Emirates has secured its place as the most valuable airline brand in the Middle East — and the highest-ranked carrier outside the United States — in the Brand Finance Airlines 2025 report. The Dubai-based airline ranked fourth globally with a brand value of $8.4 billion, a 27% increase year-on-year, cementing its reputation as a premier global aviation brand.
Brand Finance 2025: Emirates Airline Brand Ranking Confirmed
The Brand Finance Airlines 2025 report, now in its 15th consecutive year, evaluated 124 airlines across 30 global markets with input from 30,000 respondents. The combined brand value of the top 50 airlines reached $132.4 billion, reflecting continued recovery momentum across the sector.
Emirates strengthened its position through a combination of award-winning service, premium travel experiences, and an expansive global route network. Its sustained investment in sponsorships and partnerships has amplified worldwide brand recognition, and it is consistently recognised as the top airline in the Middle East by major international organisations.
Qatar Airways and Saudia Also Rise
Qatar Airways continued its ascent as a premier luxury aviation brand, growing its brand value to $3.9 billion. The carrier ranks eighth globally and has benefited significantly from the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which elevated Qatar's standing as a global travel and tourism hub and raised the airline's international profile.
Saudi national carrier Saudia recorded a standout performance, increasing its brand value by 34% to $1.1 billion. The growth reflects the airline's strategic innovation drive and its alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 ambitions for global aviation leadership.
Delta Leads the Global Pack
Delta Air Lines retained the top spot worldwide for the seventh consecutive year, with a brand value of $14.9 billion — up 38% year-on-year. Analysts point to Delta's strong financial performance and consistent focus on customer experience as the primary drivers. Industry observers note that rising demand for premium long-haul travel continues to fuel brand value growth sector-wide despite ongoing cost pressures.
Brand Finance 2025 — Top 50 Airline Brand Value Ranking
1. Delta — United States 2. United Airlines — United States 3. American Airlines — United States 4. Emirates — United Arab Emirates 5. Southwest Airlines — United States 6. British Airways — United Kingdom 7. China Southern — China 8. Qatar Airways — Qatar 9. Air Canada — Canada 10. China Eastern — China 11. Air China — China 12. Lufthansa — Germany 13. Ryanair — Ireland 14. Air France — France 15. Singapore Airlines — Singapore 16. Qantas — Australia 17. Korean Air — South Korea 18. Japan Airlines — Japan 19. ANA — Japan 20. JetBlue Airways — United States 21. Turkish Airlines — Türkiye 22. easyJet — United Kingdom 23. Alaska Airlines — United States 24. AirAsia — Malaysia 25. Iberia — Spain 26. KLM — Netherlands 27. IndiGo — India 28. LATAM — Brazil 29. Cathay Pacific — China 30. Thai Airways — Thailand 31. EVA Airways — Taiwan 32. Saudia — Saudi Arabia 33. Asiana Airlines — South Korea 34. Hainan Airlines — China 35. Vueling — Spain 36. China Airlines — Taiwan 37. Jet2.com — United Kingdom 38. Shenzhen Airlines — China 39. Etihad Airways — United Arab Emirates 40. Xiamen Air — China 41. SWISS — Switzerland 42. Wizz Air — Hungary 43. Jetstar — Australia 44. Spring Airlines — China 45. Malaysia Airlines — Malaysia 46. Juneyao Airlines — China 47. Air New Zealand — New Zealand 48. Virgin Atlantic — United Kingdom 49. Aeroflot — Russia 50. Spirit Airlines — United States
