In a historic milestone for Emirates and Airbus, the airline took delivery of its first Airbus A350 at a grand ceremony in Toulouse, France. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in Emirates' fleet modernization and its commitment to enhancing passenger experience while embracing sustainability.

The gleaming aircraft, adorned with Emirates’ iconic red, green, and gold livery, stood proudly on the tarmac as executives, media, and aviation enthusiasts gathered for the event. The aircraft, registered as A6-EXA, will be the first of 65 A350-900 that Airbus will deliver to the airline.

A Vision for the Future

Speaking at the ceremony, Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates, emphasized the significance of this milestone. “Today, we welcome the Airbus A350 to our fleet—a testament to our continued investment in providing our passengers with the very best. This aircraft offers unparalleled fuel efficiency and passenger comfort while reducing emissions, perfectly aligning with our sustainability goals.”

The A350 is set to complement Emirates’ long-haul heavyweights like the A380 and Boeing 777, enabling the airline to open new routes and enhance its connectivity between secondary cities and its Dubai hub. “The A350 will allow us to access destinations we couldn’t efficiently serve before,” Clark noted.

Pioneering Passenger Experience

Designed with passenger comfort in mind, Emirates’ A350 features cutting-edge innovations. The aircraft is equipped with advanced cabin pressurization and humidity controls, reducing jet lag on longer flights. Its wider cabin layout allows for more spacious seating in every class, including Emirates’ highly anticipated Premium Economy, which has already become a hit on its refurbished A380s.

The A350’s advanced in-flight entertainment system also sets a new benchmark, featuring 4K screens, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a massive library of entertainment options. “Our customers will experience the next level of comfort and technology with this aircraft,” Clark said.

The aircraft will receive its finishing touches at Emirates Engineering before being officially unveiled at a special event later in the week.

A Commitment to Sustainability

Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the A350 is one of the most fuel-efficient widebody jets in operation, consuming 25% less fuel per seat compared to older aircraft in the Emirates fleet. This efficiency supports Emirates’ broader sustainability initiatives, including its pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, congratulated Emirates, stating, “We are thrilled to see the A350 become an integral part of Emirates’ legendary fleet. This aircraft embodies the best of what modern aviation has to offer—efficiency, performance, and passenger comfort.”

A350 Launch Routes

• Edinburgh (EDI) on January 15, 2025

• Ahmedabad (AMD) on February 1, 2025

• Bahrain (BAH) on February 1, 2025

• Kuwait City (KWI) on February 1, 2025

• Mumbai (BOM) on February 1, 2025

• Colombo (CMB) on March 1, 2025

• Lyon (LYS) on March 1, 2025

• Bologna (BLQ) on March 15, 2025