EMIRATES is to further boost its fast-growing US network with the start of a second daily A380 service to New York JFK.
From January 1, 2013, EK203 from Dubai to JFK, and its return sector EK204, will become A380 flights, offering an increased capacity of almost 1,000 additional seats in both directions every week. The service is currently operated by a Boeing 777-300ER.
“Emirates is experiencing very high demand for its New York flights and the start of a daily A380 service to JFK will enable us to offer more choice for our customers to benefit from the Emirates A380 experience,” said Thierry Antinori, executive vice president of Passenger Sales Worldwide. “Given the popularity of this giant aircraft, known for its quietness, spaciousness and award-winning on-board product, we are confident that this news will be well-received by our customers travelling to 17 destinations in the Middle East, 21 African destinations including major hubs in east Africa, 20 destinations in the Far East and Australasia and 10 destinations in India.”
The airline will also start its first ever scheduled A380 service to Moscow from December 1, 2012. The airline’s 517-seat version of the A380 will replace the Boeing 777-300ER on EK flight 131/132, one of its two daily flights to the Russian capital.
Further, Emirates will launch a second A380 service to Paris from the beginning of January 1, 2013 and five daily flights to London Heathrow will soon all be served by A380s from February 1, 2013, firmly establishing the airline as the principal double decker operator into the British capital.
“Our decision to commit a second A380 on the Paris route is a clear sign of potent demand from travellers who wish to fly with Emirates and enjoy our superior product offering,” said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ senior vice president, Commercial Operations, Europe & Russian Federation. “This will be only the second European destination after London Heathrow where we have multiple A380 services each day and one of only a handful on our entire network.”
In London, Emirates has grown its A380 operations since first deploying the aircraft on a scheduled service to Heathrow in December 2008.
The Emirates’ A380, known for its quietness and fuel efficiency, takes airline travel to a higher level. On the upper deck, there are 14 flat-bed First Class Private Suites with electrically operated doors and 76 fully-flat mini-pods in Business Class. Downstairs, depending on the configuration, there are 399 or 427 comfortable contoured seats in Economy Class, spread across four separate cabins.
For First and Business Class travellers on the upper deck, there is an on-board Lounge, which opens once the aircraft reaches cruising altitude. Two on-board Shower Spas are also available for the exclusive use of First Class passengers. Customers in all cabin classes can lose themselves in more than 1,000 channels of in-flight entertainment, while enjoying gourmet cuisine.
In early 2013, Emirates’ A380 passengers are set to experience the world’s first dedicated A380 concourse in Dubai, reflecting further investment in the airline’s global hub.
Amongst its 175 aircraft in operation, Emirates has the world’s largest fleet of A380s with 21 which currently serve Auckland, Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Johannesburg, Kuala Lumpur, London Heathrow, Manchester, Munich, New York JFK, Paris, Rome, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Toronto and Tokyo. Amsterdam will join the A380 network later this month.