There’s nothing quite like a Parisian comeback—and Emirates certainly knows how to make an entrance. After a 15-year absence, the world’s largest international airline has sauntered back into the limelight at the Paris Airshow, this time armed with its latest belle of the skies: the sleek, state-of-the-art Airbus A350.

Now strutting her curves at Le Bourget until 19 June, Emirates’ A350 is not merely another aircraft—it’s a headline act in the aviation equivalent of the Cannes red carpet. And rightly so.

Draped in next-generation cabin finery, fresh-faced interiors and more tech than a Bond car, the A350 proudly showcases Emirates’ ambition to elevate the passenger experience to something bordering on the sublime.

“We’re delighted to be back in Paris, especially with an aircraft that speaks volumes about where premium air travel is heading,” said Emirates’ long-serving president, Sir Tim Clark, who looked every bit the aviation elder statesman as he inspected the glistening fuselage. “This is more than a display. It’s a statement of our enduring commitment to French aerospace.”

Vive la différence: Emirates’ deep ties with French innovation

Now, before one assumes this is all pomp and polished armrests, let’s talk serious business—French business.

Emirates has spent more on French aviation than most countries have on their Olympic campaigns. Since launching in 1985, the airline has sunk over €114 billion in Airbus purchases, acquiring a small armada that includes A300s, A330s, A380s and now, the mighty A350.

That’s no mere whim—it’s long-term love. From Bordeaux’s finest reds filling the First Class cellars to Michelin rubber gripping Emirates’ undercarriages, the relationship is, as the French would say, très intime.

France remains the number-one source market for Emirates’ wine list, with a cheeky 58% of red wines in First and Business Class hailing from Bordeaux. If flying Emirates doesn’t lift your spirits, the Merlot certainly will.

But back to the nuts and bolts. Emirates’ partnership with French aerospace manufacturers is extensive, with Safran, Thales, and Michelin all supplying essential aircraft components, seating, and avionics. In 2023 alone, Emirates inked more than €1 billion in contracts with Safran, including a nearly €900 million deal for new-gen seats across its Airbus A350, Boeing 777X-9 and existing 777-300ER aircraft.

Add another €322 million invested in Thales’ AVANT Up entertainment system and voilà!—The French economy has a new best friend in the Gulf.

Paris Airshow visitors get the Emirates experience up close

For aviation enthusiasts, the Emirates A350 is a tactile wonderland. Those attending the Paris Airshow can clamber aboard and sink into the airline’s 32 lie-flat Business Class suites arranged in a 1-2-1 layout that would give any five-star hotel a run for its money.

The 21-seat Premium Economy cabin offers a tantalising compromise for those wanting a little luxury without the black-tie price tag. And down the back, the 259-seat Economy Class is anything but basic—generous legroom, airy ceilings, and wider aisles create a space where even tall Australians can stretch out without folding like a deck chair.

All three cabins feature Emirates’ latest in-flight entertainment with cinematic flair, upgraded cabin lighting (mood lighting for moody flyers), improved Wi-Fi, and ergonomics that are blessedly easy on the back.

It’s a travel experience designed for comfort, indulgence, and, let’s be honest, a solid Instagram story.

A350’s growing role in Emirates’ global network

Emirates isn’t just showing off—it’s planning ahead. By year’s end, this new A350 is expected to grace 17 destinations, bringing its Parisian polish to runways around the world.

France, as expected, gets the royal treatment. Emirates currently operates 21 weekly flights to Paris, including three daily A380 services, plus daily flights to Nice and Lyon—the latter now served by none other than the A350.

Notably, Emirates remains the only international airline flying the A380 into Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, a move which no doubt causes mild envy in rival airline boardrooms.

Beyond passenger services, Emirates SkyCargo provides regular freight rotations between Dubai and key French cities, linking the UAE and France with everything from fashion to foie gras.

In total, Emirates pours more than €189 million annually into the French economy through operational expenses—fuel, catering, staff salaries, airport services, and even the occasional poster campaign or sports sponsorship.

Final thoughts: an airborne ambassador of elegance

With its Paris Airshow reappearance, Emirates has pulled off a neat trick: reminding the world of its aviation prestige while signalling its vision for the future.

The A350 may be a machine, but it carries the hopes of Emirates’ next chapter—sleek, sophisticated, and sprinkled with enough French savoir-faire to keep the critics charmed.

As Sir Tim Clark concluded with a knowing smile, “This aircraft is our message to the industry—flying better isn’t just a slogan. It’s a standard.”

And at Paris Airshow 2025, that standard was unmistakably Emirates.

By Soo James

======================================