Emirates is preparing for a new chapter on one of the world’s busiest long haul corridors, with plans to operate thirteen daily flights between Dubai and London across Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. Building on record demand and a steady ramp up of capacity in the United Kingdom, the Dubai based carrier is turning the Dubai London market into an almost shuttle like operation, giving business and leisure travellers more choice of departure times, aircraft types and cabin products than ever before.
From Twelve to Thirteen Daily Flights: How We Got Here
For years, Emirates has treated London as one of its most important global gateways, steadily rebuilding and expanding its schedule in the UK after the pandemic. By 2025 the airline had already reached twelve daily services to London, split across six daily flights to Heathrow, three to Gatwick and one to Stansted, with additional seasonal capacity planned at peak times.
The next step in that growth trajectory comes with the introduction of a fourth daily service between Dubai and London Gatwick from 8 February 2026, operated by the carrier’s new Airbus A350. That extra rotation is the piece that locks in a move from twelve to thirteen daily London flights, reflecting sustained demand from both point to point travellers and those connecting through Dubai to the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Australasia.
The fourth daily Gatwick flight supplements Emirates’ robust Heathrow schedule, which is being boosted to 48 weekly services from late October 2025, and its daily operation to Stansted. Together, these enhancements will turn London into a thirteen flight a day super hub for the airline, with frequencies spread from early morning to late evening in both directions.
For passengers, the transition from twelve to thirteen daily services is less about a single headline number and more about the practical experience on the ground: shorter wait times between flights, more flexibility when meetings overrun or plans change, and more options to match preferred aircraft and cabin products.
Which London Airports Are Covered and How Many Flights Each Gets
The thirteen daily services will be distributed across London’s three largest international airports: Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. Heathrow, long established as Emirates’ primary UK gateway, will retain the lion’s share with up to almost seven flights a day once its winter schedule rises to 48 weekly services. These flights are timed to dovetail with major banks of connections in Dubai, particularly for travellers heading onwards to South and Southeast Asia, China, Australia and New Zealand.
Gatwick, to the south of London, is set for a notable step up in capacity. Emirates currently operates three daily flights on the route, largely using the double deck Airbus A380. The addition of a fourth daily service from February 2026, this time on the smaller but more fuel efficient A350, brings Gatwick closer to parity with Heathrow in terms of frequency and gives passengers four separate departure windows each day in both directions.
Stansted, serving London’s northeast and East of England catchment areas, remains an important niche gateway with a daily Emirates service. Reintroduced in 2022 and operated by a Boeing 777 300ER, the Stansted flight is particularly valued by travellers based outside central London who traditionally faced long cross city journeys to Heathrow or Gatwick.
Taken together, the pattern is clear. Heathrow acts as the high frequency flagship operation, Gatwick as a strong secondary hub now upgraded to four daily services, and Stansted as a targeted option for specific catchment regions. For many travellers, the choice of airport will matter as much as the flight time or aircraft type.
Timings, Connectivity and What the New Flight Adds
Schedules on the Dubai London corridor are built around three core expectations from frequent travellers: daylight options in both directions, overnight flights that maximise time on the ground and well timed banks of connections at Dubai International Airport. Emirates has structured its thirteen daily services to tick all three boxes.
The new fourth daily Gatwick flight, numbered EK069 and EK070, is designed as the last departure of the day from each city. EK069 will leave Dubai at 17:05, arriving into London Gatwick at 20:50. The return flight, EK070, will depart Gatwick at 23:55 and land in Dubai at 11:00 the following morning. These timings create a valuable late evening departure from London for those squeezing in a full working day, and a late afternoon option from Dubai for travellers who prefer not to rush to the airport at dawn.
Across Heathrow and Gatwick combined, Emirates’ timetable offers an almost continuous set of departure windows spread from early morning to late at night. At Heathrow, the carrier’s six daily flights, plus additional weekly services in winter, include both mid morning and early afternoon departures from Dubai, and overnight flights back to the Gulf that connect efficiently with onward services to cities across Asia and the Pacific.
That connectivity is a major part of the appeal. A traveller flying from London to destinations such as Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Durban or Auckland can typically connect through Dubai with only a short transfer, avoiding long layovers or awkward middle of the night airport waits. The addition of a late night Gatwick departure further increases the range of London origin flights that align neatly with the busiest connection banks at Dubai.
What Aircraft You Can Expect: A380, 777 and the New A350
One of the distinctive features of Emirates’ Dubai London operations is the variety of widebody aircraft on offer, each with its own cabin layout and onboard experience. On Heathrow flights, the Airbus A380 remains the star of the show, with Emirates deploying the double deckers on all six daily services and on many of the additional winter flights. The A380s are fitted with First Class suites, Business Class lie flat seats and a spacious Economy Class cabin, along with the airline’s signature onboard lounge and shower spa on selected aircraft.
Gatwick services are a mix of A380 and, from February 2026, the new Airbus A350. The A350 900 selected for the fourth daily flight marks a shift in Emirates’ fleet strategy, introducing a new generation of long haul widebody with lower fuel burn and a quieter cabin. In Emirates’ configuration, the aircraft will feature three classes: a dedicated Business Class cabin with lie flat seats in a 1 2 1 layout, Premium Economy and standard Economy.
The new A350 cabin will also showcase the latest technology touches, including wireless charging stations at Business Class seats, updated in flight entertainment with digital menus and refined lighting. Premium Economy, an increasingly popular option on longer flights from Dubai to Europe, offers wider seats, more generous recline and enhanced meals, designed to appeal to travellers trading up from Economy without paying Business Class fares.
