Qantas Group (Australia) took delivery of 17 new aircraft in fiscal 2026, with 31 expected in fiscal 2027.

The first A350-1000ULR is set to arrive in April 2027, and 12 more each of A350s and B787s due, with the retirement of the A380 fleet from 2028. E190s will begin replacing the F100 fleet in the coming months.

Qantas

SPECIAL LIVERY - The new Airbus Flightlab Airbus A380 (2-JAYN)

Airbus and CFM International unveiled the new livery of an Airbus A380 that will be converted into a flying laboratory for testing Open Fan propulsion technology at this year's Farnborough International Airshow

Photo: A380_TLS_A350
 

Emirates Airlines / A380-800 / A6-EET - Courier Express c_s

Ton Jochems 
 

ROUTES - Global Airlines refocuses A380 hopes on Maldives

Global Airlines (London City) has revised its launch plans and will now aim to serve Maldives when it resumes operations. Chief executive James Asquith said the carrier aims to return to service "certainly this year", or before Christmas 2026, after its sole A380-800, 9H-GLOBL (msn 120), completes a heavy maintenance check. The aircraft, operated for Global by Hi Fly Malta, was parked at Dresden after the last of its grand total of four passenger flight in May 2025, before being ferried to Lourdes/Tarbes two months later. Asquith attributed the delay to MRO capacity constraints.

The start-up also plans to acquire another A380-800 to expand transatlantic operations. Global Airlines does not hold an air operator's certificate.

CH Aviation / Photo: Flyingphotos - Beja

 

SPECIAL COLOURS - The Emirates A380 dons its Gunners kit

Emirates has revealed a celebratory A380 livery dedicated to Arsenal FC, following the club’s triumphant Premier League winning season. Unveiled as part of the airline’s longstanding partnership with Arsenal, the bespoke livery reflects Emirates’ continued commitment to connecting fans with the world’s biggest sporting moments.

Applied in-house by Emirates Engineering, the decal stretches from the iconic tail fin flag to the middle of the fuselage and features four first-team players: Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard and Viktor Gyökeres. The Arsenal Crest is proudly emblazoned above glistening gold ‘Champions’ lettering, celebrating the efforts of the entire squad.

2026 marks a major milestone for Emirates and Arsenal, as they celebrate 20 years of partnership. Emirates serves as Official Airline partner, and holds naming rights to Arsenal’s home ground, Emirates Stadium in North London. The Fly Better logo is also featured prominently on the front of the Men’s, Women’s and Academy team shirts, marking the longest-running front-of-shirt sponsorship in Premier League history.

This new livery is yet another accolade to add to Arsenal’s trophy cabinet, after a remarkable season, which saw the club crowned champions of the Premier League last week. Today, the Arsenal and Emirates A380 will take to the skies for its victory lap, heading to London Heathrow as EK001. Planespotters and football fans alike can catch a glimpse of the airline’s newest livery, which pays homage to Emirates’ longstanding commitment to the game, the club and the supporters.

Emirates
 

SPECIAL COLOURS - Emirates unveils a striking new UAE flag livery on its A380

The latest livery raises the nation's flag higher, prouder, and further than ever before

Emirates today unveiled a striking livery of a large UAE flag emblazoned across the fuselage of its iconic Airbus A380 aircraft, the world’s largest commercial passenger aircraft. The new livery on A6-EVG, is an extension of the airline's iconic tail design, and a powerful tribute to the spirit, ambition and unity of the UAE.

This initiative is part of Emirates' ‘This Flag Will Always Fly’ campaign, responding to the nationwide initiative launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. This initiative called on all citizens and residents to raise the UAE flag as a unifying symbol across society, a shared responsibility and pride in the nation’s strength and cohesion during recent challenges.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group said: “We’re proud to respond to HH Sheikh Mohammad’s call to raise the flag as a tribute to the UAE’s unity and strength. Since our inception, every Emirates aircraft has proudly carried the UAE flag wherever it flies. This new livery is our way of honouring a home that has given us so much, and a nation that stands as proof of what is possible when we collectively choose, every day, to reach higher. There is no greater stage for our flag than in the skies, and no greater privilege for Emirates than to fly it with pride.”

The special livery features the colours of the UAE rendered in a bold, eye-catching 3D design that drapes elegantly across both sides of the aircraft. The moving canvas of national pride has already flown to New York and Brisbane and is scheduled to operate to more A380 destinations in the Emirates network, becoming visible from runways, skies and cities around the world.

Plans are underway to apply the flag design to an Emirates Boeing 777, the next largest commercial airliner in the sky after the A380.

The UAE flag is already a hallmark of every Emirates aircraft, painted across the tails of one of the world's most recognisable fleets, and carrying the nation’s colours across continents, time zones and cultures each day.

