Emirates Sees Record Family Bookings in January

As the new year gets underway, Emirates has wrapped up its busiest month for family travel bookings, with January seeing a surge in reservations that reinforces the airline’s reputation as the preferred choice for families traveling internationally.

In 2025, 84% of all Emirates bookings were for Economy Class, while group and family bookings made up 64% of all Economy passengers. January, a key planning period for annual holidays, saw early bookings dominate, with over 65% of group reservations made at least three months in advance and more than 65% of family bookings made at least two months ahead of travel.

The top destinations for group travelers included Dubai, Jeddah, Medina, Istanbul, and Rome, while families most frequently booked trips to Dubai, Bangkok, Jeddah, Malé, and Mauritius.

With 2026 declared the ‘Year of the Family’ in the UAE, Emirates notes that family travel trends closely follow school holidays, with spring and summer break trips already booked in January. Additional bookings for later in the year are expected during the summer months.

Economy Class Experience Renowned Globally for Families

Emirates operates one of the world’s largest long-haul networks, with Economy Class passengers forming the majority of its clientele. The airline continues to invest heavily in the Economy experience, maintaining world-class standards across cabin design, seating, catering, entertainment, comfort, and onboard service. These standards are consistently delivered across nearly 500 daily flights, showcasing Emirates’ “Fly Better” promise.

Comfort Beyond a Seat

Emirates’ widebody fleet, including Airbus A380s, A350s, and Boeing 777s, provides families with long-haul comfort featuring wider cabins and aisles, larger overhead bins, and optimized cabin airflow and pressurization. Economy Class passengers enjoy ergonomically designed seats with adjustable headrests, generous legroom, personal entertainment screens, and mood lighting that supports relaxation and rest.

These features underscore Emirates’ commitment to ensuring a seamless, comfortable, and enjoyable travel experience for families around the world.