Emirates aircraft fleet is quite impressive. The airline has a very streamlined operation, still for a little more, in terms of aircraft types. However, the fleet is extremely impressive when we look at the size and unit numbers of the fleet itself Having worked in for the Dubai based company, I can assure that the fleet and all the company’s divisions and operations are mind-blowing. That aside, let’s take a deep dive into the Emirates fleet, analyse its composition, and how the airline to operates it.
The Emirates Fleet in 2024
The current Emirates fleet is made up of only wide body jets. All the airline’s flights are operated with big wide body planes, even the shortest of hops from Dubai to Muscat or Doha. As I mentioned above the fleet structure is very streamlined and efficient in terms of costs and operations. At the moment EK operates three aircraft types belonging to two aircraft families:
| Manufacturer | Aircraft | Units |
|---|---|---|
 Airbus | A380-800 | 121 |
| Boeing | 777-300ER | 124 |
| Boeing | 777-200LR | 10 |
With such an enormous number of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s the Dubai based airline is the largest operator of both worldwide. However, in 2024 this status quo is going to change. Emirates will receive its first Airbus A350-900 and will start deploying them across its network.
Why Does EK Have This Fleet Structure?
The current fleet structure grants Emirates maximum operational flexibility along with a streamlined operation which reduces maintenance and training costs. It might sound strange to think this way about one of the most luxurious carriers but maximising operational margins is key even for Emirates.
All flight attendants are certified to be able to fly and work on both the Boeing 777 and the Airbus A380. Therefore there are no limitations on shifting crew around from one flight to another in case of need.
Also, it is quite easy to spot that EK owns and operates a fleet of all long-range capable planes. This translates to an unmatched operational flexibility as the airline can easily replace a plane with another at a moment’s notice.
The 2010s Fleet Consolidation Process
The fleet is currently made up of only two aircraft types, however, to achieve this EK undertook a fleet consolidation lasting several years. Less than 10 years ago the airline used to still operate flights using A330-200s, A340-300s and A340-500s. This was clearly limiting the airline’s operational flexibility.
While Emirates operated this larger assortment of aircraft types, the cabin crew force was split in two groups. There were those certified to operate on the A380s and 777s and on the other side those certified for the 777, A330 and A340.
The Aircraft Cabin Configurations
Despite using a compact list of aircraft types Emirates has quite an assortment of cabin configurations on these planes. The A380s have as many as 8 different cabin configurations, optimised for both medium and long-haul flights:
| Configuration | Model | First Class | Business Class | Premium Economy | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra Long Range | A380-800 | 14 | 76 | 56 | 338 |
| Ultra Long Range | A380-800 | 14 | 76 | – | 399 |
| Ultra Long Range | A380-800 | 14 | 76 | – | 401 |
| Medium Range | A380-800 | 14 | 76 | – | 427 |
| Medium Range | A380-800 | 14 | 76 | – | 429 |
| Medium Range | A380-800 | 14 | 76 | – | 426 |
| Medium Range | A380-800 | – | 58 | – | 557 |
The triple-sevens on the other hand have as many as six different cabin configurations, including the super-rare first class “Game Changer” planes:
| Configuration | Model | First Class | Business Class | Premium Economy | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Changer Business Class | 777-200LR | – | 38 | – | 262 |
| 2 Class | 777-300ER | – | 42 | – | 386 |
| 3 Class | 777-300ER | 8 | 42 | – | 304 |
| 3 Class | 777-300ER | 8 | 42 | – | 310 |
| Game Changer Business Class | 777-300ER | 8 | 42 | – | 310 |
| Game Changer First/Business Class | 777-300ER | 6 | 42 | – | 306 |
The Future Emirates Fleet Plans
Gradually, over many years to come, Emirates will retire its A380s and Boeing 777-300ER and 777-200LR for age reasons. These will be progressively replaced with new generation jets. Currently the airline has orders for:
- 65 Airbus A350-900
- 5 787 (TBD)
- 115 Boeing 777X (TBD)
- 20 Boeing 787-9
- 10 Boeing 787-10
- 35 Boeing 777-8
- 55 Boeing 777-9
The latest Airbus and Boeing order Emirates placed at the Dubai Air Show in November 2023. In that occasion it expanded its order for Boeing 777X, 787 and Airbus A350-900.
The Emirates SkyCargo Fleet
Alongside its passenger operations the airline also operates a cargo specific fleet under its SkyCargo division. This divisions operates 11 Boeing 777 freighters:
- 11 777F
In the past the carrier’s cargo division also owned and operated Boeing 747F, but those have long left the Emirates fleet.