![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MFETZLMWEGIZTVRXCQF6RVWGCI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6f330e4549861e002f031b873f48348922ec40ee496171b67134e36e7db19139&width=400&height=225)
The first flight arrives in Karachi.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D7WSIR2Z5YE573UGAFT3DWNROU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0c21ce8bb5521d0d55d67c25c8d67ba432b4233cbe1e257803426971521e5907&width=400&height=225)
Guests board the first flight. It took off from Dubai to Karachi on October 25, 1985.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2J6IZ4IKSSLERXKS53ND6AG7XY.jpg?smart=true&auth=9f4cc3faea7bf210df83d1c073e3bfa0e3f70abca05cb226e827a69ef4ee6257&width=400&height=225)
The red carpet was rolled out for Emirates' inaugural flight to Karachi in 1985. All photos Courtesy Emirates
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XS4SBQJBVYIRGCMKES4NFVI3A4.jpg?smart=true&auth=c778ce2b4bef3a1278c20ad98f8082f815bc1e8610759869ad5e4a400803277d&width=400&height=225)
The first passengers board the inaugural Emirates flight in 1985.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ID4XTLRETSGGH6GJQ3OAS4ZHS4.jpg?smart=true&auth=f26765e1cda00042e40f4ae8459e18ad335b14f9059e1411b7dccdea8619b83a&width=400&height=225)
Three flights took place on that day, with the other two to destinations in India.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3ER7ZVHWUO43LK3UE2NLPOQQMI.jpg?smart=true&auth=a21c2d5c211bd26d84a977ce9adec7c02928372c0fdfdaaf6ff46fbe7ed0108e&width=400&height=225)
A ticket stub outlining the airline's first routes.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BRV3K3ZNQM32UM3YHA7AS2HMOM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f6c89605f6d6a498f7e2bec11f31b9637b47eb6140e489238cceebdca0c2459c&width=400&height=225)
An advert for the now world-famous airline.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MFETZLMWEGIZTVRXCQF6RVWGCI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6f330e4549861e002f031b873f48348922ec40ee496171b67134e36e7db19139&width=400&height=225)
The first flight arrives in Karachi.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D7WSIR2Z5YE573UGAFT3DWNROU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0c21ce8bb5521d0d55d67c25c8d67ba432b4233cbe1e257803426971521e5907&width=400&height=225)
Guests board the first flight. It took off from Dubai to Karachi on October 25, 1985.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2J6IZ4IKSSLERXKS53ND6AG7XY.jpg?smart=true&auth=9f4cc3faea7bf210df83d1c073e3bfa0e3f70abca05cb226e827a69ef4ee6257&width=400&height=225)
The red carpet was rolled out for Emirates' inaugural flight to Karachi in 1985. All photos Courtesy Emirates
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XS4SBQJBVYIRGCMKES4NFVI3A4.jpg?smart=true&auth=c778ce2b4bef3a1278c20ad98f8082f815bc1e8610759869ad5e4a400803277d&width=400&height=225)
The first passengers board the inaugural Emirates flight in 1985.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ID4XTLRETSGGH6GJQ3OAS4ZHS4.jpg?smart=true&auth=f26765e1cda00042e40f4ae8459e18ad335b14f9059e1411b7dccdea8619b83a&width=400&height=225)
Three flights took place on that day, with the other two to destinations in India.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3ER7ZVHWUO43LK3UE2NLPOQQMI.jpg?smart=true&auth=a21c2d5c211bd26d84a977ce9adec7c02928372c0fdfdaaf6ff46fbe7ed0108e&width=400&height=225)
A ticket stub outlining the airline's first routes.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BRV3K3ZNQM32UM3YHA7AS2HMOM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f6c89605f6d6a498f7e2bec11f31b9637b47eb6140e489238cceebdca0c2459c&width=400&height=225)
An advert for the now world-famous airline.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MFETZLMWEGIZTVRXCQF6RVWGCI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6f330e4549861e002f031b873f48348922ec40ee496171b67134e36e7db19139&width=400&height=225)
The first flight arrives in Karachi.
Emirates at 35: the flight that changed Dubai for ever
The first Emirates flight took off for Karachi on this day 35 years ago
![John Dennehy](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F6672bef4-f371-4546-90ba-13ad5ded9082.png?smart=true&auth=f1d711e1371a4276112f01656e091484625201f90342530a0b42086db97abdf2&width=70&height=70)
John Dennehy
25 October, 2020
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