On March 29, 2018, Emiratesย flew the first Airbus A380 to Beirutโs Rafic Al Hariri International Airport. Watch highlights of the flight, the on-board celebrations and historic landing with water cannon salute:
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Emirates unveils more spacious Business Class seats on its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft
Emirates has unveiled a brand new Business Class cabin and configuration on its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, with new wider seats laid out in a 2-2-2 configuration for the first time.
The airline has invested over $150 million (US) to refurbish the 10 existing Boeing 777-200LR aircraft in its fleet.
The newly refurbished Emirates 777-200LR aircraft is set in a two-class configuration which offers 38 Business Class seats and 264 seats in Economy Class. ย While the Business Class seats are in the same design and shape of Emiratesโ latest lie-flat seats, they are now two inches wider for a more comfortable journey. The seats retain the champagne coloured finish and diamond stitch pattern on the full leather cover, and the ergonomically designed headrest revealed on Emiratesโ newest Boeing 777 in November.
The Business Class seat has a pitch of 72 inches and moves into a fully flat sleeping position.ย It also has touchscreen controls for the seat and inflight entertainment system, several personal lighting options, privacy panels between seats, a shoe stowage area, footrest and a personal mini-bar.
Luxury and comfort are at the heart of Emiratesโ product refresh as overhead bins in centre of the cabin have been removed for an airier and more spacious feel on board. The cabin boasts electronic windows and the largest personal in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens in Business Class at 23 inches wide.
The cabin also features the Ghaf tree – considered the national tree of the United Arab Emirates, and now a signature design on the latest Emirates aircraft.
In addition, the new Business Class cabin features a social area (above) โ unique to the Boeing 777-200LR fleet. The mini lounge area (above) features snacks such as crisps, sandwiches and fruit, as well as beverages for customers to help themselves to during the flight.
The offering will complement Emiratesโ full service of regionally inspired cuisine prepared by gourmet chefs, and accompanied by some of the most exclusive wines, champagnes and spirits in the world.
Economy class seats (above) onboard the 777-200LR have also been refreshed to the latest colour palette of soft greys and blues. The ergonomically designed seats come with full leather headrests that have flexible side panels and can also be adjusted vertically for optimum support. Customers can enjoy up to 3,000 channels of on-demand entertainment in ice with 600 movies, over 200 hours of TV, and thousands of music tracks every month. The aircraft is also equipped with Wi-Fi and Live TV across all classes.
Emiratesโ newly refurbished 777-200LR aircraft will go into service on March 6 to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood (below). This is the first of 10 aircraft which will be retrofitted with the new configuration over the course of the year. The refurbished 777-200LR aircraft is planned for several destinations including Emiratesโ most recently announced destination โ Santiago, Chile.
Copyright Photo Below (all others by Emirates):ย Emirates Airline Boeing 777-21H LR A6-EWF (msn 35586) FLL (Bruce Drum). Image: 104633.
Emirates aircraft slide show:
Video: Trip Report: Emirates Boeing 777-300ER First Class Suite
By Sam Chui, Dubai to Brussels on Emirates:
Emirates to launch nonstop Dubai-Newark service with a second daily flight from June 1
Emirates will introduce a new nonstop service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Dubai from June 1, 2018, adding to its existing daily flight which operates with a stop in Athens, Greece.
The new nonstop service will be operated with an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER, offering 8 suites in First Class, 42 seats in Business, 306 in Economy Class, and 19 tons of belly-hold cargo capacity. Flight EK223 will depart Dubai at 0300 am and arrive in Newark at 0900 am. The return flight EK224 departs Newark at 1150 am, arriving in Dubai at 0820 am the next day.ย This new timing complements the existing Emirates service, as it provides travellers with a new option of a morning arrival in Newark, and a morning departure.
The morning arrival in Dubai also means east-bound travellers can conveniently explore one of the worldโs most dynamic cities on a stopover day tour, before taking an evening connection to another destination on Emiratesโ global network.
Changes at New York JFK
From March 25, Emirates will stop operating flight EK207/208, thereby reducing its services between Dubai and New York JFK to three daily flights. From JFK, Emirates will retain two nonstop flights a day to Dubai, and one flight a day via Milan, Italy.
With these operating updates at Newark and JFK, the total number of Emirates flights serving the New York metropolitan area will remain unchanged at 5 daily services from June 1.
Changes at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Orlando
In addition, from March 25, Emirates will add two flights a week each to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood (FLL), and Orlando (MCO), effectively returning to daily services at both airports and reflecting the steady rebound in customer demand.
Copyright Photo:ย Emirates Airline Boeing 777-36N ER A6-EBC (msn 32790) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 929852.