The special flag livery is one of many that have marked special national events and commemorations in the UAE. In 2017, the airline featured a customised decal of the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, with a bespoke livery for its 100th A380. The initiative marked the airline’s first initiative for the ‘Year of Zayed’, with 10 aircraft flying the special livery. That same year, the airline revealed the first of 40 aircraft carrying livery designs dedicated to Expo 2020 Dubai. 

EMIRATES / A6-EDW / A380-800 - (O/C)

Ton Jochems

First A380 with new Business Class takes off

Modernization of the first of eight Airbus A380s completed

“Mike-Charly” features new Business Class seats on the upper deck

First flight with the modernized cabin on April 23 from Munich to Los Angeles

Premium XXL: Lufthansa is retrofitting its eight A380s and installing a completely new Business Class in its largest aircraft. In the future, Business Class on the A380 will offer even more comfort and privacy at a new premium level. The new Thompson seats feature a seat width of 58 cm, a bed length of at least two meters, and flexible partitions—making this the most comfortable Business Class in the A380 ever. Each of the 68 seats is directly accessible from the aisle.

In addition, the in-flight entertainment system has been upgraded. In Business Class, guests can now enjoy feature films, TV series, music, digital newspapers and magazines on an 18-inch Panasonic screen and can also use, for example, their own headphones via Bluetooth. Also new are an interactive 3D moving map, cinema-quality sound, flight cameras, and a new intuitive user interface in all cabin classes.

Following the successful retrofit and the ferry flight to Munich two days prior, the first flight for D-AIMC “Mike-Charly” will depart for Los Angeles on Thursday, April 23. The aircraft will take off from Munich as flight LH452 at 12:15 p.m. local time and land in Los Angeles around 3:15 p.m. local time.

After just under twelve weeks, the retrofit of the first A380 was completed. Work on modernizing the next aircraft, D-AIMH “Mike-Hotel” in its blue anniversary livery featuring the XXL crane, began on the very same day, meaning that two Lufthansa A380s were in Dresden on Tuesday.

The retrofit program began in early February at the Elbe Flugzeugwerke in Dresden. In addition to the modernization of the Business Class, routine maintenance work is also being performed on the aircraft. All eight A380s are scheduled to be retrofitted by mid-2027.

Lufthansa
 

SPECIAL COLOURS - Lufthansa / A380 / D-AIMH - A380 after painting in Shannon: 100th anniversary scheme.

Photo: Dave Corry
 

SPECIAL COLOURS - Lufthansa A380 now with XXL crane

• Lufthansa Airbus A380 with blue anniversary livery
• D-AIMH in regular service from March
• Already the fourth aircraft in the special “100 Years” design

To mark Lufthansa's 100th founding anniversary, the world's largest passenger aircraft now also shines in a special blue design.Yesterday evening, the Airbus A380 landed at Munich Airport under flight number LH9901. It came from Shannon, Ireland, where it had been painted with an XXL crane and the lettering “1926 | 2026” and “100.”

35 colleagues worked on the Airbus A380 for exactly 34 days. They brought the 47-meter-long stylized crane on the aircraft to life and painted a total area of over 4,000 square meters. That is equivalent to about 16 tennis courts. The Airbus with the registration D-AIMH will start regular service in March.

The Airbus A380 is already the fourth aircraft to feature this extraordinary design. At the beginning of the month, a freshly painted blue Airbus A350-900 landed in Munich. A Boeing 787-9 and an Airbus A320neo, both based in Frankfurt, are also flying in the “100th anniversary colors.” Tomorrow, Friday, another Airbus A320neo with an XXL crane is expected in Munich.

A Boeing 747-8 and an Airbus A350-1000 will follow in the coming weeks. A total of seven special liveries will then be in service to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the first “Luft Hansa”. The aircraft will receive the special design either as part of a regular repainting program or, in the case of new deliveries, as their initial paint job at the factory. This means that there will be only minimal additional costs for this special fleet appearance in Lufthansa's anniversary year.

Emirates serves up a winning partnership with world no. 1 tennis player Aryna Sabalenka

Sabalenka reveals first tennis inspired Grand Slam tennis livery on A380

Emirates has today announced a landmark partnership with the world’s No. 1 tennis player, Aryna Sabalenka, who becomes the airline’s first tennis ambassador.

The milestone builds on Emirates’ longstanding commitment to tennis as the Official Airline of all four Grand Slams worldwide. To mark the occasion, Sabalenka unveiled an Emirates A380 aircraft adorned with a special tennis-inspired livery celebrating its sponsorship of the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open.

Sabalenka and Emirates both share a passion for excellence, innovation and a winning spirit. Dubai serving as a hub for Sabalenka's training and preparation over the years, positions her as a natural fit for Emirates.

