Emirates Celebrates 25 Years Of Flying To Sydney

Emirates Marks 25 Years in Sydney

Emirates celebrates 25 years of service in Sydney. Beginning in March 2000 with four weekly flights through Singapore, the airline has expanded to three daily direct flights to and from Dubai, connecting Australians to over 140 global destinations.

So far, Emirates has transported over nine million passengers to Australia’s iconic harbour city, conducting more than 35,000 flights.

With three daily flights on the renowned four-class A380, Emirates links travellers to popular destinations within its extensive network, including London, Manchester, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Milan, Dublin, Rome, Athens, Paris, and Beirut.

Key Milestones

Emirates is dedicated to providing travellers flying to and from Sydney with unparalleled connectivity and an exceptional experience in the air and on the ground. This highlights the airline's commitment to serving and growing one of its most strategically essential markets.

In August 2003, Emirates began its inaugural service connecting Dubai and Christchurch via Sydney, enabling Australians to easily reach New Zealand on the airline’s widebody aircraft. Due to the service's success, Emirates introduced its A380 on this route in October 2016, providing travelers with the exclusive chance to fly across the Trans-Tasman on an A380.

Emirates launched its Sydney Airport Lounge in February 2006, providing First Class and Business Class passengers with an elegant space to relax and unwind before their flights. The Emirates Lounge in Sydney is among four lounges in Australia, part of Emirates' extensive network of nearly 40 lounges globally.

In 2022, Sydney was among the first cities in Emirates’ global network to welcome the new Premium Economy cabin on its refurbished A380 aircraft, which is part of the airline’s multi-billion dollar retrofit program. Its success and popularity led to the launch of an extra daily flight from Sydney, two daily flights from Melbourne, and one daily flight from Brisbane. 

Continuing its dedication to improving the customer experience, Emirates transitioned to an all-A380 fleet in 2023. This change enables the airline to provide over 20,300 weekly seats connecting Sydney and Dubai, giving passengers increased options and access to its acclaimed Premium Economy service, renovated cabins, and enhanced interiors.

Emirates has partnered with Sydney Airport to introduce its Premium Check-In, Ascent, for airline customers, granting First Class passengers entry to a private and effortless check-in area.

Emirates not only showcases its newest products and services but also reinforces its dedication to Sydney and Australia with a strong sponsorship portfolio. This includes a longstanding partnership with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra that began in 2002. Through this collaboration, Emirates links fans with outstanding artists and musicians worldwide, further cementing its commitment to global support for music and the arts.

Barry Brown, Divisional Vice President Australasia at Emirates says, “Sydney is such an iconic city, it’s no wonder that it remains one of our top destinations from Dubai, with over 15,000 passengers flying to and from Sydney with Emirates each week.

“Over the years, Emirates has responded to growing travel demand with agility, by boosting capacity into Sydney from four-weekly to three-daily direct services and offering more travellers the opportunity to experience the city’s fantastic beaches, stunning harbour and beautiful coastline. 

“As we look ahead, we will continue to elevate the customer experience in line with the ever-changing travel trends, bringing industry-leading products to Australia and continuing to offer seamless connectivity to Dubai and beyond.”

To celebrate the anniversary, Emirates passengers traveling between Sydney and Dubai on 26 March can enjoy a selection of Australian-themed meals and snacks onboard, which include the airline’s take on pavlova, Lamington Cake, and Bundt Cake. Emirates currently operates 77 weekly return flights to Australia, providing over 68,000 seats across its five major gateways. This includes three daily flights from Dubai to Melbourne and Sydney, two daily services to Brisbane and Perth, and a daily connection to Adelaide. Additionally, Emirates plays a vital role in facilitating cargo to and from Australia, serving as a key air link that boosts investment flows and maximizes the benefits of the CEPA agreement between the UAE and Australia.