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Emirates Airline, the world’s largest international carrier, celebrated 40 years of operations to Pakistan by showcasing its retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft featuring the Premium Economy cabin at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi.
The event marked four decades since Emirates’ inaugural flight, EK600, departed for Karachi in 1985 — the airline’s first-ever international destination. To commemorate the milestone, a special preview of the refurbished four-class Boeing 777 was hosted for government officials, aviation stakeholders, and media representatives.
The flight, operating under the same historic number EK600, arrived in Karachi at 10:45 a.m., allowing guests an exclusive tour of the Premium Economy experience, now available on select global routes. Among the attendees were UAE Consul General H.E. Bakheet Ateeq Al-Rumaithi and Emirates’ Vice President for Pakistan, Mohammed Alhashmi, who reaffirmed the airline’s long-standing partnership with the country.
“Karachi holds a special place in Emirates’ history as our first international destination,” Alhashmi said, emphasizing Emirates’ role in connecting Pakistan to global markets and contributing to its aviation growth. He added that Emirates hopes to introduce Premium Economy service on its Pakistan routes in the near future.
Over the past 40 years, Emirates has carried over 19 million passengers on more than 87,000 flights between Dubai and Karachi. Across Pakistan, the airline has served over 36 million passengers on 146,000 flights, in addition to transporting 73,000 tonnes of cargo annually, supporting trade and tourism.
The Premium Economy cabin features spacious reclining leather seats, 13.3-inch HD screens, charging ports, and upgraded dining with regional menus. The revamped ice entertainment system now offers 6,500 channels, including Urdu-language options, reflecting Emirates’ focus on personalized passenger experiences.
With three daily flights connecting Karachi to global hubs including Dubai, London, Toronto, and New York, Emirates continues to strengthen its position as a key player in Pakistan’s aviation landscape.
