The Emirates A350 entered the spotlight at the 2025 Dubai Airshow, marking its first public flypast since joining the fleet in November 2024. The aircraft led a coordinated aerial display alongside the airline’s Boeing 777 and A380, the first time Emirates has flown all three widebody types together in formation.

The flypast formed part of a 60-aircraft procession designed to highlight the UAE’s aviation capabilities. Emirates opened the commercial segment of the display, followed by other national carriers and a contingent of military aircraft and helicopters.

During the demonstration, the A380 flew at 500 feet, the Boeing 777 at 700 feet, and the A350 at 900 feet, passing over the runway at Al Maktoum International Airport before thousands of spectators. The event remained one of the show’s most anticipated features.

The Emirates contribution was led entirely by Emirati flight crews. Captain Mubarak Al Mheiri piloted the A380 at the front of the formation, with Captain Ali Almarzooqi commanding the Boeing 777 and Captain Rashed Murshed piloting the A350. Captain Khalid Akram, Deputy Chief Pilot Boeing, served on the Flight Control Committee overseeing commercial operations for the flypast.

Preparing the display required months of coordination across the UAE aviation sector, involving Emirates operational teams, other national airlines, the Ministry of Defence, the UAE Military, air-traffic controllers, the Dubai Airshow Flying Control Committee, and both the DCAA and GCAA. Planners accounted for air-traffic flows, flight paths, and weather conditions to ensure a controlled and precise performance.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev Macambira

Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.