The partnership caps a dominant period for the 27-year-old, who is now a four-time Grand Slam champion after claiming a second US Open in September last year. Sabalenka, who won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2023 and 2024, before finishing as runner-up at AO25, has also been crowned the WTA Tour Player of the Year for the past two seasons.

Reflecting on the announcement, Sabalenka shared:

“In tennis, every little detail counts - so to align with a brand which matches my ambition and attention to detail makes this feel like a natural fit.

Travelling in world-class comfort with Emirates has been key to my preparation. But this partnership represents much more than that - because it also highlights what we, as women in sport, can achieve on the world stage.

Stepping off this Emirates A380 in Melbourne I feel ready to make 2026 another year to remember.”

Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Executive Vice President for Corporate Communications, Marketing & Brand said:

“Aryna is not only a champion on the court but a global icon who inspires millions through her determination and professionalism - qualities that resonate strongly with our ethos at Emirates. With Dubai as our shared home, we already have a strong connection with Aryna, and this partnership allows us to elevate our engagement in a truly meaningful way.

Together, we hope to create unique opportunities for fans to experience the Emirates journey, both in the air and at the heart of the sport. Whether it be by offering live tennis through our ice entertainment system, or a taste of Australia through our in-flight menu. Emirates can’t wait to see what Aryna can achieve at the Australian Open and beyond in 2026.”

 

SPECIAL COLOURS - Emirates aces the skies with a Grand Slam livery

Dubai, UAE, 14 January 2026: Emirates, the world’s largest international airline and one of the biggest supporters of tennis, has unveiled a stunning new Airbus A380 livery celebrating its enduring commitment to tennis through its sponsorship of all four Grand Slam tournaments.

 Emirates proudly sponsors the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, The Championships, Wimbledon and US Open.

 The livery showcases a melange of tennis-inspired elements, with each Grand Slam logo framed within a tennis ball emblem and rendered in the tournament's signature colours. The Australian Open's summer blue, Roland-Garros' bold red-clay, Wimbledon’s signature green and purple, and the US Open’s striking yellow and blue combination are all creatively represented in the design.

 Aviation enthusiasts and tennis fans can look forward to catching a glimpse of the airline’s latest special Grand Slam livery as it graces the skies to cities like Houston and Sao Paulo, carrying the sport’s core values of sportsmanship, discipline and resilience all over the world.

The livery will remain in Emirates’ fleet for the coming years, with the first flight sporting this unique design having landed in Melbourne, Australia to mark the start of this year’s first Grand Slam tournament.

A multi-faceted sponsorship portfolio

 Emirates' extensive portfolio of global sports and cultural partnerships connects millions of people through shared passions and world-class experiences. The airline's tennis portfolio includes some of the most high-profile events on the ATP and WTA Tours, including the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships as well as all four Grand Slams (Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and US Open).

 Beyond tennis, Emirates' commitment to connecting fans across the globe through shared sporting moments spans horse racing through the Dubai World Cup and Team Godolphin; golf via the DP World Tour; cricket across all major ICC events and the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and Lancashire County Cricket Club; sailing with Emirates Team New Zealand, SailGP and Emirates Great Britain Sail GP team; basketball through the NBA, Real Madrid and Beirut Basketball club; cycling with UAE Team Emirates XRG; and Australian Rules Football with Collingwood FC. Emirates' iconic "fly better" branding appears on the jerseys of leading football clubs including Arsenal FC, Real Madrid CF, AC Milan, S.L. Benfica, and Olympique Lyonnais. Emirates also serves as Platinum Partner to FC Bayern Munich's first team. Emirates has been the title sponsor of The FA Cup for nearly a decade. In the UAE, the airline supports the Pro League and appears on Al Ain FC's training kit during the 2025/2026 season.

 

 

Etihad Airways’ A380 Gives Spectacular Flying Start to the Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

• Etihad’s superjumbo thrills racegoers at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, at the start of the highly anticipated racing season finale
• Eligible Etihad Guest members enjoyed accessed to exclusive trackside Hospitality on the Hill
• F1 Village features Etihad activation with culinary showcase, activities for children and simulator experiences for F1 visitors to enjoy

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline, thrilled thousands of racegoers and spectators worldwide as the A380 Superjumbo took to the skies to mark the start of the Formula 1 racing season finale.

With the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix attracting millions of viewers worldwide, all eyes were on the sky with the A380 low-level fly-past, accompanied by the Al Fursan Aerobatic Team. The aerobatic jets coloured the air with red, green and black celebrating the colours of the UAE flag.

Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said, “The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is one of the most exhilarating times in Abu Dhabi, attracting thousands of international visitors from around the world.

“The fly-past over Yas Marina Circuit is a tradition which Etihad began with the first race in Abu Dhabi in 2009, and we’re honoured to see the Etihad livery fly over this spectacular circuit, accompanied by the talented Al Fursan jets.”

