Emirates wins 'Best Long Haul Airline' for world-class service and innovation
Emirates honoured by 20,000 readers for world-class service and global connectivity
Dubai: Emirates has once again been crowned the Best Long Haul Airline at the Telegraph Travel Awards 2025, maintaining its dominant position in global aviation.
The award, voted on by 20,000 readers of The Telegraph Travel, recognises the Dubai-based airline’s world-class service, innovation, and global network. The ceremony was held at London’s Pompadour Hotel Café Royal, where Helen Breen, Emirates’ Leisure Sales Manager in the UK, accepted the honour.
Multiple accolades reinforce global leadership
This latest win adds to a growing list of accolades for Emirates. Earlier this month, YouGov named Emirates ‘2025’s Most Recommended Global Brand’, the only airline to feature in the global top 10.
Emirates has now taken the Telegraph Travel title for three of the past four years—2023, 2024, and 2025. In 2024, the carrier was also ranked the World’s Best Airline, topping a comprehensive global consumer study evaluating 90 airlines across 30 key metrics.
New routes, fleet upgrades and premium experiences
The airline’s consistent recognition comes as it expands services and enhances its product offerings worldwide.
Highlights from the past year include:
New destinations: Shenzhen, Da Nang, Siem Reap, Damascus, and (from 30 July) Hangzhou
A350 rollout: New Emirates A350s now serve 10 destinations including Edinburgh, Lyon and Bologna, with 17 planned by year-end
Travel retail: Opened 9 revamped stores across Asia, Africa and Europe
Retrofit programme: 61 aircraft upgraded (31 A380s and 30 Boeing 777s) as part of its $5 billion modernisation initiative
Culinary experience: 18 new gourmet dishes introduced in Business Class, paired with exclusive Champagne
Skywards loyalty expansion: Added benefits through partnerships with Garuda Indonesia, AEGEAN, flydubai, Marriott Bonvoy, and Accor’s ALL programme
Strong presence and demand from UK market
Emirates currently operates 133 weekly flights to and from the UK, including:
6x daily A380 to London Heathrow
3x daily A380 to Gatwick
2x daily to Stansted
3x daily A380 to Manchester
2x daily to Birmingham (including one A380)
Daily service to Newcastle
Daily A380 to Glasgow
Daily A350 to Edinburgh
Flight searches from the UK have jumped 12% year-on-year, with high interest in long-haul destinations such as New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius, according to Emirates’ latest data.
Unmatched onboard experience
According to the airline, Emirates passengers can expect regionally inspired cuisine, warm hospitality, and access to up to 6,500 channels on its award-winning ice entertainment system.
Sign up for the Daily Briefing
Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
