‘The Future is Here’: Dubai Airshow 2025 preview & aircraft guide

Two more sleeps until Dubai Airshow 2025 opens its doors to the industry. Filling the halls this year are some 1,500-plus exhibitors, and outside, over 200 aircraft will participate in the static and flying displays.

Housed in lavish chalets around the site, the biggest names in aerospace will meet, negotiate and potentially agree deals worth billions. Company logos from Airbus and Boeing, RTX and Lockheed, Gulfstream and Bombardier, will flutter on flags all along the flight line.

Simultaneously, Dubai Airshow conferences will see some of the brightest minds in aviation take to the stage for panels and presentations. Across four stages and 12 different tracks, more than 450 speakers will bring their insight

Whether you’re heading to Dubai for the Airshow or following along from home, here’s your essential guide to the highlights that are to come over the next five days.

Dubai Airshow 2025: Attending aircraft

As with any airshow, the highlight of the event for the avgeek inside of all of us is the aircraft. Dubai Airshow publishes a list of the confirmed attending aircraft, and it’s still being updated

As of Saturday afternoon, there are about 72 aircraft listed on the page. This could either mean the rest of the 200+ aircraft mentioned by the show are involved in flypasts, such as the air force display teams, or that there are still some surprises to come.

Military aircraft attending Dubai Airshow 2025

As of Saturday afternoon, the following defence aircraft are listed as attending the airshow: 

The defence lineup brings a genuinely eclectic mix with plenty of highlights.

Of particular interest is Aero Vodochody’s L-39 SkyFox, which makes its Dubai debut with a fresh chance to impress operators looking for a modernised trainer.

The Eurofighter Typhoon remains one of the highest-profile fast jets at the show, a reminder of Europe’s ongoing investment in multirole airpower. And Pakistan’s JF-17 returns as one of the most active combat aircraft in its class, offering a rare opportunity to examine the latest Block upgrades up close.

The commercial aircraft at Dubai Airshow

As of Saturday afternoon, the following commercial aircraft are listed as attending the airshow: 

The commercial showing is unusually diverse this year, with several first-timers.

Etihad’s brand-new A321LR will be one of the most visited aircraft at the show as the airline showcases its next-generation narrowbody strategy.

For the first time, COMAC is fielding both its C919 and C919 STD variants along with the C909, which are sure to be a highlight for many who will be seeing them for the first time.

Adding a dash of future tech, Joby will not only be on the flightline but also participating in the flying display. Again, for many visitors, seeing the eVTOL fly will be a first-time experience.

The executive and general aviation aircraft at Dubai Airshow

As of Saturday afternoon, the following commercial aircraft are listed as attending the airshow: 

Corporate aviation has a compact but high-quality presence. Boeing’s BBJ 737 anchors the top end of the segment, showing off its enduring appeal among governments and VIP operators.

Textron’s Cessna Citation Latitude hasn’t been at an airshow for a while, although attendees can’t help but be slightly disappointed it’s not bringing its recently certified Citation Ascend. Perhaps it’s still waiting for the correct ETOPS application?

Dubai Airshow flying display: What we know so far

Dubai Airshow typically leaves publishing the schedule of the flying display until the very last moment. This is to accommodate potential technical failures on participating aircraft or, less likely, inclement weather.

Nevertheless, we have had some information already about which aircraft are going to fly (and can make an educated guess at others).

Boeing has confirmed that the 777X will fly, giving visitors another chance to see the world’s largest twin-engine jet in motion. Joby is also part of the flying programme, marking the first time an electric air taxi will perform in Dubai’s skies. Russia’s Su-57E, meanwhile, is confirmed to appear, adding a rare fifth-generation fighter to the mix.

Emirates has said it will open the first afternoon’s display with a formation of all three commercial aircraft types in its fleet: the A380, Boeing 777 and the newly introduced A350. Al Fursan, the UAE’s national aerobatic team, is also expected to feature, continuing its tradition of anchoring the home-nation flying showcase.

Beyond these confirmed elements, several additional aircraft are likely candidates for the flying programme, though not officially announced. Embraer commonly flies at Dubai and could choose to put the KC-390 or E195-E2 (or both) into the air.

On the military side, aircraft such as the A400M and Eurofighter Typhoon have flown at previous editions and would be logical additions, though their participation remains speculative at this stage.

Dubai Airshow themes and focuses

Reflective of this year’s strapline – ‘the Future is Here’ – Dubai Airshow 2025 leans heavily into the industry’s most immediate priorities rather than distant hype. Sustainability is threaded through the programme in practical terms, from SAF and cleaner ground operations to airport efficiency and emissions-cutting technologies already in service.

Advanced air mobility moves from concept to reality this year, with flying displays and the first wave of regionally anchored partnerships showing how eVTOLs are edging toward commercial use.

On the commercial side, the focus is on fleet renewal, supply chain stability and the return of widebody demand, while defence showcases a mix of next-generation fighters, multirole aircraft and regional security cooperation.

Read also: Dubai Airshow order rumours

Alongside this, the show introduces expanded conference tracks on digitalisation, cyber security and workforce development, reflecting the pressures airlines, OEMs and regulators are prioritising right now.

Overall, it’s a forward-looking edition, but one rooted in technologies and decisions the industry must get right over the next five years rather than the next fifty.

Dubai Airshow conference highlights

With four stages, 12 tracks and over 450 speakers, the Dubai Airshow’s conference programme brings together aerospace leaders, innovators and start-ups under one roof.

Highlights include the Aerospace 2050 stage exploring space, sustainability and next-gen talent; the Aviation Mobility stage covering airlines, airports, MRO and eVTOL; the Vista stage which spotlights start-up innovation; and The Academy stage focusing on tech, cyber and workforce development. New this year are dedicated tracks on smarter maintenance, digital airport operations and “Future Flight: Powered by Women.”

While each attendee will have their own conference highlights they just can’t miss, the following sessions are some of the big highlights that are bound to appeal to many:

As ever, Dubai Airshow will mix hard news with a healthy dose of spectacle. Whether it’s major fleet decisions, breakthrough technologies or the roar of the flying display, next week promises a clear view of where the industry is heading next.

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