When you think of Dubai? Skyscrapers, luxury, shopping malls? Sure. But for travelers, Dubai is something else entirely—it’s a hub, a transit point, and home to one of the busiest airports in the world. And when you throw Emirates into the mix, the city’s identity as an aviation powerhouse becomes undeniable.
I found myself here in the middle of the night, making my way through this massive, interconnected airport for a 3 AM Emirates flight to Lahore. If there’s one thing Dubai does well, it’s scale—Terminal 3 alone, dedicated mostly to Emirates, is the largest airport terminal on the planet. The numbers are mind-boggling: 18.4 million square feet of space, 264 destinations, 96 airlines. Dubai International isn’t just a stopover; it’s a machine that keeps the world moving.
A Transit Experience Like No Other
After landing at Terminal 1, I had to hop on an airside shuttle to Terminal 3, which operates like a city of its own. My first stop was the transit desk, where a friendly agent verified my visa and onward ticket. When I mentioned my next flight—PA110—he looked up, smiled, and said, “Oh, Air Blue?” A simple comment, but one that made me rethink my life choices for a second.
Once through, I stepped into what can only be described as a shopping mall disguised as an airport. Dubai International is, after all, the busiest airport in the world for international passengers, seeing almost 87 million travelers last year.
Dubai’s Aviation Empire
Dubai didn’t just build a huge airport and hope for the best—they created airlines to fill it. Emirates, which started in 1985 with aircraft leased from Pakistan International Airlines, has grown into an industry giant. It now flies only wide-body aircraft, mostly A380s and 777s, with over 300 more planes on order. Meanwhile, Flydubai operates regional routes, adding another 124 destinations to Dubai’s aviation network. Together, these two airlines turn Dubai into one massive hub, connecting the world in a way that few other cities can.
This model is the opposite of how airlines in the U.S. operate. Instead of emphasizing point-to-point travel like United or Delta, Emirates bets on efficiency—assuming passengers will need two flights and routing them through Dubai. It’s a strategy that works, but also one that has outgrown even this enormous airport.
What’s Next?
With Terminal 3 expanding as much as it can, Dubai has already planned for the future: Al Maktoum International Airport, a project so massive that the numbers feel unreal. The new airport, currently handling mostly cargo and low-cost carriers, will eventually become the main hub for Emirates and Flydubai, designed to accommodate up to 260 million passengers annually. And here’s the kicker—it’s set to have 400 gates. That’s more than twice as many as Atlanta and O’Hare combined. If all goes according to plan, it’ll be fully operational within the next decade.
The Flight: Comfort? Not So Much
After wandering through the sea of transiting passengers, it was finally time to board. The gate experience was a bit chaotic, with boarding passes and visas being checked manually. But once on the plane, things took a turn for the cramped.
This was my first time flying Emirates Economy on a Boeing 777 with their dreaded 3-4-3 seating. I usually avoid this layout for good reason, and let me tell you—it was every bit as uncomfortable as I feared. The seats themselves looked nice: clean, with a bright screen, power outlets, and an adjustable headrest. But the space? Brutal.
Here’s what made it worse:
- Chunky armrests – The older seat design meant every bit of space felt reduced.
- Nowhere to put things – Between the pillow, blanket, and headphones, I felt like I was buried under stuff.
- Window seat struggles – The curve of the plane meant even less wiggle room.
Look, if you’re one of the rare people who find 3-4-3 configurations comfortable, I salute you. But for the rest of us, this was a claustrophobic fever dream.
The Meal & Entertainment
The in-flight meal arrived shortly after takeoff, and I was surprised at the sheer weight of the tray. I went with the beef and rice option, which—despite being crammed onto a tiny tray—was actually pretty good. Solid 8.1/10.
On the bright side, Emirates’ entertainment system is second to none. With thousands of movies, TV shows, and even live cameras outside the plane, you’d have to actively try to be bored. The provided headphones were also surprisingly good for economy class.
Landing in Lahore
As we crossed into Pakistani airspace, the sunrise painted the sky with soft pinks and oranges—one of those quiet moments that remind you why travel is worth it. The service on board was friendly and efficient, with crew members who clearly had this routine down to a science.
When we touched down in Lahore, I had to laugh—this wasn’t a destination I ever expected to be flying into on Emirates. But here we were.
Would I fly Emirates in Economy again? Absolutely—but only on their A380s or A350s. Their 777s with 3-4-3 seating? Hard pass. I’d rather take a low-cost carrier’s A320 over that any day. That said, Emirates offers a premium experience for a short-haul flight, with great service, entertainment, and food. This journey was just one piece of a bigger adventure.