Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Emirates to Launch First Commercial A380 Service to America

Air travellers will be able to experience Emirates Airline’s state-of-the-art A380 aircraft for the 1st time at the start of August, when the airline launches its first A380 commercial service from Dubai to The Americas.

The 14-hour non-stop flight will also be the 1st-ever commercial A380 service from Dubai to New York.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group said: “The Americas represent a key focus area in Emirates’ route development plans, and we are delighted to be the 1st airline to launch commercial A380 services to the continent. We are confident that Emirates’ customers travelling to and from North America will welcome the A380’s additional space and capacity, as well as our luxurious onboard amenities which will provide a very high quality travel experience previously associated only with private jets.”

Emirates A380 interiors and onboard product, which have been kept under wraps thus far, will be revealed for the 1st time when the airline receives its first A380 from Airbus’ Hamburg facility at the end of July.

Powered by Engine Alliance’s GP7200 engines, Emirates’ A380s can fly up to 12,000 kilometres on a full passenger load, and offer better fuel economy per passenger kilometre than most hybrid passenger cars. The A380 is also quieter, both inside and outside of the cabin, which means more comfort for passengers and a smaller noise footprint.

On the 1st and 3rd of August, Emirates will operate its brand-new A380 aircraft between Dubai and New York JFK on a commercial basis. These will be additional flights to its existing twice-a-day non-stop service. Subsequently, Emirates will deploy the A380 between Dubai and New York, on one of its scheduled twice-daily flights to Dubai.

Emirates expects delivery of five A380s in its current financial year, all featuring its ultra long-haul configuration of 489 seats: 14 in First Class, 76 in Business and 399 in Economy; with 13 tonnes of bellyhold capacity for cargo. After New York, these aircraft are slated to operate on Emirates’ routes from Dubai to London Heathrow, and Sydney-Auckland.

The largest customer for the A380 superjumbo, Emirates recently announced it will receive the 1st of its 58 A380 aircraft at the end of July. The 58 A380s are worth US$ 18.8 billion at current list prices.

Emirates currently flies a fleet of 116 all wide-bodied aircraft to 99 cities in more than 60 countries. The airline has invested in 58 A380s, and over 100 more new generation aircraft that feature the latest technology and composite materials, because these are more efficient to operate, and produce less emissions while offering travellers more comfort in the air. Emirates’ current order book of 180 aircraft (excluding options), worth approximately US$58 billion, is possibly the largest-ever in commercial aviation history.

Emirates Group PR contact:

Jonathan Hill
Emirates Corporate Communications
Emirates Headquarters
Near Clock Tower
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
(+9714) 203 2329
www.emirates.com