The A380 was operated by Etihad’s senior pilots, Captain Adel Al Zubaidi, Captain Azizan Bin Othman, Captain Harris Kynigos and Captain Abdulla Alafeefi, who trained rigorously to perform the low-level fly past.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place annually on Yas Island, which has firmly established as one of the world’s leading entertainment and leisure destinations. Theme parks, world-class shopping, Yas Bay Waterfront, Etihad Arena, Etihad Park and a full calendar of events, ensure the island is well-placed to attract a growing number of visitors every year.

 

FLEET - Qantas Completes A380 Fleet Renewal As Final Superjumbo Returns To International Flying

VH-OQC 12 Year Check Completion with Captain Dirk Dahmen

Qantas has welcomed its tenth and final A380 back to Sydney today after nearly six years in storage, marking the largest maintenance check in airline's 105-year history.
The return of the aircraft, named after one of the Qantas founders, ‘Paul McGinness’ will serve as an operational spare during the Christmas period and from 1 January 2026 will boost international capacity by allowing daily A380 flying on the airline’s Sydney – Dallas route.
As the largest passenger aircraft in the world, the A380 has unique engineering requirements, and maintenance and engineering teams from around the world have completed more than 100,000 hours of work along with a full cabin refresh to prepare ‘Paul McGinness’ to rejoin the international fleet. This is the largest maintenance check completed in Qantas’ 105-year history, representing a significant milestone for its engineering and fleet renewal programs.
Qantas has progressively brought its A380 fleet back into service over the last few years. Each aircraft has undergone extensive engineering checks along with a full cabin refurbishment before returning to the fleet.

VH-OQC Completes 12-Year Check

Comments from Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace

“We know our customers love our A380 aircraft and last year our superjumbo fleet carried over 1 million people on our international network. The return of our final A380 means we can offer even more seats on popular long-haul routes to destinations like Dallas, Singapore and Johannesburg.

“Bringing an A380 back into service after nearly six years in storage is no small feat. Teams of engineers around the globe came together to complete more than 100,000 hours of work to prepare the aircraft for flying again, from extensive checks to heavy maintenance, landing gear replacement, a full cabin refresh and assessment flying, with parts shipped by land, sea and sky”.

“When this aircraft lands today it will have been nearly 2,000 days since it last touched Australian soil, and we’re proud to return it to the skies.”

Each Qantas A380 aircraft features 14 First, 70 Business, 60 Premium Economy and 341 Economy seats. All Qantas A380 aircraft have undergone a full cabin refresh and reconfiguration including a refurbished First cabin and upper deck lounge, and more premium seats in Business and Premium Economy. 

VH-OQC Operating Crew for AUH-LAX

As part of its A380 fleet renewal, Qantas recently announced plans to roll out a suite of enhancements for First cabin customers travelling on the A380 including elevated dining options, exclusive Aesop amenity kits, Bollinger champagne and redesigned pyjamas.
The return of the final Qantas A380 will allow daily flying on Qantas’ Sydney-Dallas route, boosting international capacity and unlocking more one-stop connections to over 230 destinations across the US through Qantas’ partnership with American Airlines.
QANTAS
 

ROUTES - Etihad Airways will deploy its Airbus A380 to Tokyo Narita from June 16, 2026.

Tokyo joins London, Paris, Toronto and Singapore on the carrier’s A380 network as the airline prepares to return its eighth A380 to service.

Image: Etihad Airways

SPECIAL LIVERY - Emirates A380 (A6-EUE) with a special silver livery to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its Skywards loyalty program

 Photo: Stuart Prince

ROUTES - Emirates tops JFK Fly Quiet Programme rankings, reinforcing commitment to quieter flying

Only airline to be recognised with Gold Tier status for 2024 among all participating carriers in the JFK Fly Quiet Programme, securing top score of 92.9 - significantly outperforming other carriers

Every aircraft in the airline's fleet meets ICAO Chapter 4 or Chapter 14 noise standards, reflecting ongoing investment in modern, quieter, and more fuel-efficient aircraft technologies

Airline's comprehensive noise reduction strategy rooted in procedural rigour, innovative technology, and stakeholder collaboration to exceed regulatory expectations, making skies quieter

Dubai, UAE 23 October 2025: Emirates has been awarded the prestigious Gold Tier recognition in New York JFK Airport's 2024 Fly Quiet Programme, the only airline to achieve this distinction. Emirates’ score of 92.9[1] significantly outpaced other carriers flying into the airport and taking part in the programme.

The Fly Quiet Programme, developed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, is a voluntary initiative that encourages airlines to minimise their noise signature through utilising quieter aircraft as well as embracing noise abatement procedures and preferential runway usage.

