Emirates launches longest A380 flight

Wednesday, 4 December 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Fly with the stars through the stars all the way to LA

Emirates, which has often picked up the Oscars of the travel industry, has swooped into the home of the original Oscars to launch its celebrated A380 service. Packed with Hollywood movies on ice Digital Widescreen, the double-decker touched down in Los Angeles yesterday, becoming the world’s longest A380 service in operation.

The landmark flight, crossing the Russian Federation, the North Pole and Eastern Canada, has a published duration of 16 hours 20 minutes, more than enough time to delve into over 400 hours of in-flight Hollywood movies. “Bringing the glamorous A380 set of wings to the City of Angels seemed like a natural fit as this aircraft mirrors the luxury of the Hollywood lifestyle,” said Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations West Hubert Frach. The Emirates’ A380 is like no other. Its generously proportioned Economy Class, exclusive mini-pods in Business Class and Private Suites in First Class are talked about the world over. On the top deck of the aircraft, First Class passengers can freshen up in one of two Onboard Shower Spas, whilst First and Business Class travellers can mix and mingle in the popular Onboard Lounge – enjoying a drink and exchanging tales at 40,000 feet. Passengers in all cabins have access to WiFi, 1,500 channels of in-flight entertainment and gourmet-chef prepared meals, served by highly trained, multi-lingual cabin crew.

Generous luggage allowances are available to customers; 30 kilograms in Economy Class, 40 kilograms in Business Class and 50 kilograms in First Class. Premium passengers can also enjoy dedicated lounges and chauffeur-driven transfers at many destinations across Emirates’ network. The airline started flying to Los Angeles in 2008 with the Boeing 777-200LR. The introduction of the 489-seat A380 service, powered by US-made GE GP7200 engines, is a direct response to demand with over one million passengers travelling between Los Angeles and Dubai so far. Emirates 23rd A380 service will operate daily as EK 215 departing Dubai at 0820hrs and arriving at Los Angeles International Airport at 1250hrs the same day. The return flight, EK 216, departs Los Angeles at 1600hrs and arrives in Dubai at 1950hrs the following day. The double-decker has 14 First Class Private Suites, 76 lie-flat beds in Business Class and 399 spacious seats in Economy Class. The A380’s arrival time in Dubai offers passengers from LA connections to an extensive range of onward destinations in the Middle East, Indian Sub-continent, Africa, Asia and the Far East. The airline operates 63 weekly flights to the US, serving seven gateways; Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Washington DC and New York JFK, where two of the three daily flights are operated with A380s. The 3rd JFK flight, operated with a Boeing 777-300ER, stops in Italy’s fashion capital of Milan before continuing to New York. A daily service from Dubai to Boston will start 10th March 2014. With 131 Boeing 777s in its fleet worth $ 34 billion, and a further 150 Boeing 777Xs ordered at Dubai Air Show 2013, valued at $ 76 billion, Emirates is a major contributor to the US aerospace industry. The airline also supports a number of sponsorships in the market. Amongst them are Emirates Airline US Open Series, Official Airline of the BNP Paribas Open, Official Airline of the San Francisco Symphony, Official Airline of USA Rugby, Presenting Sponsor at the Reliant Stadium - home of the Houston Texans NFL team and Sponsor of the New York Cosmos soccer team.