Stansted Airport. Photo: Shutterstock Emirates has welcomed its two millionth passenger at London Stansted Airport, marking a major milestone for the airline’s third London gateway since services between Stansted and Dubai began in 2018.
The milestone was celebrated aboard Emirates flight EK66, where passenger Jeanne Fostel received an upgrade to Business Class along with Emirates Skywards Gold membership. The status provides benefits including complimentary lounge access, additional baggage allowance, complimentary seat selection and bonus Skywards Miles.
Emirates celebrates 2 million passenger.. Photo: Emirates (©Richard Eaton)Eleven other passengers traveling on the same flight were also upgraded to Emirates Skywards Silver membership. Their benefits include access to the Emirates Business Class Lounge in Dubai, additional baggage allowance and bonus Skywards Miles.
Emirates said London Stansted has become an important part of its UK network over the past eight years, providing direct access to Dubai for travelers from London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridge and East Anglia.
The majority of passengers continue their journeys beyond Dubai. Around 30% of customers flying from Stansted stay in Dubai, while approximately 70% connect onward to destinations across Emirates' network. Popular onward destinations include India, Australia, Thailand and Mauritius.
Emirates celebrates 2 million passenger.. Photo: Emirates (©Richard Eaton)The airline initially launched a daily Stansted service in 2018 but increased the route to two daily flights within its first year following strong demand.
Today, both services operate with Emirates' four-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, featuring First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class.
Photo: EmiratesEmirates has also expanded its premium offering at the airport. Premium Economy was introduced at Stansted last year as part of the airline's multi-billion-dollar aircraft retrofit program and is now available on both daily services.
The airline also opened a dedicated 900-square-meter lounge at Stansted in 2024 following an investment of more than £4 million. The facility can accommodate up to 125 passengers, including First and Business Class travelers and eligible Emirates Skywards members.
Jabr Al-Azeeby, Emirates' divisional vice president for the UK, said the two-million-passenger milestone reflected sustained demand for the Stansted service and its role in connecting the region with the airline's global network.
London Stansted Managing Director Gareth Powell similarly highlighted the demand for international connectivity from London and the East of England, noting that Emirates' lounge investment had further strengthened the partnership.
Emirates' presence at Stansted extends beyond passenger services. The airline also operates a weekly freighter from the airport, supporting regional businesses with connections to international markets.
Emirates SkyCargo transports around 25,000 tonnes of cargo through London Stansted each year. Shipments include pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, high-value goods and industrial machinery.
The two-millionth passenger milestone comes as Emirates continues to use Stansted as an important gateway to its wider network across the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Australia.