As the unstoppable tide of time sweeps us ever deeper into the month of November, the long-awaited Dubai Airshow is now just a week away from starting. Serving as a perfect winter warmer following the Paris Air Show in the summer, the event is always a highlight of the aviation calendar.
With seven days left, excitement surrounding the momentous occasion is continuing to build, with more and more aircraft and manufacturers having been confirmed as attending the show. US planemaker Boeing will even make its hotly anticipated return to airshow action in Dubai, so let’s see what you need to know.
Times & Dates
The 2025 Dubai Airshow will kick off next Monday, on November 17, at 
Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Also known as Dubai World Central, this sprawling facility is just under 25 miles (40 km) away from the city of Dubai itself, and primarily handles cargo traffic. However, it has also been handling more and more passenger flights in recent years, as work continues to expand the airport to become Dubai’s main air hub.
|
Dubai Airshow 2025 Opening Hours |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Day |
Opening Time |
Closing Time |
|
Monday |
10:00 |
17:30 |
|
Tuesday |
10:00 |
21:00 |
|
Wednesday |
10:00 |
17:30 |
|
Thursday |
10:00 |
17:30 |
|
Friday |
10:00 |
17:30 |
As detailed in the table above, four of the five days of the show, which will run from November 17 to 21, will have opening hours of 10:00 to 17:30 local time. However, Tuesday has an extended session that runs into the evening, known as Airshow After Dark, when those behind the event will be “transforming the Static Park into an evening hub with live performances, immersive experiences, hospitality, and free drinks.” The show says:
“Over 90% of visitors say it’s essential for their business. With 8,000 sqm of added space, this year’s show offers an unmatched lineup of top-tier exhibitors, exclusive debuts, and nonstop networking that drives real results.”
A Diverse Aircraft Lineup In The Skies & On The Ground
For airlines and manufacturers, major events such as the 
Dubai Airshow 2025 offer an ideal setting in which to seal trade deals, and share news of orders large and small with the wider world. However, firms can also target prospective customers, with aircraft displays playing an important role on this front.
While many aircraft appearing at the event will be displayed on the ground in a static manner, a select handful will also take to the skies for flying displays that showcase their capabilities to a more tangible extent. Last year, 192 aircraft attended the show, with a reported total of more than 200 expected this time around. Naturally, Simple Flying has been keeping a close eye on proceedings as far as the list of attendees is concerned.
The first wave of confirmed aircraft comprised a list that consisted of around 60 aircraft, serving as an exciting teaser to get prospective attendees’ juices flowing in the run-up to the show. Airbus was among the big hitters in this first wave, with both military and commercial aircraft listed, while Chinese manufacturer COMAC is also set to make history by appearing at the show for the first time with its C909 and C919 twinjet airliners.
Boeing Is Back
When the first wave of aircraft was shared with the wider world, a notable absentee was US manufacturer Boeing. The firm has had something of a hiatus on the airshow front in recent years, only sending static display aircraft to Farnborough in 2024 and pulling out of Paris this year after the Air India crash.
However, news finally filtered through at the end of last week that Boeing would be present in Dubai, with both military and commercial aircraft appearing in not just the static display but also the flying display. Most notably, the 777X will take to the skies, with the military P-8 Poseidon also in the flying display.
Among the other Boeing families set to be present in Dubai are the 737, 747, 777, AH-64, B-52, C-17, CH-47, F-15, and KC-46. The firm hopes that the event will also serve as an ideal opportunity to showcase and build on its relationships in the Middle East, a region where it has garnered considerable custom.
