It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Dubai-based Emirates wasn’t always an airline with only
two types of aircraft. While it’s never been ultra-diverse, you might be surprised
to discover some of the types it once operated.
In 1985, Emirates operated its flights from Dubai to Karachi (Pakistan) and Mumbai (India),
using a Boeing 737 as well as an Airbus 300. These jets were actually wet-leased from Pakistan
International Airlines (PIA). Additionally, Emirates had two Boeing 727-200s, which came
from the Dubai Royal Family.
In July of 1987, Emirates took delivery of its first owned aircraft- an Airbus A310.
The airline would eventually take on a total of 14 A310s and seven A300s.
According to Airfleets.net, the lone 737 went back to PIA in 1987 while the 727s would leave
the airline in the mid-1990s. These would be the only narrowbody aircraft that Emirates
would operate as part of its mainline fleet. In 1992 Emirates placed an order for seven
Boeing 777s with seven options. The earliest 777s would join the fleet around 1997, and
deliveries would continue through the following decade. They would be a mix of -200s, -300s,
and -300ERs.
Just a few years later, in 1999, the airline would take delivery of its first A330-200.
It would take 29 of these over the years, with all of them leaving the fleet around
2015. Emirates would go on to order many more 777s
as the type would go on to become a core part of the fleet. In 2005 the airline made history
with an order for 42 Boeing 777s- the largest-ever 777 order at the time. Today, Emirates is
the world’s biggest operator of 777 aircraft, flying 142 of the type – which mainly consists
of -300ERs but also includes some -200LRs. Emirates received its first A340-500 in 2003.
This was to be the first of 10 to fly for the airline. It also leased eight A340-300s.
Its last A340 was finally retired in 2016, taking its last flight from Kabul to Dubai.
Of course, Emirates’ most substantial quadjet investment would be in the Airbus A380. In
2000, the airline became the first to sign up for the superjumbo, ordering seven with
options for five more at the Farnborough Air Show.
The earliest of the A380s were delivered in 2008, and Emirates has been steadily taking
delivery of the jet ever since. It now has a total of 115 with eight more on the way.
However, rumors have been circulating that some of these may be canceled.
Emirates is widely considered responsible for keeping the less-than-popular program
alive. In fact, its decision to cancel orders in 2019 led to Airbus shutting down A380 production.
This will take place once the final aircraft are delivered in the next year.
We should note that Emirates’ cargo wing, SkyCargo does operate the 747. However, the
Queen of the Skies has never been part of its mainline passenger fleet.
Perhaps realizing the lack of flexibility of its two-type fleet strategy, Emirates is
looking to have a more varied fleet in the future. In the next decade, it seems like
the carrier will be operating as many as five different types at the same time:
Boeing 787 Boeing 777 (both old and new variants)
Airbus a330neo Airbus A350
Airbus A380 In 2013, Emirates announced a landmark order
for 150 Boeing 777X aircraft, with additional 50 purchase rights. However, six years later,
it would reduce its order for the delayed jet by 24 planes to 126, swapping them for
30 787 Dreamliners. Emirates’ decision to cut A380 orders in
2019 wasn’t a cancelation as much as it was a swap. In fact, the aircraft swap was
comprised of 40 A330-900s and 30 A350-900 aircraft. The airline has signed a firm order
for 50 A350s but the A330-900s have yet to be confirmed.
On the Boeing side, Emirates was supposed to start taking delivery of its massive 777X
order in 2020. However, program delays mean that the carrier won’t get its first 777X
until 2022. Finally, if we want to be thorough, we have
to mention the single Airbus A319. Launched in 2013, Emirates makes the aircraft available
for VIPs, organizations, and other uses for high wealth individuals who want the full
Emirates experience without actually flying commercial.
Were you surprised by any of the fleet history presented in this video? Let us know in the
comments.