The unique livery of Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has been refreshed.

Emirates debuted its new livery at Dubai International Airport with a freshly painted Airbus A380.

The new livery, which includes a newly designed United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag that is “far more dynamic and flowing with a 3D effect artwork” and red wingtips (sharklets) with an Emirates logo in white to provide a contrast, is the airline’s third change design since its inception in 1985. Another difference may be observed from within the aircraft, as the sharklets now have a UAE flag on the inside.

“The characteristic gold “Emirates” inscription over the main body is also bolder and 32.5% bigger. Emirates has preserved its trademark red marking, which it adopted in 2005, on the aircraft belly,” according to a news statement released by the airline on 16 March 2023. The livery’s website link was also deleted.

The first aircraft to sport Emirates’ newest livery is A6-EOE, an Airbus A380, which has rolled out of Emirates Engineering this week after its makeover. Its first deployment will be to Munich on 17 March as flight EK51.

“Aircraft livery is the most readily recognisable brand real estate for every airline. It’s a visual expression of our distinct identity, something we proudly wear and show in every city we visit throughout the world. “We’re modernising our livery to make it current while retaining crucial components of our identity, including the UAE flag on our tailfin and Arabic calligraphy,” said Emirates President Tim Clark.

The new livery will be gradually applied across the rest of the existing Emirates fleet, with 24 aircraft, including 17 Boeing 777s, expected to sport the refreshed livery by the end of 2023. From the first Airbus A350 entering the fleet in August 2024, all new Emirates aircraft will be delivered in this new livery.

Emirates’ original livery in 1985 was designed by the UK design company Negus & Negus, and its in-house design team created all of the airline’s subsequent aircraft colours. Over the years, Emirates’ numerous colourful and eye-catching aircraft liveries have included bespoke designs to drive sponsorship brand association and for special occasions such as the UAE’s 50th Jubilee livery and Expo 2020 Dubai.