The Dubai-based carrier bucks industry trends with sustained bookings on American routes while European competitors face declines linked to policy uncertainties.
Emirates has not seen any drop in bookings for US flights despite other international carriers reporting declining transatlantic travel demand, the airline’s CEO said.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the airline’s chairman and chief executive, told the Financial Times that demand “remains strong across the network and across customer segments,” with the US market “doing well.”
The Dubai-based carrier’s statement contrasts with recent reports from European airlines. Air France-KLM and Lufthansa have noted declining US-bound bookings, citing concerns over immigration policies and tariffs under the current US administration.
The airline is “used to volatility and has the ability to pivot and redirect our capacity as required,” Sheikh Ahmed said.
Emirates operates daily flights to six major US destinations: New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Washington DC, Chicago and Miami. The airline considers the United States among its most important international markets.
The carrier’s strong US performance contributed to record financial results for the year ending March 2025. Pre-tax profits reached $5.8 billion (AED 21.2 billion), up 20% from the previous year. Total revenue rose 6% to $34.9 billion (AED 127.9 billion).
First and business-class cabins drove much of the revenue growth, with Sheikh Ahmed noting that “premium cabins contribute significantly to Emirates’ profitability.”
The airline has invested heavily in fleet upgrades since launching its cabin refurbishment program in November 2022. Emirates has retrofitted 51 Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, with the upgraded aircraft now serving 38 destinations.
Nearly 40% of the fleet will feature new interiors by the end of 2025, according to the airline. Emirates expects to offer more than 2 million premium economy seats annually by that time across flights to over 70 cities. The figure is projected to double to 4 million seats yearly by the end of 2026.
Emirates currently operates 116 Airbus A380-800s, 120 Boeing 777-300ERs, 10 Boeing 777-200LRs, 10 Boeing 777-200LRF freighters and four Airbus A350-900s.
The carrier will debut its new Airbus A350-900ULR on the Adelaide route starting Dec. 1, operating under flight numbers EK440 and EK441. The ultra-long-range aircraft can fly more than 14,000 kilometers with over 15 hours flight endurance.
Emirates has taken delivery of four A350s as of March 2025 and expects to receive five more by year’s end. The airline holds orders for an additional 61 aircraft.
Each A350 features a three-class configuration with 32 lie-flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 28 premium economy seats and 238 economy class seats.
Key Takeaways
- Emirates reports no decline in US travel bookings despite industry-wide concerns about transatlantic demand.
- The airline posted record profits of $5.8 billion for the year ending March 2025, with revenue up 6%.
- Premium cabins and the introduction of premium economy class are major growth drivers.
- Emirates will debut its new A350-900ULR on the Adelaide route Dec. 1.
- Nearly 40% of the Emirates fleet will feature upgraded interiors by the end of 2025.
