Dubai's Emirates ranked as world's...

UAE carrier sees value surge 27%

Emirates has retained its ranking as the world’s fourth most valuable airline brand, making it the highest performing outside of the US.

The Dubai-based carrier outperformed 121 other airlines worldwide in brand value, according to Brand Finance Airlines 50 2025 report. Qatar Airways placed eighth worldwide, while Saudi Arabia's Saudia was 32nd and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways 39th.

Now in its 15th year, the annual ranking evaluates the value of an airline's name, logo and brand identity with a high valuation suggesting strong presence and recognisability in the market.

Emirates’ brand value surged by 27% to US$8.4 billion, driven by its award-winning in-flight service, strong financial performance, extensive route expansion and high-profile sponsorship campaigns, including a partnership with Real Madrid that goes back to 2011, and with Arsenal and AC Milan.

Emirates' retrofit in business class

The group achieved its best-ever half-year financial performance, posting a profit before tax of AED10.4 billion (US$2.8 billion) for the first six months of 2024-2025, and has started to roll out a US$5 billion retrofit on 220 Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft.

Strengthening its brand further, the carrier is on track to become the world’s first Autism Certified Airline, with more than 30,000 ground staff and cabin crew currently undergoing training, and continues to secure global awards, including once again been named ‘Best Airline in the World' at the 2024 Ultimate Luxury Travel Related Awards (ULTRA).

“Emirates’ ongoing recognition as the best airline in the Middle East further bolsters its brand equity on the global stage,” the report states.

As the Middle East’s second most valuable airline, placing eighth worldwide, Qatar Airways saw its brand value rise 23% to US$3.8 billion, a surge largely thanks to the luxury airline’s modern fleet, award-winning service and network growth.

“Continued momentum from the 2022 FIFA World Cup has positioned Qatar as a more tourist-friendly destination, increasing inbound travel and supporting the airline’s global appeal,” the report states.

As well as winning the ‘World’s Best Airline’ for an unprecedented eighth time at the 2024 World Airline Awards from Skytrax, Qatar Airways reported its strongest financial performance in its 27-year history with a total combined revenue of US$22.2 billion and annual profits 39% higher than the previous financial year.

Connecting with more than 170 destinations worldwide, Qatar Airways recently introduced more than 50 additional weekly flights to 11 brand-new destinations. This follows a record-breaking 2024 for travel and tourism in Qatar, with Doha's Hamad International Airport serving 52.7 million passengers, up 15% from the previous year, and the country welcoming more than 5 million visitors, up 25%.

According to Brand Finance research, the combined total brand value of the world’s top 50 airline brands reached US$132.6 billion in 2024, reflecting strong post-pandemic recovery.

Delta remains the world’s most valuable airline brand for the 7th consecutive year, with brand value up 38%, while Heathrow and Changi airports are the world’s most valuable and strongest airport brands, respectively, and Malaysia Airlines is the fastest-growing, with brand value up 209%.

For more information, visit brandirectory.com/reports/airlines

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