11 huge Dubai changes arriving this winter 2025
Dubai is constantly evolving, with everything from bold new buildings reshaping the skyline to updated laws and guidelines influencing everyday life.
As we head into the final months of 2025, the emirate is preparing for some major changes, including a brand-new mode of transport and the return of a few familiar attractions.
Scroll to discover the biggest changes coming to Dubai this winter 2025/2026
1) Free Wi-Fi is coming to all Emirates flights
Good news for Emirates flyers. You will soon be able to make phone calls and stream your favourite series thanks to free, ultra-fast Wi-Fi on board.
The airline is launching its new Starlink Wi-Fi across the fleet, starting with Boeing 777 aircraft in November 2025 and completing the rollout by mid-2027.
With the upgraded system, you can stream content, play games, make calls, work and browse social media throughout your journey on both seatback screens and your own devices at the same time. Finally.
2) Driverless taxis to hit the road
Driverless taxis will be introduced to Dubai roads in 2025 (Credit: RTA)
The first driverless taxis are set to hit Dubai streets by the end of 2025.
The emirate has ambitious plans to make a quarter of all mobility journeys on public transport autonomous, also known as self-driving, by 2030.
Self-driving cabs will be available via the Uber app by the end of 2025 and will operate with a safety driver on board in the initial phase. A full-scale commercial rollout will then come without a driver in 2026.
Meanwhile, Chinese firm Baidu has pledged to introduce 50 self-driving cabs by the end of 2025. Plans are already in place to introduce 1,000 self-driving cabs by Baidu within the next three years.
3) Single-use plastic ban expanded
Dubai is expanding its single-use plastic ban (Credit: Adobe Express)
Dubai is set to complete a full ban on single-use plastics in the emirate on Thursday January 1 2026.
On the first day of next year, plastic plates, food bowls and cutlery will all be banned in the city.
The ban finalises a policy first announced in 2023, which saw single-use plastic bags banned in 2024 before plastic stirrers, tableclothes, cups and food containers made of styrofoam were banned in 2025.
Dubai’s ban arrives on the same day as wider restrictions are introduced across the country. The UAE will ban the import, production and trade of single-use plastics on the first day of 2026.
4) Dubai taxi fares have changed
(Credit: Canva)
The Roads and Transport Authority has announced a major change in fares for all taxi trips booked through RTA-licensed smart apps.
The change means an increase in the minimum fare when making an e-booking, but the changes do not apply to anyone who hails a cab on the road.
Announced on Wednesday November 6, the minimum fare has now increased from Dhs12 to Dhs13 when e-booking a taxi via apps like Careem.
The RTA has also announced changes to booking fees for peak, off-peak and night hours, with different fees applying to Monday to Thursday, Fridays and Saturday to Sunday. Similarly, these new rates only apply to e-hailed trips.
For a full run-through of the new rates, head here.
5) Stricter teacher rules take effect
New teacher hiring rules have been announced in Dubai (Credit: Dubai Media Office)
Dubai has introduced a range of new rules and guidelines for one of the most popular jobs for expats.
Announced and implemented in September, the effects of the ban will be felt in earnest during the term, as it mainly affects teachers looking to switch jobs.
Among the changes are new rules for teachers and school leaders who now must wait 90 days before starting a new teaching role at another private school in Dubai.
This 90-day rule is among the five new ones introduced for teachers looking for new jobs in Dubai.
6) A new Dubai traffic rule
A Careem rider stays on the right when travelling towards Hatta (Credit: RTA)
A major new traffic law has been introduced across Dubai.
New regulations, introduced by Dubai Police and the Roads and Transport Authority, mean that delivery riders will no longer be able to use the fast lane on the city’s busiest roads.
Effective from Saturday November 1, delivery bikes on high-speed lanes will not be able to use the two leftmost lanes on roads with five lanes or more.
Additionally, delivery drivers will also not be able to ride bikes on the furthest left lane on roads with three or four lanes.
However, there will be no restrictions on which lanes delivery bikes may use on roads with two lanes or fewer.
7) flydubai introduces new benefits for economy class ticket holders
(Credit: flydubai)
Starting from November, all flydubai economy passengers will now get meals and in-flight entertainment built into the price of their ticket.
Previously, passengers with the DXB-based airline would have to pay extra fees for these amenities.
The announcement comes as the airline prepares to expand its network and is a direct response to customer feedback.
Meals, light snacks and beverages inspired by the destinations that the airline serves will be available to all customers on board flights. flydubai currently offers regional menus featuring authentic local dishes from African, European, Indian, Middle Eastern, Russian and Southeast Asian cuisines. This could change as the airline expands to new destinations.
In-flight entertainment includes more than 1,000 of the latest Hollywood, Bollywood, Arabic and international films alongside a diverse selection of TV shows from major studios including HBO Max, BBC Kids and Cartoon Network.
8) UAE to trial new one-stop travel project
Following a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Wednesday November 12, it has been confirmed that the UAE will trial a one-stop travel system with Bahrain.
The GCC will finalise and launch the exact terms and conditions of this single-point project for air travel by the end of 2025, according to Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
It is believed that the one-stop travel trial will allow citizens of GCC member states to complete passport control at a single checkpoint before travel. For example, an Emirati travelling from DXB would only go through immigration and security at DXB and would not require any additional screening upon arrival in Bahrain. Read the full details here.
9) 2026 will be The Year of the Family
The United Arab Emirates has announced that 2026 will be the official Year of the Family across the country.
Since 2016, every year in the UAE has followed a theme which informs policy decisions, initiatives and projects throughout the year across the seven emirates.
And 2026 will focus on projects that highlight the central role of the family, supporting its growth and long-term stability and reaffirm its place as the cornerstone of society and a pillar of national prosperity.
The theme in 2025 has been Community, which has seen several major announcements related to that theme. In 2026, we can expect several Family policies to be introduced.
10) National Day celebrations
The UAE Flag Garden is typically part of the National Day celebrations (Credit: ITP Media)
Dubai is all set for a big celebration to mark the 54th Eid Al Etihad and we can’t wait.
As the UAE prepares to celebrate National Day at the start of December, expect to see Dubai look a little different.
Chief among the changes is the likely return of the UAE flag garden once again as the Emirati flag takes over the streets.
And, as with any public holiday in Dubai, we can expect free public parking and extended Dubai Metro timings in addition to at least a couple of days off work.
11) Dubai kids will get a whole month off school
Dubai school kids will enjoy nearly four weeks off for the extended school holiday break at the end of 2025.
The academic calendar was revised back in August by the UAE Ministry of Education. The update meant that private and public schools across the country that follow the international curriculum are now all aligned.
The revised calendar means that schoolchildren will enjoy their final day of school in 2025 on Friday December 5 and won’t return to class until Monday January 5 in 2026.
