United Arab Emirates · Commercial / Private · Formed 25 March 1985
Dubai's superconnector and by far the world's largest operator of the Airbus A380.
Emirates was founded in March 1985 with US$10 million in start-up capital from the Dubai government and began flying that October with two leased aircraft. Exploiting Dubai's position within an eight-hour flight of most of the world's population, it grew at extraordinary speed into one of the largest international airlines anywhere, funnelling passengers between six continents through its single mega-hub at Dubai International.
The airline built that network on an all-widebody fleet of just two families - the Boeing 777, of which it is the world's largest operator, and the Airbus A380. Emirates ordered 123 of the double-deck giant, more than every other A380 customer combined, and its commitment effectively sustained the programme for years; it remains the type's biggest champion, with A380 services planned well into the 2030s.
Garhoud, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
