Emirates (EK/UAE) is the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates. One of the world’s largest and most recognized brands, Emirates has risen from relative obscurity in its early years to become one of the most influential airlines in the world. Emirates launched in March 1985 with a fleet comprising two Boeing 727s, one Boeing 737-300 and one Airbus A300. Within 10 years of its inception, Emirates began to establish itself more firmly in the world of widebody operators with the introduction of the Airbus A330 and A340. Today, Emirates operates a simplified fleet comprising just 3 aircraft types: the Airbus A380-800, Boeing 777-200ER and Boeing 777-300ER. As of late 2023, Emirates is the largest operator of the Airbus A380. So, what does the Emirates fleet look like as of late 2023?
The fleet
Aircraft type Number in fleet
Airbus A380-800 121
Boeing 777-200ER 21
Boeing 777-300ER 124
The Oldest aircraft in the Emirates fleet
The oldest aircraft in the Emirates fleet is A6-EBK, a 17-year-old Boeing 777-31H(ER) registered in January 2006. Based at Dubai Airport (DXB), the widebody regularly flies sectors to destinations including Hyderabad (HYD), Nairobi (NBO), and Karachu (KHI). Bravo kilo is closely followed in age by Emirates’ oldest Airbus A380 A6-EDF, registered just one month later in February 2006.
What is Emirates’ newest aircraft?
Emirates’ newest aircraft is A6-EFT, a Boeing 777-200 freighter aircraft registered in April 2022 and operated by Emirates SkyCargo. The aircraft operates anywhere up to 3 cargo flights per day to destinations in Europe, North America and Asia.
Emirates’ newest passenger aircraft is an Airbus A380-800 registered A6-EVR, which joined Emirates in February 2021. This was the last Airbus A380 to roll off the production line.
The future of the Emirates fleet
Whilst Emirates has one of the most recognized fleets in the world, it is an aging one. The airline has made the news several times in 2023 with significant orders for new generation aircraft and custom-built freighters to expand and renew both the passenger and SkyCargo fleets. Most recently at the 2023 Dubai Air Show, Emirates boosted its commitment to Boeing widebodies, and scaled up its first foray into Airbus technology since the retirement of the Airbus A340.
As of late 2023, Emirates has orders for 205 Boeing 777X family aircraft (including 777-8 and 777-9s), 35 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (20 x 787-8 and 15 x 787-10) and 65 Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Unlike many other airlines, Emirates has shown reluctance to retire or replace the Airbus A380, with Emirates CEO Tim Clark lobbying Airbus to re-engine the double-decker widebody.
Have you flown on any of Emirates’ newest or oldest aircraft? Leave a comment below.
Cover photo: André Dias de Albuquerque, JetPhotos.
