The reason why EK is doing so well is because they gain an advantage from the laws they don't have to deal with, their ruthlessness in their growth/business practices, and an unfair advantage.
You do realize the amount of money Emirates spends on their employees craps on any legacy carrier? The amount of money spent on very good pay packages? Drivers for every pilot, free health care, free schooling for their kids, free housing.....it gets quite expensive for them to do that when you get to their size. I got my type rating on the 737 in United's Denver training center. I've also been to Emirates training center. Theres no comparison.
Emirates pays the SAME landing fees in DXB as all the other carriers. Emirates pays DNATA the same price to service their aircraft as all the other carriers in DXB. Emirates cost to train their employees is just as much, and I would argue more than legacies.
Emirates onboard food and spirits doesn't compare to the Legacies. Here's a list of whats on Emirates DXB-LHR route today:

Dom Pérignon has built its reputation on quality and the name today is synonymous with luxury. The 2004 has intensity and elegance. The aromas of almond and powdered cocoa develop gradually into white fruit with hints of dried flowers. Classic toasted notes give a rounded finish and denote a fully realized maturity. On the palate, the wine instantly traces an astoundingly fine line between density and weightlessness. The full taste lingers with the utmost elegance. This is a Dom Pérignon that will be long lived and remembered for even longer. One of the finest aperitifs known to man, also excellent with seafood and poultry dishes.
Region
France
Wine type
Champagne

Rheingau is undoubtedly home to some of the world’s best Riesling and produces a style of wine that would engage and probably convert almost any Riesling xenophobe. August Kesseler, exponent of some of the finest vineyards in the region, brings this one step closer. The nose of the Lorchhauser Seligmacher explodes with intense florality and an undercurrent of citrus and stone fruits. The palate over-delivers with a gripping and fresh acidity and beguiling texture. The finish lingers with great persistence. An aperitif wine, something for shellfish and for grilled fish with enough weight to carry a rich sauce. Enjoy!
Region
Germany
Wine type
White

Just south of San Francisco and at around 650 metres above sea level is where Mount Eden cultivates its sensational Chardonnay fruit. The cooler air at this altitude gives a more vivid freshness than usually associated with Californian white wines. The 2010 is concentrated and rich yet brilliantly focused and taught. Poached pear, peach and citrus layered over a creamy palate with notes of minerality and crushed rocks. Great with shellfish and grilled fish.
Region
United States
Wine type
White

The Côte Rôtie vineyards are some of the toughest to cultivate in the wine world. Pierre Gaillard has spent his career in this harsh environment, perfecting his craft to produce some of the finest wines of the region. The Côte Rôtie Rose Pourpre 2011 is a superbly crafted wine with exquisite balance. A vibrant nose of fresh violets and blueberries leads to a palate with bountiful fruit and freshness. Excellent with grilled and roasted meats and a good match for spicy meat dishes also.
Region
France
Wine type
Red

Léoville-las-Cases forms part of the elite known as the super-second growths of Bordeaux, so termed as they have the ability to rival the first growths. No surprise in the case of Léoville-Las-Cases since its vineyards border those of Château Latour. The 2004 is à point now. The layers of concentration reveal a beautiful bouquet of ripe blackcurrant and sweet cherry and toasty vanilla. The texture is dense but supple. A treat for any occasion, superb with red meat dishes and drinks very well on its own.
Region
France
Wine type
Red

The intriguing Pharaoh Moans label is a replica of the Rosetta Stone, which in 1822 finally decoded the hieroglyphic script. Predominantly Syrah with a touch of Grenache the 2011 Pharaoh Moans has a huge nose of black berry, chocolate and Asian spice. Full bodied and velvety, the 2011 is both balanced and generous with cherry, raspberry coulee and melted chocolate on the palate. Excellent with an array of foods including grilled meats and spicy dishes.
Region
United States
Wine type
Red

Château Guiraud is one of the Premier Grand Cru Classé châteaux of Sauternes, capable of producing some of the best sweet wines in the world. The 2002 Guiraud is an absolute classic, boasting plenty of botrytis notes. Almond, white flower, orange, pear and citrus zest on the nose, beautiful balance on the palate with green tea and pepper notes. Great length and purity on the finish. The wine was repackaged into the Wine In Tube packaging recently and this marks the first time Emirates serves a wine in this format.
Region
France
Wine type
Dessert

