Emirates operates one of the most unusual fleets in commercial aviation. As of 2026 the airline flies approximately 260 widebody aircraft and essentially nothing else. It does not operate narrowbody aircraft. It does not have short-haul operations. The entire airline is built around long-haul widebody flying from Dubai to the rest of the world.
No other major airline has committed so completely to widebody operations. The fleet is the direct expression of Emirates' commercial strategy: connect any two major cities in the world via Dubai using very large aircraft capable of long-haul flights with minimal stops.
This is a guide to every aircraft type Emirates operates.
The widebody fleet
Airbus A380-800. Emirates is by far the largest operator of the Airbus A380 in the world. The airline had approximately 119 aircraft before the pandemic, and as of 2026 operates around 115 after selective retirements. Emirates' A380 configurations seat 484 to 615 passengers depending on the specific aircraft, and some feature premium products like in-flight showers in First Class and an onboard bar and lounge.
The A380 is the aircraft that made Emirates' hub-and-spoke model work. Dubai is geographically positioned such that most major cities in Asia, Europe, and Africa are within eight hours of flight time, and North America, South America, and Oceania are within 16 hours. The A380, with its capacity for over 500 passengers per flight and long range, allows Emirates to aggregate demand from dozens of origin cities and move passengers through Dubai on a scale no other airline matches.
Boeing 777-300ER. Emirates operates around 130 777-300ER aircraft and is one of the largest operators of the type in the world. The aircraft seats 350 to 427 passengers depending on configuration and is used on routes where the A380 would be too large but a smaller widebody would be too small. The 777-300ER is Emirates' primary long-haul workhorse after the A380.
Boeing 777-200LR. Emirates operates a small fleet of 777-200LRs on the longest routes in the network, including flights to places like Panama City and Auckland. The 200LR is the long-range variant with extra fuel capacity.
Future fleet: Boeing 777X and A350
Emirates has massive orders for two new widebody types that will dominate the fleet going forward.
Boeing 777X (777-9). Emirates is the launch customer for the 777-9 and has around 115 aircraft on order. The 777-9 will replace 777-300ERs and some A380s as deliveries arrive. The first deliveries are expected in the late 2020s, though the program has been delayed multiple times.
Airbus A350-900. Emirates ordered A350-900s in 2019 for use on medium-density long-haul routes where the 777 family would be oversized. These deliveries are beginning to arrive in 2024 and 2025, adding a new aircraft type to the Emirates fleet for the first time in years.
The all-widebody strategy
Emirates' fleet choice is unique among major global carriers. Most long-haul airlines operate a mix of narrowbody, regional, and widebody aircraft. Emirates operates only widebodies. The reason is straightforward: Emirates does not fly short-haul. Every flight operated by Emirates mainline is long enough to justify a widebody. Regional flying from Dubai to nearby destinations in the Middle East is handled by flydubai, a separate sister airline operating Boeing 737s.
This split between Emirates (widebody) and flydubai (narrowbody) is unusual. Most airlines integrate their short-haul and long-haul operations under one brand and one fleet. The Emirates group keeps them operationally separate, which allows each airline to optimize its fleet for its specific mission.
The all-widebody strategy has significant implications for Dubai's airport infrastructure. Dubai International Airport was designed around handling extremely large aircraft movements at extremely high frequency. Terminal 3, dedicated entirely to Emirates, is one of the largest terminal buildings in the world and was built specifically to accommodate the A380. Gates, boarding bridges, and ground-handling equipment are all sized for double-deck aircraft.
The passenger experience
Emirates' premium cabins are among the most distinctive in commercial aviation. The A380 features private First Class suites with closing doors, showers for First Class passengers, and a full onboard lounge and bar. Business class on the A380 has direct aisle access from every seat. The 777-300ER has a similar premium product, though without the showers or bar.
Economy on Emirates is tight compared to premium but consistent across the fleet. The same catering, IFE system, and service standards apply to every long-haul route. The consistency is possible because the entire fleet is long-haul widebody.
Retired types
Airbus A340-500. Operated briefly for ultra-long-haul routes; retired in 2016.
Airbus A330-200. Retired in the 2010s as the 777 fleet expanded.
Boeing 777-200ER. Retired in 2020 during the pandemic.
What to expect when booking
Every Emirates flight is a widebody. If the route is high-capacity or high-frequency, it is almost certainly operated by the A380 or 777-300ER. Smaller markets will use the 777-300ER or, increasingly, the A350. The 777-200LR handles the longest routes.
The flight experience varies primarily by cabin class, not aircraft type. First Class on an A380 is distinct from First Class on a 777, and Business Class on the A380 has more lounge and bar access than on smaller types. But the fundamental service standards, catering, and IFE are consistent across every flight.
Tickets to major destinations usually offer a choice between A380 and 777-300ER on the same route at different times. Frequent flyers develop preferences based on the specific cabin layout and configuration, with many passengers preferring the A380 for its quieter ride and spacious premium cabins.
Fleet direction
Emirates' fleet in the late 2020s will shift significantly as the 777X and A350 begin to arrive in volume. The A380 will remain the flagship aircraft for flagship routes, but its share of the fleet will decrease. The 777-300ER will be replaced by the 777-9 over time. The A350 will add a new category of aircraft for mid-density long-haul routes.
The all-widebody strategy will remain unchanged. Emirates does not need or plan to operate narrowbody aircraft, and the hub-and-spoke model at Dubai continues to work even as the regional aviation environment evolves. The fleet is the product of a very specific commercial bet: that ultra-long-haul widebody flying from a single Middle Eastern hub will remain the most efficient way to connect the world for a long time to come.
