Dubai-based Emirates has bagged itself a string of top trophies at the prestigious Business Traveller Middle East (BTME) Awards 2025 held on April 28, 2025. The airline walked away with four of the most important awards of the night, including the trophies for Best First Class, Best Premium Economy Class, and Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East, as well as the night’s leading award for airlines, the accolade of the Best Airline Worldwide for the 12th consecutive year.
According to an airline statement, the multifaceted win represents the airline’s “continuous investment to evolve what is already an exceptional experience onboard and on the ground across all classes.”
Since 2022, Emirates has been rolling out an extensive cabin retrofit programme, which will see 219 aircraft in its fleet receive a complete nose-to-tail refresh. The program has recently picked up momentum, with 51 aircraft having been fully upgraded so far. Additionally, the airline also recently took delivery of its first A350, equipped with its next-generation products and latest technologies onboard.
Existing upgraded aircraft and new A350s continue to be deployed to new cities, offering the airline’s passengers more opportunities to try the airline’s latest and newest aircraft type. By the end of 2025, the airline will serve over 70 cities worldwide with refurbished Boeing 777s, Airbus A380s, and new A350s.
The airline’s first class experience (offered on certain aircraft and routes) continues to be the gold standard for luxury commercial travel, says the airline, with customers “enjoying the ultimate in comfort with fully enclosed private suites, unlimited caviar and Dom Pérignon champagne, hydra-active pyjamas, Byredo skincare and sustainable Voya shower products, as well as Bulgari amenity kits on long haul flights.”
On the ground, the airline’s three award-winning first class lounges at Dubai International Airport offer dedicated premium duty-free shopping areas, à la carte dining with a multitude of menu options, and spa areas with complimentary treatment and services.
Emirates’ premium economy class was also a winner on the night. Having been introduced in 2022, the cabin offering has been widely hailed, already winning multiple awards worldwide since its introduction. Along with 219 Boeing 777s and A380s, 65 Emirates A350s will feature the premium economy product. Premium economy passengers on Emirates enjoy leather reclining seats in an exclusive cabin, complimentary amenity kits on select flights, and premium culinary experiences.
Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, and Dr Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President, Skywards, received the awards on Emirates’ behalf. “The awards honour excellence across the business travel ecosystem, underpinned by a transparent public voting process to recognise top-level work and innovations helping to shape the future of the travel industry,” added Emirates in its statement.
