Karachi, Pakistan – 24 October 2025: Forty years ago, Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, launched its first flight, EK600, on the route to Karachi. To commemorate the milestone Emirates today showcased its retrofitted B777, featuring Premium Economy cabins, at Jinnah International Airport. The special preview, held on the eve of the airline’s 40th anniversary, provided VIPs and stakeholders from the aviation and travel industry, and members of the media a walkthrough tour of Emirates’ reconfigured and refreshed four-class aircraft, sporting its latest features.
The special flight featuring Premium Economy cabins, and operating as EK600, arrived in Karachi at 10:45am for guests to preview Premium Economy cabins which is available on a growing number of routes in its global network. In attendance at the event were Sharjeel Wasan, DG Customs Local Head; H.E. Bakheet Ateeq Al-Rumaithi, Consul General of UAE; Ehsan Ullah, Director AvSec Ops & Plans, Airport Security Force; and other local dignitaries from the airport authorities, hosted by Mohammed Alhashmi – Emirates’ Vice President for Pakistan.
On the occasion, Mohammed Alhashmi said: “Karachi holds a special place in Emirates’ history as the first international destinations where Emirates made its maiden trip from its hub in Dubai. Over the past 40 years, we have proudly connected Pakistan to the world, supporting travellers, businesses and communities. In our commitment to the country, we have also contributed to the growth of the country’s aviation sector and economy and played an active role in job creation.”
“Since our launch in 1985, Emirates has evolved into a global aviation powerhouse, with an extensive global reach, a modern fleet, and a commitment to world-class service. Looking ahead, we continue to enhance the customer experience in line with the ever-changing travel trends, and we hope to introduce our award-winning Premium Economy cabins to Karachi in future. Emirates Premium Economy has revolutionized travel for a growing segment of travellers looking to enhance their flying experience. We look forward to continuing its gradual roll out to key destinations in our network for customers to enjoy an elevated travel experience and a superior value for money proposition.”
40 years of a winning partnership with Pakistan
Over the past forty years of operations to Karachi, Emirates has carried over 19 million passengers between Dubai and Karachi on more than 87,000 flights. Additionally, over 36 million passengers have travelled on a total of 146,000 flights between Dubai and the five points served in the country.
In addition to supporting passenger travel and tourism, the airline also transports over 73,000 tonnes of cargo annually to and from Pakistan, facilitating trade through the export and import of commodities. Notably, on its inaugural flight, revenue was generated solely from cargo transport, as all passengers were flown free of charge.
With three daily flights connecting Karachi to global destinations, Emirates has become an integral part of the city’s aviation landscape. Some of the most popular destinations relevant to Karachi include Jeddah, Medina, Toronto, London, New York, Istanbul, Houston, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Manchester and Shanghai, in addition to Emirates’ hub city of Dubai. Top feeder markets for Karachi include travellers from the same points, in addition to Bangkok, Dammam, and Sydney.
Emirates caters to a broad range of traveller segments, from leisure and corporate travellers to students pursuing higher education abroad. Emirates’ award-winning Premium Economy offering provides a refined upgrade from Economy Class, for passengers to experience elevated levels of comfort on long-haul journeys.
Emirates’ latest cabin class, Premium Economy
The retrofitted B777 with Premium Economy offers Emirates’ latest cabins that redefine comfort for travellers, offering spacious leather reclining seats with full leg and footrests and adjustable headrests. It features in-seat charging points, a wood-finished side cocktail table, a 13.3-inch TV screen, a generously sized pillow and blanket as well as complimentary amenity kits on select flights, among other luxurious touches. Passengers seeking a premium dining experience can explore a diverse selection of regional menus, featuring an array of local flavours and an extensive beverage selection for Premium Economy customers.
1997 – Paco Rabanne bestows a designer eye
In 1997, Emirates collaborated with legendary Spanish designer Paco Rabanne, to redesign the uniforms and give them a modern, stylish update. The female uniform retained the classic beige and red colour scheme but featured updated cuts and fits in the clean aesthetic of the 1990’s, with the addition of brown bags and brown shoes. For female cabin crew, Rabanne designed a shapely skirt and blouse with a round neck and jacquard logo print, under a slimline jacket with a mandarin collar, while male crew members wore navy blue jackets paired with beige trousers and brown shoes. With a decade of successful growth behind it – Emirates had served 3 million customers, with 1500 cabin crew who showcased the clean lines of the uniform to more than 44 destinations.
2008 – Tailored for take-off, the Emirates’ signature style begins
The next iteration of the Emirates uniform was introduced in July 2008, to mark the arrival of the airline’s first Airbus A380. Designed by Emirates’ in-house team in collaboration with Simon Jersey, the updated look preserved the iconic beige and red colour palette for its now sizeable 11,000 cabin crew.
The female uniform saw the introduction of a subtle pinstripe, four kick pleats in the skirt revealing more signature Emirates’ red, and red trims throughout the suiting. The hat was redesigned, with the Emirates logo positioned on the side in a wing shape. Accessories like shoes, belts and bags were a slightly darker maroon red to complement the uniform’s trims and the iconic hat.
The male uniform was reintroduced in a rich, chocolate brown pinstripe with subtle red trim, complemented by a cream shirt and a striped tie in shades of gold, brown, and red – a luxurious reflection of Emirates’ success, as it now served 99 destinations throughout the globe.
2023 and beyond – Accents of red leather and shoes you can choose
As part of the continued evolution of the uniform, in 2023 Emirates began to offer female cabin crew a range of 15 shoe styles to personally choose from, catering to individual comfort and taste. The expansive range of Spanish-manufactured, 100% leather male and female shoes, offers a variety of heights, widths, shapes and styles, ensuring comfort, style and fit for every foot.
The latest edition of the female shoes were introduced with matching red leather handbags, and belts, in a brighter red colour than before, perfectly complementing the pleat of the skirt and the trim of the uniform – and leaning into the iconic red shade that has now become synonymous with Emirates.
Poised for even more growth, Emirates has found a fashion formula that works. The iconic uniform now empowers 25,000 cabin crew flying to more than 140 destinations to be ‘runway ready’ in every sense.
2023 and beyond – Accents of red leather and shoes you can choose
As part of the continued evolution of the uniform, in 2023 Emirates began to offer female cabin crew a range of 15 shoe styles to personally choose from, catering to individual comfort and taste. The expansive range of Spanish-manufactured, 100% leather male and female shoes, offers a variety of heights, widths, shapes and styles, ensuring comfort, style and fit for every foot.
The latest edition of the female shoes were introduced with matching red leather handbags, and belts, in a brighter red colour than before, perfectly complementing the pleat of the skirt and the trim of the uniform – and leaning into the iconic red shade that has now become synonymous with Emirates.
Poised for even more growth, Emirates has found a fashion formula that works. The iconic uniform now empowers 25,000 cabin crew flying to more than 140 destinations to be ‘runway ready’ in every sense.
