The world’s largest Airbus A380 fleet is getting a new look, as Emirates recently revealed a new livery. The Dubai, United Arab Emirates-based carrier — which is also the world’s largest Boeing 777 operator — announced that its aircraft will sport a new signature, distinctive livery.

A Refreshed Look

While the livery’s overall colors and branding largely remain the same, Emirates has modernized several aspects of its livery. Perhaps the most notable change can be seen in the flag of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the tail, which now has a 3D artwork effect to give the appearance that it is flowing.

Winglets on the Airbus A380-800s will now be painted red on the outside with the Emirates logo on it in white. From a passenger’s perspective, the insides of the winglets will feature the colors of the UAE flag.

The “Emirates” lettering across the fuselage is now more prominent, with the airline noting that it is bolder and 32.5% larger. The airline’s website URL has also been dropped from the design. On the underside of the fuselage, Emirates has retained the red branding that allows its aircraft to be easily identified from the ground.

First Livery Change in Over Two Decades

This is the third livery that Emirates aircraft have worn since the airline’s founding in 1985. The overall theme of the livery has remained constant throughout the years, but the look has evolved with each iteration of the livery. The carrier’s original livery debuted with its launch in 1985 and was designed by British design company Negus & Negus. The livery had its first refresh in 1999 with the delivery of Emirates’ first Boeing 777-300 at that year’s Dubai Airshow.

The evolution of Emirates’ livery (Photo: Emirates)

Emirates rolled out its latest livery update on an Airbus A380-800 registered as A6-EOE. The aircraft’s first flight in the new livery took place on March 17, 2023 when it operated flight EK51 from Dubai International Airport to Munich Airport. The airline plans to apply the new livery to 24 aircraft this year, which will be followed by a gradual rollout to the rest of its fleet of approximately 250 aircraft in the coming years.

“Aircraft livery is the most instantly recognisable brand real estate for any airline. It’s a visual representation of our unique identity, something we wear proudly, and display in all the cities we fly to around the world,” Emirates President Sir Tim Clark said in a press release. “We’re refreshing our livery to keep it modern, without losing the key elements of our identity such as the UAE flag on our tailfin and the Arabic calligraphy.”

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Andrew Chen

Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.

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