This incredible port is a blend of different tawny ports with a minimum age of 40 years. Freshly bottled from the barrel the Sandeman 40 displays beguiling aromas of dried apricot, vanilla and honey. The palate is rich and reminiscent of Christmas with dark raisins, honey and nuts. Delicious with blue cheese and chocolate desserts.
Region
Portugal
Wine type
Port

Clicquot’s signature non-vintage Brut is loved all over the world for its crisp, full flavours, consistent quality and celebratory yellow label. Often referred to as ‘The Widow’ (after the matriarch, Madam Clicquot Ponsardin, who was widowed at the tender age of 27), this classical dry Champagne is a blend of two-thirds black grapes (Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) for body, balanced with one-third Chardonnay for elegance. It has a fine persistent sparkle and golden Champagne colour. It remains one of the benchmark non vintage Champagnes of the world.
Region
France
Wine type
Champagne

Château Guiraud is a premier Grand Cru Classé château of Sauternes. The ‘G’ is a dry white Bordeaux made from the same estate blending 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon. A very unique wine with a nose of lime blossom, green grass and a faint saltiness. The palate screams white Bordeaux showing the hallmark richness, a squeeze of grapefruit and lemon and a wrap of oak. A very moreish wine that would pair well with light seafood starters if you can make it last that long.
Region
France
Wine type
White

The Larry Cherubino Pedestal 2013 is a classic example of Margaret River Chardonnay expressing a nose of fresh nectarines, mango and grapefruit. The palate is well balanced with citrusy acidity, flavours of nectarines, peach melba and hints of toasted almonds. The finish is creamy and leisurely oaky with a soft and seductive texture. Enjoy with fish, chicken and pasta dishes.
Region
Australia
Wine type
White

Du Tertre 2005 is one of those wines that just hits the sweet spot. Still youthful after 9 years yet showing already some intriguing aromatics – truffles, cassis, black berries with light, toasty oak. The palate is layered and textured with rich fruitcake flavours and hints of chocolate. The sweet tannins and overall opulence provide a finish that you just don’t want to end. Excellent with red meat dishes, not so good with spicy food.
Region
France
Wine type
Red

A beautiful estate just outside of Florence, Collazzi is the hobby winery for Lamberto Frescobaldi, better known for being President of the eponymous Tuscan house. The estate was replanted not so long ago with Bordeaux varieties and the resultant wine now sits in the Super Tuscan category as opposed to being a Chianti. The best way to describe Collazzi is seamless. Bold aromas of currants and blueberries lead to a silky and generous palate with firm yet fine tannins. Pure joy best appreciated with red meat dishes.
Region
Italy
Wine type
Red

Quinta do Portal is a small single estate producer, somewhat of a rarity in the region. Tawny is an overlooked style of port, very different to the better known vintage style. Colheita refers to a vintage tawny port. Aged in port pipes for nearly all its life the wines take on a colour as suggested in the name and the fruit flavours change from the more common damsons and berries to dried white fruit, café au lait and caramel. The palate offers nutty flavours and Christmas spice. Excellent with chocolate as well as salty cheese.
Emirates can't go to these vendors and ask for below cost prices. Legacies don't carry these brands. More cost to Emirates. If you guys look up the price of 1 bottle of DOM 2004, it's $200. They don't stock just one bottle per aircraft. The amount of money Emirates spends on their product is far greater than say United or American.
So, thus far:
1. Landing fees
2. Labor costs
3. Inflight catering
4. Ground Services
5. Maintenance
are just a few of the items that Emirates doesn't have an advantage on. Let's talk about some of the costs Emirates has that Legacies don't come close to.
Marketing and Branding.
United might spend some money on The United Center in ORD where the Bulls play, but thats just one arena. Emirates?
1. Asian Football Confederation
2. Arsenal FC Emirates Stadium
3. AC Milan
4. Paris Saint Germain
5. Hamburger SV
6. Real Madrid
7. The Emirates Cup
Thats just soccer
They sponsor Rugby, Tennis, Motorsports, Horse Racing, Golf, Cricket.....it ain't cheap. It's $$$$$$$. Waaaaaaaay more than Legacies spend.
What about MX? Once again, with the worlds largest fleet of B777s and A380s, they probably get a good price on parts through economies of scale, but thats their advantage of doing business. They're still paying lots of money for it.
Legacy's are having their asses handed to them by a better run, better managed, better everything airline. The only US carrier that has their stuff together is Delta.