It started with just two wet-leased aircraft and served 14 destinations in its first five years. By the 1990s, it introduced video entertainment systems, cellular services, and fax facilities. Emirates expanded rapidly, becoming the first airline to sign up for the Airbus A380.
In 2005, it made history with the largest-ever Boeing 777 order. Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport opened, and Emirates partnered with Qantas for international connections. The airline invested in Dubai's infrastructure, creating one of the world's largest airline hubs.
Emirates received accolades, including being named the 'Most valuable airline brand' and the world's best airline in 2016. It also ventured into sports, signing a major deal with Premier League club Arsenal.
Emirates continued its expansion with aircraft orders, partnerships, and route expansions. It introduced the first-of-its-kind fully enclosed First Class private suite. The airline recorded 15.8 million passengers in 2020, becoming the largest international airline.
Emirates offers a robust rewards program called Skywards, catering to VIP clientele worldwide. It recently unveiled a secret invite-only tier program called Emirates iO, exclusively available to around 300 ultra VIP passengers handpicked by the President of Emirates.
Today, Emirates Airline serves 133 destinations in over 85 countries and remains a global aviation powerhouse.