Emirates is ending 2025 on a sky-high note with another five global accolades, this time scooped at the 32nd annual World Travel Awards held in Bahrain.
Closing out a year already overflowing with victories, the airline adds yet more metal to its trophy wall reaffirming its place as one of the most decorated aviation brands on the planet.
Adding to its impressive portfolio of more than 20 accolades received in 2025, the latest titles celebrate Emirates as a leading airline brand, as well as recognising its multi-award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice.
The awards highlight not just the size of the airline, but its consistency especially in delivering a passenger experience that continues to outperform global rivals.
More honours for Emirates’ First Class onboard experience and First Class Lounges, and another nod to Emirates Skywards as the World’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme 2025, World’s Leading Airline Brand 2025, World’s Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment 2025, World’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme 2025, World’s Leading Airline – First Class 2025, World’s Leading Airline Lounge – First Class 2025.
Each category win reinforces Emirates’ hold on the luxury travel market, setting standards that many airlines chase but rarely reach.
In November, Emirates was voted ‘Best Airline in the World’ for the 8th consecutive year at the esteemed ULTRAs travel awards.
Based on votes from Ultratravel’s global network of 1.2 million travellers, Emirates also scooped the ‘Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class’ award, as well as a prestigious ‘Lifetime Achievement Award for Services to Global Aviation’ presented to Sir Tim Clark.
The continuous streak speaks to a brand that doesn’t just lead it dominates with Sir Tim Clark’s recognition underscoring the leadership behind the success.
Aviation Business Middle East also awarded Emirates ‘Best First Class of the Year’ and the prestigious ‘Airline of the Year’ award.
The Middle East region, where airline competition is particularly fierce, once again placed Emirates at the very top.
Emirates also won ‘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 2025.
Sir Tim Clark was also recently recognised by the Wings Club Foundation with the prestigious Distinguished Achievement Award.
These accolades underline the airline’s global reputation from transatlantic reviews to British travel voters and the enduring trust placed in its premium offerings.
In September, Emirates received global recognition at the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO in Long Beach, California, winning 2 notable awards the 2026 APEX Best™ Global Entertainment Award for its inflight entertainment system, ice, and a 2026 APEX WORLD CLASS™ award for all aspects of the airline’s customer experience and brand.
The fact that the awards are forward-dated into 2026 further cements Emirates as an airline already shaping the standards of the future.
Earlier in 2025, Emirates was honoured with several awards including ‘Best Long-Haul Airline’ at The Telegraph Travel Awards, ‘2025’s Most Recommended Global Brand’ by YouGov, and multiple categories at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards, such as ‘Best Airline Worldwide’ for the 12th consecutive year, ‘Best First Class’, ‘Best Premium Economy Class’, and ‘Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East.’
From customer surveys to industry panels, the message throughout the year has been consistent: Emirates’ commitment to excellence is not slowing down — it’s accelerating.