Stansted and some winter Heathrow frequencies are operated by the Boeing 777 300ER, a core workhorse in Emirates’ long haul fleet. These aircraft provide a traditional three class layout with First, Business and Economy, and are especially familiar to regular passengers on routes where the A380 is not deployed. For many travellers, the choice between A380, A350 and 777 now becomes part of the decision making process when selecting a London flight.
Cabin Classes, Seating and Onboard Experience
Across all thirteen daily services, Emirates will offer a full suite of cabins designed to capture different segments of the market, from cost conscious leisure passengers to high spending corporate travellers. In Economy Class, travellers can expect a consistent standard of service across aircraft types, with relatively generous seat pitch by industry standards, complimentary meals and beverages, and access to the airline’s extensive in flight entertainment system.
Premium Economy, available on selected A380 and A350 services, is becoming an important middle ground product. The cabin offers wider seats with increased legroom, a dedicated check in area at many airports and enhanced dining. On long sectors like Dubai to London, the extra comfort and quieter cabin environment can make a noticeable difference for overnight flights, particularly for travellers who want an upgrade in comfort but cannot justify Business Class pricing.
Business Class on Emirates’ London flights is built around lie flat seating with direct aisle access on the A350 and A380, and an angled or staggered layout on some 777 configurations. Travellers benefit from priority services on the ground, access to lounges at both ends of the route and a substantial upgrade in personal space, dining and privacy. For corporate flyers balancing tight schedules, the ability to sleep properly on overnight sectors or work comfortably using in seat power and connectivity is a major selling point.
First Class, offered on A380 and selected 777 flights, remains a niche but high profile product, featuring private suites, fine dining and personalised service. While only a small fraction of overall capacity, the presence of First Class on the Dubai London corridor underlines the importance of premium traffic and high net worth travellers to Emirates’ business model in the UK market.
Who Benefits Most: Business, Leisure and Connecting Travellers
The expansion to thirteen daily services will have different benefits for distinct traveller groups. For business passengers, the key advantages are timing flexibility and airport choice. More daily departures mean it is easier to schedule same day return trips, or to combine meetings in London with onward travel to other European or Middle Eastern cities via Dubai. The late night Gatwick service in particular will appeal to those who want to complete a full working day before heading to the airport.
Leisure travellers, including families and those visiting friends and relatives, gain from both increased capacity and a broader mix of fares and cabins. Additional seats help to ease pressure during peak holiday periods and school breaks, when Dubai London tickets traditionally sell out at high prices. With more flights comes greater scope for competitive pricing, particularly in Economy and Premium Economy, and better chances of securing preferred seats together.
Connecting passengers arguably benefit the most from the expanded schedule. Emirates has carefully tuned its London timings to mesh with its global network, especially to South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Australasia. Travellers from London can now choose from more combinations of departure times and connection windows, reducing overall journey time or allowing longer layovers for rest, shopping or lounge visits in Dubai.
The wider UK also wins. Emirates’ thirteen daily London flights sit on top of extensive services from regional cities including Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Passengers from these cities can connect through Dubai to London or use London as a backup or alternative option when regional services are full, disrupted or when fares differ significantly.
Practical Tips for Booking and Choosing the Right Flight
For travellers planning journeys between Dubai and London once the thirteen daily flights are in full swing, a few practical considerations can help in choosing the best option. First, think carefully about the time of day you prefer to travel. Early morning departures from London allow same day afternoon arrivals in Dubai and onward connections to Asia, while late night flights maximise time on the ground but will usually involve sleeping on board.
Second, pay attention to the operating aircraft and cabin availability when comparing flights. If you value extra space or a quieter ride, you may prefer an A380 or A350 service over certain 777 flights, particularly in Economy and Premium Economy. Business travellers may prioritise aircraft with the newest fully flat seats and direct aisle access, which are more likely to be found on A380 and A350 rotations.
Third, consider airport location and ground transport. Heathrow remains better connected to central London by underground and express rail services, while Gatwick offers convenient rail links to the south and southeast, and Stansted is a strong choice for travellers based in East London, Essex, Cambridgeshire and surrounding regions. Factoring in your total door to door journey time can sometimes make a slightly longer flight or different airport the more efficient overall option.
Finally, keep in mind that schedules and aircraft deployments can shift between seasons. While Emirates has outlined a clear plan for thirteen daily London services, fine tuning is common in the airline industry, particularly around peak holiday periods. Travellers who care about specific departure times or aircraft types should check details carefully at the time of booking and monitor their reservations for any updates as the travel date approaches.
What This Means for the Dubai London Corridor
The move to thirteen daily flights cements Emirates’ role as one of the dominant players on the Dubai London route and underscores the continuing strength of travel demand between the Gulf and the UK. The combination of high frequency, large capacity aircraft and multiple London airports gives the airline a scale of presence that few competitors can match on a single city pair.
For passengers, the shift is largely positive. More flights and more seats generally mean more choice, better chances of finding fares that fit different budgets and increased resilience when disruption occurs. With several departures spread across the day from three different London airports, travellers have more alternatives if operational issues arise or if personal plans change at short notice.
For London and Dubai as destinations, the expanded schedule reinforces their positions as global tourism and business hubs. Tourists, conference delegates and expatriate communities rely on reliable, frequent air links, and the thirteen daily Emirates services will play a central role in sustaining visitor flows in both directions. As the A350 joins the A380 and 777 on the route, travellers can also expect a gradual improvement in environmental performance and cabin experience over time.
As February 2026 approaches and the new flights take their place in the timetable, passengers on the Dubai to London corridor will find themselves with an unprecedented range of options. Whether the priority is time, comfort, cost or convenience of airport access, Emirates’ thirteen daily flights are set to make this already busy route even more attractive and competitive.