Emirates Ends 2025 With Major Global Award Wins

Emirates is closing 2025 on a powerful high, adding five new global titles to its name at the 32nd annual World Travel Awards held in Bahrain. The airline, already celebrated widely this year, strengthened its position as one of the world’s most recognised carriers with fresh wins across brand excellence, inflight experience, premium services and loyalty programmes.

The new accolades include World's Leading Airline Brand 2025, World's Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment, World's Leading Airline – First Class, World's Leading Airline Lounge – First Class, and World's Leading Airline Rewards Programme for Emirates Skywards. The airline’s signature inflight entertainment system, ice, and its First Class offerings once again stood out globally, while the First Class Lounge at Dubai International Airport claimed its spot among the best.

These achievements add to what has already been a landmark year for Emirates. Just last month, it was voted ’Best Airline in the World’ for the eighth year in a row at the ULTRAs, backed by 1.2 million traveller votes. The airline also earned recognition for its Premium Economy Class and received a Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Sir Tim Clark. Aviation Business Middle East further honoured Emirates with ‘Best First Class of the Year’ and ‘Airline of the Year’.

The momentum continued across various international platforms. Emirates picked up Best International Airline, Best International First Class, and Best International Airline Lounge at the Forbes Travel Guide Verified Air Travel Awards 2025, and won Best Long-Haul Airline at The Times and The Sunday Times Travel Awards. Sir Tim Clark was also acknowledged by the Wings Club Foundation with its Distinguished Achievement Award.

Earlier in the year, Emirates earned recognition at the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO in the United States, securing the 2026 APEX Best™ Global Entertainment Award and a 2026 APEX WORLD CLASS™ rating for overall customer experience. Additional honours came from the Business Traveller Middle East Awards, YouGov, and the Telegraph Travel Awards—reaffirming Emirates’ consistency across long-haul travel, First Class, Premium Economy, and airport lounges.

With more than 20 awards collected across 2025 alone, Emirates has capped the year with an impressive run, standing out once again as one of the aviation world’s most dominant and trusted global brands.