This Gold Tier recognition reflects the airline’s commitment to noise reduction at one of the world's busiest and most operationally complex airports. Since the programme's inception, Emirates has collaborated closely with the Port Authority, with the airline’s Flight Operations team making sustained efforts to exceed all the programme’s requirements. The latest accolade at one of the world's busiest international hubs follows a series of industry recognitions in noise management over the years, including Silver Tier status at Newark (EWR) and the Chairperson's Award at San Francisco’s (SFO) Fly Quiet programmes.

Emirates’ fleet noise levels register a notable cumulative margin which is better than 12 EPNdB over ICAO Chapter 4 requirements[2]. The airline’s all wide-body fleet and high-capacity operations efficiently transport passengers, while achieving optimised noise output by delivering an average of 1.75 million passenger-kilometres per sector, which involves one arrival and one departure noise event[3]. Simply put, this means fuller aircraft flying non-stop over longer distances, all while optimising noise output.

Operational efficiency through high-capacity long-range aircraft helps deliver significant overall noise efficiency. Consider a route serving 500 daily passengers, which a single Emirates Airbus A380 wide-body aircraft completes with one arrival and one departure noise event. Operations on the same routing using smaller aircraft, which have different noise characteristics in comparison to Emirates aircraft, may require up to three flights in each direction as well as a tech-stop, generating a total of six arrival and six departure noise events for the same operation. The nature of the airline’s network and high-capacity operations driven by a fleet of wide-body aircraft is how Emirates’ operational model optimises noise output while maintaining vital connectivity for communities.

Air connectivity delivers community benefits that extend far beyond airport boundaries, linking families and friends across continents, generating substantial economic activity in local communities, creating employment opportunities, and facilitating international trade and tourism to drive prosperity.

A commitment to quieter skies

Aircraft noise abatement is vital for protecting the health and quality of life of airport-adjacent communities. The airline's commitment to minimising its noise impact reflects its support for local communities in the destinations it serves, recognising that even small decisions in flight operations can lead to meaningful noise reduction on the ground.

The airline's noise reduction strategy pursues every available means while maintaining the highest standards of operational diligence, including:

Compliance to noise abatement and curfews: Emirates’ noise management strategy mandates strict adherence to Noise Abatement Departure Procedures (NADP). These procedures, published by state authorities, are integrated into Emirates’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) and are meticulously followed by all flight crews. The airline also ensures ongoing alignment with airport-specific curfews and restrictions, respecting local guidelines at every destination.

Prioritising noise preferential runways: Emirates proactively utilises Noise Preferential Runways whenever operationally viable, even when facing challenging conditions such as tailwinds, provided safety standards are maintained.

Transparent monitoring and accountability: Accountability drives Emirates’ operational approach. Any deviation from noise procedures triggers mandatory crew reports, which undergo rigorous review to identify root causes and implement improvements. This continuous feedback loop supports the airline's commitment to ongoing improvement and responsible operations.

A quieter fleet: Emirates operates one of the industry's quietest widebody fleets, achieving cumulative EPNdB margins meeting or better than ICAO Chapter 4 and Chapter 14 standards. Ongoing fleet modernisation investments ensure that noise performance keeps pace with technological advancement and continues to improve in the coming years.

Collaborative engagement with stakeholders: Emirates’ approach to noise management extends beyond technical excellence, with collaborative partnerships playing a central role in contributing insights and sharing industry best practices.  The airline actively engages in airport authority roundtables and focus groups and rigorously complies with all regulatory documentation and reporting requirements, helping to build lasting trust and transparency with regulators and communities alike.

 

 

SPECIAL COLOURS - Soaring into a Silver Jubilee - Emirates Skywards turns 25!

Award-winning loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai is celebrating 25 years of redefining the loyalty experience.

To commemorate the milestone, Emirates has announced it will unveil a bespoke ’25 years’ aircraft livery that will traverse all corners of the globe starting next month.

Skywards gives back to its 37 million members with 25 days of generous giveaways.

Dubai, UAE: 25 September 2025 – 25 years of innovation, excellence and redefining the loyalty experience for more than 37 million members worldwide. Emirates Skywards, the award-winning loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, is celebrating its Silver Jubilee by giving back to its members with 25 days of prestigious prizes from 25 September – 20 October. From bonus Miles, surprise activities, to a whopping 25 million Skywards Miles raffle – the loyalty programme is marking its quarter-century milestone with unforgettable ‘fly better’ moments in the air and on ground.

Emirates has also announced it will unveil a bespoke ’25 years’ aircraft livery featuring a striking silver design to celebrate the loyalty programme’s Silver Jubilee. The special decal aircraft is set to spread its wings starting from next month, flying across to all corners of the globe.

Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, said:

“25 years! We are thrilled to celebrate such a monumental milestone. Emirates Skywards is a true success story – one that was born in Dubai and has now become one of the most recognised and loved loyalty programmes in the world with millions of members based in the UK, US, UAE, India, Australia and beyond.



Our success stems from always placing members first. Over the years, we listened, adapted, and innovated. We continuously introduced new, personalised offerings to create valuable and memorable rewards to our members worldwide. It has been an incredible journey made possible thanks to the trust and confidence of our members. Thank you for being at the heart of our story. And what better way to celebrate than give back to our community with 25 days of nonstop surprises and offers– all while we take our loyalty message global with the special Emirates A380 ’25 years’ livery.

Thank you to our partners, members, and dedicated team for making Skywards one of the most valued loyalty programmes in the world.”

25 days of giving back

Members can look forward to 25 days of exciting giveaways from 25 September – 20 October, including:


25 Million Miles Raffle draw: As part of a whopping 25 million Skywards Miles giveaway, members can enter the raffle for a chance to win 100,000 Miles or 250,000 Miles, with one lucky winner taking home 1 million Miles. Whether you're a longtime Skywards member or have just joined the programme - simply register and earn Skywards Miles between 25 September and 20 October with Emirates, flydubai and participating partners, to enter the draw and have a chance win.

Bonus Miles: members can boost their Skywards Miles in many ways

50% bonus Skywards Miles when booking with Emirates and flydubai.

25% bonus Miles just by booking with partner airlines, shopping, dining, or unwinding in the UAE with Skywards Everyday partners, shopping online on Skywards Miles Mall, booking through Emirates Skywards Hotels, using an Emirates Skywards Credit Card or spending with any participating travel and lifestyle partners.

Up to 50% bonus Miles on an early bird ‘Buy or Gift’ Miles offer.

Surprise & delight at Dubai International (DXB): In early October, passengers travelling to and from Dubai Airport (DXB) can play interactive quizzes to win Skywards Miles, as well as get complimentary airport lounge access and Dubai Duty Free vouchers. Customers can also look forward to complimentary ice-cream served from branded ‘Skywards’ ice cream trucks as a refreshing treat. Activity kicks off in Terminal 3 from 1-5 October and continues in Terminal 2 from 8-9 October.

‘Spot the tag’: Arrive in Dubai and keep your eyes peeled for special tags placed on luggage at the baggage belts. You will be rewarded with complimentary lounge access, Emirates branded merchandise, and bonus Skywards Miles via Skywards Everyday, Skywards Miles Mall, and Emirates Skywards Hotels. The special tags will be appearing for customers in Terminal 3 from the 1-3 October, and for customers in Terminal 2 from the 8-9 October.

Exclusive surprises unlocked for longstanding premium members: Loyalty pays off! Long-term members who have consistently made the most of Skywards can look forward to even more exclusive surprises including Tier upgrades, cabin upgrades, exclusive anniversary goodies and more.

Double the decade, close to 500X the growth
Since its inception in 2000, Emirates Skywards has grown at a rapid pace. The loyalty programme has achieved the following standout highlights;

Members
More than 37 million members from more than 190 countries.
From 76,000 members in its first year; to 37 million members in 2025 and growing!
More than 78,000 new enrolments every week.

Partners
Emirates Skywards features more than 100 partners in the programme including:

More than 1,400 flight destinations via Emirates, flydubai and other airline partners.
More than 30,000 hotel properties.
20 Emirates Skywards Credit/Debit Cards.
37 Points conversion partners.
Over 7200 retail and lifestyle brands.
5 Car rental partners covering 50,000 locations.

Earn & Spend
More than 120,000 transactions earning Skywards Miles every day.
Close to 400 billion Miles redeemed on upgrades and flight rewards since its first year.
Over 800 Classic Rewards redeemed every day on Emirates.
A total of 48 events have been offered for redemption to Skywards Members through Skywards Exclusives in the last 12 months, including unforgettable experiences at the FA Cup 2025 (UK), US Open (United States), Wimbledon (UK), Roland Garros (France) & Coca-Cola Arena (UAE)
1 upgrade reward on Emirates redeemed every minute!

‘Earn better’ and ‘Spend better’
Crowned ‘Best Global Airline Loyalty Program’ at the International Loyalty Awards 2025 – Emirates Skywards has topped the award charts for two decades with leading industry award wins. The programme offers four tiers of membership: Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with each tier earning exclusive privileges. Members can earn Skywards Miles with partners ranging from airlines, hotels and car rentals to financial, leisure and lifestyle brands. Skywards Miles can be spent on an extensive range of rewards, including flight tickets with Emirates and partner airlines, flight upgrades, hotel stays, and money-can’t-buy experiences.

