As the official global airline partner of the NBA, Emirates has unveiled a striking, nose-to-tail aircraft livery to celebrate the upcoming 2024-25 NBA season commencing 12 November. The design will debut on flights across the airline’s global network from next week, with passengers enjoying NBA-inspired onboard experiences on select US and Canada flights between 1 November and 17 December.
At the same time, Emirates has also been crowned “World’s Best Airline” in a comprehensive study conducted by Telegraph Travel, surpassing 89 other global carriers. The ranking was determined by evaluating over 30 criteria, including punctuality, baggage allowance, route network, quality of home airport, age of fleet, value of rewards programme and tastiness of in-flight meals. To calculate the rankings, data was sourced from more than 18 leading independent awards, readers’ surveys, review websites, and expert evaluations.
The study praised Emirates for its exceptional performance across various categories, noting that it “ticks nearly every box.” Emirates operates the largest fleet of Airbus A380s, offering ample space and legroom in all cabins. Its premium economy, business, and first-class services were also commended for their excellence.
Emirates’ extensive route network, covering 140 cities in 77 countries, and its impressive rewards program were additional factors contributing to its top ranking. The airline’s commitment to providing a superior travel experience has earned it numerous accolades over the years, including being voted the best long-haul carrier by 30,000 Telegraph Travel readers.
In 2024 alone, Emirates received 19 prestigious awards and recognitions from various global sources. Notable wins include seven accolades at the Skytrax World Airline Awards in June for World’s Best Airline Inflight Entertainment, Best First Class Airline Comfort Amenities, Best First Class Airline in the Middle East, Best First Class Onboard Catering in the Middle East, Most Family Friendly Airline in the Middle East, Best Premium Economy Class Airline in the Middle East and Best Premium Economy Class Onboard Catering in the Middle East.
A the Pax International Magazine Awards in May, Emirates won top spot for ‘Best Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Middle East’ for its combination of leading Wi-Fi connectivity in the sky, and an extensive 6,500 channels of content on ice.
At the Business Traveller Middle East Awards in May 2024, Emirates was recognised as the ‘Best Airline Worldwide’ and scooped up four additional gongs for ‘Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class’, ‘Airline with the Best First Class’, ‘Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East’ and ‘Airline with the Best Frequent Flyer Programme’.
At the World Travel Awards in May, Emirates took home accolades for the ‘Middle East’s Leading Airline 2024’, ‘Middle East’s Leading Airline – First Class 2024’ and ‘Middle East’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme 2024 – Skywards’.
Emirates Skywards also won ‘Global Loyalty Programme of the Year Middle East’ at the International Loyalty Awards in May 2024.
Earlier in the year the March 2024 AirlineRatings.com Airline Excellence Awards gave Emirates the top spot for its ‘Best-Inflight Entertainment’ and ‘Best Premium Economy’ – an acclaimed customer experience now serving 15 destinations across the world.
Entertainment and connectivity
Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, “ice”, has earned the title of “World’s Best Airline Inflight Entertainment”. This renowned system offers an unparalleled entertainment experience with over 6,500 channels in more than 40 languages, featuring a vast library of content including over 4,000 hours of movies and TV shows, 3,500 hours of music and podcasts, and 2,000 Hollywood and internationally acclaimed movies. Additionally, ice caters to families with its 250 dedicated kids’ channels, and even offers hundreds of TV series and full box sets from the likes of Paramount+, HBO Max, and BBC. To stay connected, Emirates also provides free Wi-Fi to all Emirates Skywards members, solidifying its position as a leader in inflight entertainment and connectivity.
The pointy end
Emirates’ First and Business Classes offer a luxurious door-to-door experience, featuring chauffeur-driven airport transfers and access to 34 premium lounges worldwide, including seven in Dubai. Onboard, First Class passengers enjoy fully enclosed private suites, gourmet cuisine, unlimited caviar and Dom Pérignon champagne, and exclusive amenities like Byredo skincare and Voya shower products. Business Class passengers also indulge in award-winning cuisine, fine wines, lie-flat seats, Bulgari amenity kits, and access to the A380 Onboard Lounge.
Premium Economy
Emirates’ Premium Economy Class offers a luxurious travel experience, featuring spacious leather seats with up to 40 inches of pitch, adjustable headrests, calf and footrests, and thoughtful amenities like in-seat charging and cocktail tables. Passengers can unwind with sustainable blankets, generous pillows, and complimentary amenity kits, paired with exclusive Chandon Vintage Brut 2017 sparkling wine. Gourmet meals, served on fine china with stainless steel cutlery, hero seasonal ingredients and regional flavours. This award-winning class is currently available on 15 select routes worldwide, including major destinations in the Americas, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
Family travel
Emirates is a multi-award-winning family-friendly airline that provides a range of amenities and services tailored to families with children, including priority boarding, spacious seating, and large Economy Class entertainment screens. The airline also offers specialised services for unaccompanied minors and accessible features for families with neurodivergent children.
