Image credit: Emirates/Website
As turbulence becomes an increasingly serious challenge for global aviation, Emirates has adopted a forward-looking, data-driven strategy to deliver smoother, safer flights. The airline’s multi-layered approach, integrating real-time weather data and artificial intelligence, has already reduced unexpected severe turbulence across its vast international network, according to an Emirates Media report.
Captain Hassan Alhammadi, divisional senior vice president Flight Operations at Emirates, said the carrier’s initiatives have begun to show measurable results.
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“We recognise that turbulence remains an ongoing challenge that cannot be completely eliminated, but we’re committed to doing everything possible to minimise unexpected severe turbulence encounters through working with partners who share our vision of using advanced technologies and adopting AI to enhance operations,” he said.
“While we cannot promise turbulence-free flights, these initiatives have contributed to a significant reduction in unexpected severe turbulence incidents over the past year, helping make journeys safer and more comfortable for our customers.”
Alhammadi added that Emirates’ participation in the IATA Turbulence Aware programme allows the airline not only to access but also contribute valuable data to a global network of aviation partners, strengthening industry collaboration on this emerging meteorological challenge.
“Our multi-layer approach with weather prediction and technology partners enables us to contribute valuable data and insights to the broader aviation industry as we collectively work to address this growing challenge,” he noted.
Layered weather intelligence through global partnerships
Emirates’ integrated weather detection setup brings together SkyPath, Lido mPilot from Lufthansa Systems, and IATA Turbulence Aware, a combination that delivers innovation powered by AI, machine learning, and real-time, crowd-sourced data.
SkyPath collaboration: Emirates partnered with SkyPath last year to refine AI- and machine learning-based weather models capable of identifying turbulence zones often missed by conventional methods. SkyPath’s system aggregates real-time turbulence data from thousands of aircraft using Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR) measurements, ADSB transponder data, and SkyPath’s patented iPad accelerometer technology. The result is enhanced predictive accuracy for global flight operations, including the detection of clear-air turbulence, which remains one of the most difficult weather patterns to forecast.
Lido mPilot weather predictions: In partnership with Lufthansa Systems, Emirates leverages a customized navigational app that delivers precise weather insights drawn from the German Weather Service and other high-quality data providers. The app offers pilots live visualisations of cloud patterns, turbulence zones, and icing forecasts, enhancing in-flight situational awareness. Emirates’ ongoing collaboration with the Lido team ensures continued improvements in data accuracy and coverage.
IATA turbulence aware: Since joining IATA’s global Turbulence Aware programme, Emirates has been both a contributor and beneficiary of real-time atmospheric data shared by airlines across the world. The insights are integrated directly into Emirates’ electronic flight bag systems, allowing pilots to visualise and avoid turbulence in real time. This has translated into smoother flights, better fuel management, and enhanced passenger comfort across routes spanning the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
The combination of these tools, powered by AI, crowdsourced intelligence, and cross-industry collaboration, marks a step-change in how Emirates is future-proofing flight safety and operational reliability.
Global recognition: Emirates’ commitment to excellence wins multiple awards
Building on its technological advancements, Emirates’ continued focus on delivering a premium travel experience has also earned the Dubai-based airline a slew of international accolades. This month alone, Emirates secured ‘Best International Airline’, ‘Best International First Class’, and ‘Best International Airline Lounge’ titles from the Forbes Travel Guide Verified Air Travel Awards. Additional recognitions poured in from prestigious organisations such as the World Travel Awards, The Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards, and the Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards.
For the second consecutive year, Emirates was named Best International Airline by Forbes Travel Guide, based on votes from 9,000 frequent fliers, luxury travel advisors, and Forbes inspectors. The rating process, verified through a star system, praised the airline for its continuous innovation across every aspect of the passenger journey.
Forbes highlighted that Emirates’ “secret” lies in its relentless refinement of the customer experience.
“The Dubai-based airline continually refines every aspect of the passenger experience. For example, Emirates recently debuted an opulent lounge-like check-in area for its First-Class and Skywards Platinum members, and it’s the first autism-certified airline, with more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff trained to support travellers with autism.”
Expanding network, winning over global travellers
Emirates also secured the title of ‘Best Long-Haul Airline’ at The Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards 2025, garnering over 900,000 reader votes.
The award cited Emirates’ “cabin crew service, First Class suites (including showers), and its fleet of roomy Airbus A380s.” The publication also praised Emirates’ expanding network, noting its new destinations in 2025, including Shenzhen in China and Siem Reap in Cambodia, gateway to the Angkor Wat complex.
The airline’s dedication to excellence was further validated by its 87.86 score in the Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards and the title of Middle East’s Leading Airline Brand at the regional finals of the World Travel Awards 2025.
First class excellence: Defining luxury in the sky
Emirates’ dominance in luxury air travel continues to be unmatched. As the world’s largest operator of international First Class seats, offering 26,800 seats weekly, all configured as private suites, Emirates has become synonymous with bespoke, high-end aviation.
At the Forbes Travel Guide Awards, Emirates’ First Class on the Boeing 777-300ER earned the title of Best International First Class for its lavish design and amenities. The suites feature floor-to-ceiling privacy doors, zero-gravity seats, Bulgari fragrances, and fine dining options ranging from gourmet snacks to caviar. Complementary chauffeur transfers, expedited connections in Dubai, and lounge access complete the elite travel experience.
The airline’s First Class Lounge in Dubai was named Best International Airline Lounge by Forbes for offering “everything a traveller could need and more”, from 72-hour braised beef short ribs to a cigar bar, spa treatments, and direct boarding gates.
Sustained industry dominance and brand power
Emirates’ momentum extends beyond First Class. At the World Travel Awards 2025 regional finals, the carrier clinched Middle East’s Leading Airline, First Class and Middle East’s Leading Airline Lounge, First Class. Earlier in 2025, it also captured Best Long-Haul Airline at The Telegraph Travel Awards, Most Recommended Global Brand by YouGov, and multiple titles at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards, including Best Airline Worldwide for the 12th consecutive year.
The airline’s loyalty programme, Emirates Skywards, continues to set benchmarks as well, earning recognition as Best Global Airline Loyalty Program at the International Loyalty Awards 2025 and Middle East’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme at the World Travel Awards.
Flying into the future: Innovation meets recognition
The synergy between Emirates’ operational innovation and its growing list of accolades paints a compelling picture of a brand that continues to set global aviation benchmarks. By combining AI-powered flight technologies with unrivalled luxury and service, Emirates is not just enhancing the travel experience, it’s reshaping the standards of modern air travel.
As Captain Alhammadi put it, the airline’s pursuit of excellence is both scientific and customer-centric: “Every flight is an opportunity to improve safety, efficiency, and comfort. These new technologies are not just tools, they’re a way for us to deliver the Emirates promise more consistently, no matter where we fly.”
From pioneering turbulence prediction systems to topping international award charts, Emirates continues to prove that its ambition to lead the skies is matched only by its ability to innovate, ensuring that the journey, as much as the destination, defines the Emirates experience.