Enter the Emirates Skywards 25 Million Miles Raffle

ROUTES - QANTAS NS26 INTERCONTINENTAL NETWORK CHANGES – 22SEP25

 Photo: Duncan Stewart

Qantas in recent schedule update filed additional changes to its intercontinental operation for Northern summer 2026 season. Latest adjustment as of 22SEP25 as follows.

Melbourne – Dallas/Ft. Worth eff 07MAY26 Reduce from 4 to 3 weekly, 787-9
Melbourne – Hong Kong 05MAY26 – 16JUN26 Reduce from 7 to 6 weekly, A330-200/-300
Sydney – Auckland – New York JFK 23JUN26 – 03OCT26 Increase from 5 to 7 weekly, 787-9
Sydney – Santiago de Chile eff 05MAY26 Reduce from 6 to 4 weekly, 787-9

Previously reported changes:
Darwin – Singapore eff 29MAR26 Mainline 737-800 service maintained, 4 weekly
Perth – Rome Fiumicino eff 03MAY26 Service operates 8-week earlier than planned, 3 weekly 787-9 (4 weekly 27JUN26 – 26SEP26; Previous: 3 weekly from 21JUN26)
Sydney – Bangalore eff 29MAR26 Increase from 5 weekly in NS25 to 6 weekly, A330-200
Sydney – Bangkok Suvarnabhumi eff 29MAR26 Mainline A330-200/-300 replaces Finnair A330-300, 1 daily
Sydney – Honolulu eff 30MAR26 Finnair A330-300 replaces 787-9, 5 weekly
Sydney – Noumea eff 29MAR26 Increase from 3 weekly in NS25 to 4 weekly, 737-800
Sydney – Singapore eff 29MAR26 Nonstop terminator tentatively scheduled 1 daily, 2 of 7 weekly A380 replaces A330-300
Sydney – Vancouver 29MAR26 – 30APR26 Increase from 3 to 4 weekly, 787-9

ROUTES - LUFTHANSA NW25 INTERCONTINENTAL SERVICE CHANGES – 11SEP25

Lufthansa this week filed latest update to its planned intercontinental network for Northern winter 2025/26 season, which sees the airline ramps up Boeing 787-9 service entry on various routes. Planned changes as of 11SEP25 include the following.

Frankfurt – Atlanta
eff 02NOV25 787-9 replaces A340-300
26DEC25 – 23FEB26 Reduce from initially filed 7 weekly to 6 weekly

Frankfurt – Detroit Initially filed A340-300 replaced by
26OCT25 – 30NOV25 A340-600
eff 01DEC25 787-9
27JAN26 – 24FEB26 Reduce from 7 to 5 weekly (unchanged)

Frankfurt – Lagos – Malabo
eff 02JAN26 787-9 replaces A330-300/340-300, 5 weekly
03FEB26 – 02MAR26 Reduce from 5 to 4 weekly

Frankfurt – Mumbai eff 18NOV25 787-9 replaces A340-300, 1 daily
Frankfurt – Nairobi
eff 26OCT25 Reduce from initially filed 1 daily to 6 weekly, A340-300
eff 01FEB26 787-9 replaces A340-300

Frankfurt – Newark eff 20JAN26 787-9 replaces A340-300, 1 daily (747-8I scheduled until 19JAN26 for NW25)
Frankfurt – Raleigh/Durham eff 01JAN26 787-9 replaces A340-300, 3 weekly
Frankfurt – Toronto eff 26OCT25 787-9 service maintained, replacing A340-300. 1 daily
Munich – Hong Kong Service remains suspended
Munich – Osaka Kansai eff 26OCT25 Reduce from initially filed 7 weekly to 3, A350-900

Previously reported changes:
Frankfurt – Abuja – Port Harcourt eff 26OCT25 3 of 5 weekly A330-300 replaces initially filed A340-300
Frankfurt – Almaty 1 weekly A340-300 suspended in NW25
Frankfurt – Almaty – Astana – Frankfurt 2 weekly A340-300 suspended in NW25
Frankfurt – Astana – Almaty – Frankfurt 2 weekly A340-300 suspended in NW25
Frankfurt – Austin eff 26OCT25 Initially planned 3 weekly 787-9 service maintained with operational day changes from Day 146 to Day 247
Frankfurt – Boston Initially filed A340-300 aircraft replaced by following, 1 daily
26OCT25 – 11JAN26 A340-600
eff 12JAN26 A330-300 (Reduce to 6 weekly until 28FEB26)
eff 01MAR26 A350-900

Frankfurt – Cape Town eff 26OCT25 Reduce from initially filed 7 weekly to 6, A340-300
Frankfurt – Chennai eff 26OCT25 5 weekly A340-300 service maintained. Operational day changes from Day x47 to Day x13 from FRA
Frankfurt – Chicago O'Hare
26OCT25 – 11JAN26 LH430/431 747-8I replaces initially filed -400
12JAN26 – 22FEB26 Reduce from 12 to 7 weekly

