Emirates A350 makes its flying debut at Dubai Airshow 2025
Emirates officially opened the Dubai Airshow 2025 with a spectacular formation flyover, marking a historic moment for aviation: for the first time, Emirates' A350 flew alongside the Boeing 777 and the majestic A380, showcasing the airline's full fleet to the public for the first time since the arrival of the A350 in November 2024.
Leading the air show – one of the most impressive in the history of the event – was a formation of 60 aircraft, a symbol of the extraordinary aeronautical capabilities of the United Arab Emirates. In the lead, Emirates planes opened the parade, followed by other domestic commercial carriers and a military fleet of jets, helicopters and aerobatic teams.
During the performance, the iconic A380 flew at an altitude of 152 meters, followed by the Boeing 777 at 212 meters and the A350 at 272 meters, creating a perfect geometric alignment in the skies above Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Thousands of spectators enthusiastically attended one of the most anticipated events of the aerospace show.
A celebration of Emirati excellence
The Emirates section was entirely conceived and led by a team of Emirati professionals, testifying to the high level of expertise and national pride that characterizes the company: Captain Mubarak Al Mheiri flew the A380 at the head of the line-up; Captain Ali Almarzooqi and Captain Rashed Murshed commanded the Boeing 777 and A350 respectively; Captain Khalid Akram, Boeing Deputy Chief Pilot, served on the Flight Control Committee, coordinating the operations of the entire commercial section.
Precision and perfect coordination
Planning the air training required months of preparation and unprecedented teamwork, involving all actors in the UAE aviation ecosystem: from Emirates' operational teams to other domestic carriers, up to the Ministry of Defence, the UAE Army, Air Traffic Controllers and the Dubai Airshow Flight Control Committee, in collaboration with the aviation authorities DCAA and GCAA. Every detail (from flight routes to weather and wind conditions) has been analyzed with extreme precision to ensure an impeccable and safe show, worthy of representing the Emirates' global leadership in the aviation sector.
