Emirates has been awarded Best Airline in the World for the eighth year in a row at the ULTRAs travel awards held in Dubai.
Chosen by 1.2 million travellers from Ultratravel’s global audience, the airline also earned the title of Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class, while Sir Tim Clark received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Services to Global Aviation.
Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, said, “It is an honour to celebrate our eighth year as best airline in the world at the ULTRAs, and we thank all the travellers who voted for us. At Emirates, we want every customer to fly better, and that is why we continue to invest in the Emirates experience. Whether expanding our global network, upgrading aircraft through a multibillion-dollar retrofit programme, introducing new hospitality training for cabin crew, or adopting technologies that support seamless travel, we keep raising our standards.”
Emirates was celebrated for its outstanding customer experience, a global network spanning over 150 destinations, and a fleet that includes Airbus A380s, A350s and Boeing 777s. The airline is renowned for its inflight offerings, including regionally inspired gourmet meals, an award-winning entertainment system with 6,500 channels, and premium cabins featuring private suites, onboard lounges and shower spas. Its focus on innovation also extends to lounges, airport services, chauffeur-drive offerings, digital solutions, sustainability programmes and specialised cabin crew training.
The carrier also secured the award for Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class, recognising its newest cabin, which continues to receive widespread acclaim, including Best Premium Economy by AirlineRatings.com. Emirates remains the only airline in the region offering Premium Economy, which includes dedicated check-in, cream leather seats with up to 40 inches of pitch, calf and footrests, elevated dining with a curated wine list, a 13.3-inch entertainment screen and a refined, intimate cabin design. The cabin is now available on flights between Dubai and 61 destinations.
Sir Tim Clark’s Lifetime Achievement Award honours more than 50 years of service to global aviation, beginning with his early career in 1972, followed by his move to Emirates in 1985 and his appointment as President in 2003. Under his leadership, Emirates expanded from a small regional carrier to one of the world’s largest international airlines. He was also recently recognised with the Distinguished Achievement Award by the Wings Club Foundation.
These achievements add to Emirates’ strong performance in 2025, which includes accolades such as Best International Airline, Best International First Class and Best International Airline Lounge from the Forbes Travel Guide Verified Air Travel Awards 2025, as well as Best Long-Haul Airline at The Times and The Sunday Times Travel Awards. The airline also received regional honours at the World Travel Awards and multiple distinctions at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards. Additionally, Emirates Skywards was named Best Global Airline Loyalty Program at the International Loyalty Awards 2025 and the Middle East’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme at the World Travel Awards.
(Inputs from WAM)