Frankfurt – Dallas/Ft. Worth
eff 26OCT25 Reduce from initially filed 7 weekly to 5, service operates with a mix of A330-300/340-300, instead of A340-300
12JAN26 – 23FEB26 Reduce from 5 to 3 weekly

Frankfurt – Delhi eff 26OCT25 747-400 replace initially filed A340-300, 1 daily
Frankfurt – Denver
eff 26OCT25 Reduce from initially filed 7 weekly to 6, A340-300
12JAN26 – 14FEB26 Seasonal service suspension

Frankfurt – Dubai
eff 26OCT25 A330-300 replaces initially filed A340-300, 1 daily
17FEB26 – 15MAR26 Reduce from 7 to 4 weekly

Frankfurt – Hong Kong eff 26OCT25 A350-900 replace initially filed 747-400, 1 daily
Frankfurt – Houston 13JAN26 – 01MAR26 Reduce from 7 to 5 weekly. 747-400 replaces A330-300 from 01FEB26
Frankfurt – Hyderabad eff 27OCT25 Reduce from initially filed 6 weekly to 5, 787-9
Frankfurt – Luanda eff 26OCT25 A340-300 replaces initially filed A330-300, 3 weekly (selected dates continue to be operated by A340-300)
Frankfurt – New York JFK 1 of 2 daily LH400/401 aircraft changes, initially filed 747-400 replaced by following
26OCT25 – 11JAN26 A340-600
eff 12JAN26 747-8I
11JAN26 – 24FEB26 Reduce from 14 to 7 weekly

Frankfurt – Riyadh – Dammam 26OCT25 – 11JAN26 A340-600 replace initially filed A330-300, 1 daily
Frankfurt – St. Louis 01FEB25 – 28FEB26 3 weekly service suspended
Frankfurt – Seattle
eff 26OCT25 Reduce from initially filed 7 weekly to 5 weekly, A340-300 (A330-300 on selected dates in Feb/Mar 2026)
12JAN26 – 01MAR26 Reduce from 5 to 3 weekly

Frankfurt – Seoul Incheon eff 26OCT25 A350-900 replace initially filed 747-400, 1 daily
Frankfurt – Shanghai Pu Dong eff 26OCT25 747-400 replace initially filed -8I, 1 daily
Frankfurt – Singapore eff 26OCT25 747-400 replace initially filed -8I, 1 daily
Frankfurt – Tehran Imam Khomeini eff 26OCT25 Reduce from initially filed 1 daily to 6 weekly, A340-300 (1 of 6 weekly operated by A330-300 from 16FEB26)
Frankfurt – Vancouver eff 26OCT25 Reduce from initially filed 1 daily to 6 weekly, A340-300
Frankfurt – Washington Dulles eff 26OCT25 747-8I replaces initially filed -400, 1 daily
Munich – Bangalore eff 26OCT25 Increase from initially filed 5 weekly to 1 daily, A350-900
Munich – Charlotte
eff 26OCT25 6 weekly A350-900 service maintained, operational day changes from Day x6 to Day x3
13JAN26 – 23FEB26 Reduce from 6 to 5 weekly

Munich – Delhi 4 of 7 weekly A350-900 replaces initially filed A380 during following periods: 27OCT25 – 10JAN26, 02MAR26 – 28MAR26
Munich – Denver eff 26OCT25 Increase from initially filed 5 weekly to 6 weekly, A350-900
Munich – Dubai 25FEB26 – 15MAR26 Reduce from initially filed 5 weekly to 4 weekly, A350-900
Munich – Los Angeles 12JAN26 – 22FEB26 A350-900 replace initially filed A380, 1 daily
Munich – Montreal eff 26OCT25 Increase from initially filed 4 weekly to 5 weekly, A350-900
Munich – New York JFK 21JAN26 – 09FEB26 Reduce from 7 to 6 weekly
Munich – Riyadh eff 26OCT25 3 weekly A350-900 (Last served until October 2017)
Munich – San Diego
eff 26OCT25 5 weekly A350-900 service maintained, operational day changes from Day x47 to Day x16
12JAN26 – 01MAR26 Seasonal reduction from 5 to 3 weekly, A350-900

Munich – San Francisco eff 26OCT25 A380 replace A350-900, 1 daily (except 19JAN26 – 01MAR26)
Munich – Tokyo Haneda 06JAN25 – 21JAN26 Reduce from initially filed 7 weekly to 5, A350-900 (6 weekly 22JAN26 – 03FEB26)
Munich – Washington Dulles
eff 26OCT25 Increase from initially filed 5 weekly to 6, A350-900
12JAN26 – 12MAR26 Seasonal service suspension

Photo: Duncan Stewart