday Emirates

IATA ICAO Callsign EK UAE EMIRATES

AIRBUS A380-861 A6-EDN (CN 056)

The Emirates story starts back in 1985 when they launched operations with just two aircraft, an Airbus A300 B4 and a Boeing 737. The aircraft arrived in Dubai on the 20th October the previous year on a wet lease from Pakistan International Airlines. The Royal Family's Dubai Royal Air Wing also provided the airline with two used Boeing 727–200 Adv as a gift.
The airline was founded on the 25th March 1985 but commenced operations later that year on the 25th October 1985. On that day back in 1985 flight EK600 departed Dubai International for Karachi.
Emirates is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The airline is a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, which is wholly owned by the government of Dubai's Investment Corporation of Dubai. It is the largest airline in the Middle East, operating over 3,600 flights per week from its hub at Dubai International Airport. Before Covid Emirates flew to more than 154 cities in 81 countries across six continents.
Emirates is the world’s fourth largest airline by scheduled revenue passenger-kilometers flown, the fourth-largest in terms of international passengers carried, and the second-largest in terms of freight tonne kilometers flown.

AIRBUS A380-861 A6-EEL (CN 133)

In September 2021 Emirates was named the 4th World’s Best Airline at Skytrax World Airline Awards. In April 2019 Emirates continued its winning streak when it took top honours by sweeping five awards at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2019. The airline took home the highly regarded industry accolades for Airline with the Best First Class, Airline with the Best Economy Class, Airline with the Best Frequent Flyer Program and Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East. Recognised for its operational excellence and exceptional products and services – the world’s largest international airline also took home the coveted award of Best Airline Worldwide.

On the 1st March 2016  Emirates launched what was then the worlds longest non-stop commercial flight from Dubai to Auckland using a 777.

BOEING 777-F1H A6-EFM (CN 42231)     CARGO

AIRBUS A38-861 A6-EDO (CN 057)

As of today Emirates fly the world’s biggest fleet of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s with their current fleet being

• Airbus A319-100 x 1
• Airbus A380-800 x 121 (51 active - 69 parked - 1 scrapped)
• Boeing 777-200 x 10
• Boeing 777-300 x 123
• Boeing 777 Freighter x 10

Giving Emirates a total of 265 aircraft; below are a some of the different liveries we have seen on their aircraft.

BOEING 777-31H A6-ECF (CN 35574)

RUGBY WORLD CUP ON A6-EEK (CN 132)

ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP ON A6-EEK

UNITED FOR WILDLIFE ON A6-EEQ (CN 141)

2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL A6-EEQ

AC MILAN ON A6-EET (CN 142)