Emirates aircraft slide show:
Videos of the Day: A life-size A380 replica in the Dubai Miracle Garden
Enjoy a birdโs-eye view of the Emirates A380 at Dubai Miracle Garden.
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Emirates reviews its performance and accomplishments in 2017
Emirates issued this report for 2017:
Emirates, the worldโs largest international airline, is concluding another banner year of growth and innovation, marking significant milestones across its fleet, network, and product innovation initiatives, cementing its position as a market leader and industry trendsetter.
Since January 2017, Emirates has carried over 59 million passengers. The airline served over 63 million meals on its flights departing Dubai*, and moved over 35 million pieces of baggage in Dubai to its network of 156 destinations.
Emirates registered over 3,600 passenger flights on average per week, or over 191,000 flights in 2017, travelling more than 886 million kilometres around the globe, which is equivalent to over 16,000 trips to Mars.
Reflecting on the year, Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said:ย โDespite the ups and downs of 2017, Emirates delivered steady growth and we have come out stronger and even more resilient. Throughout the year, we challenged convention and acted nimbly to mitigate challenges and maximise opportunities. We implemented initiatives to boost revenues, trim costs, and used emerging technologies to make our business and operations more agile, without compromising on quality or service. We enter 2018 with optimism, and an unflagging drive to keep raising the bar in terms of customer experience and business performance.โ
Fleet Milestones and Investments
Emirates grew its fleet by 21 new aircraft in 2017, with 9 A380 and 12 Boeing 777-300ER deliveries, rounding off the year with 269 aircraft, and 243 aircraft pending delivery. The airline also retired 11 aircraft over the course of the year.
The airline marked 9 years of A380 operations and also celebrated its 100th A380 delivery milestone in November, strengthening Emiratesโ position as the worldโs largest operator of the iconic double-decker aircraft.ย The Emirates A380 has carried over 90 million passengers since its introduction in 2008.
Powering its fleet expansion and future growth, Emirates made global headlines at the Dubai Airshow when it placed a US $15.1 billion for 40 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The order will enable the airline to maintain a young and efficient fleet, complementing its Boeing 777 and A380 fleet by providing more flexibility to serve a host of new destinations and help unlock further growth.
To meet the growing demand for highly skilled commercial pilots, 2017 also saw the opening of the Emirates Flight Training Academy, one of the most advanced aviation training facilities in the world providing a complete integration of next-generation flight training. Emiratesโ investment in the academy underscores its commitment to support and develop pilots for its own operations as well as for the broader aviation industry.
Boosting Connectivityย
Emirates expanded its network to 156 destinations in 2017, with the addition of three new passenger destinations: Newark, USA via Athens; Zagreb, Croatia; and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
In addition, Emirates boosted frequencies and upgraded capacity to several points across its network, reaffirming the airlineโs commitment to offer greater choice and connections for its customers.
Emirates expanded the number of cities served by its flagship A380 in 2017 aircraft to 48, with the launch of five new A380 destinations: Tokyo-Narita, Casablanca and Sรฃo Paulo, Nice and Johannesburg.ย Emirates also layered on more A380 services to the schedules of existing points and also led one-offย A380 services to four destinations: Boston, Colombo, Warsaw and Bahrain.
In July, Emirates entered into a significant partnership with FlyDubai, which includes an extensive codeshare agreement, strategic schedule alignment, as well as optimising synergies to eventually offer travellers access to over 200 destinations on the combined networks of both airlines. In October, Emirates and Qantas announced the extension of their successful partnership until 2023, with proposed network changes that would deliver greater year-round frequency and more services to Australia and New Zealand.
Emirates SkyCargo also continues to play an integral role in the airlineโs expanding operations, and in 2017 carried 2.5 million tonnes of freight. Emirates SkyCargo created new benchmarks in the air cargo industry with its specialised transportation solutions for industry verticals, including pharmaceuticals. With the introduction of Emirates Pharma, the carrier saw a 38% growth in the volume of pharmaceutical cargo its launch. In May, Emirates SkyCargo and Cargolux Airlines entered into a strategic operational partnership, the first of its kind in the air cargo industry, which saw both carriers working closely on a number of operational aspects including enhancing capacity from key markets, optimising networks as well as boosting belly cargo feeder traffic and hub connectivity capabilities. In October, the two carriers extended the partnership with a codeshare agreement.
Trendsetting Customer Initiatives
Emirates pursued its product and service goals in 2017 with an unwavering focus on providing a strong customer-centric proposition.
The year began with Emiratesโ operations being challenged by short-notice changes to entry requirements into the US, the cabin electronics ban and updated security measures. Emirates responded by introducing a complimentary tablet and laptop handling service on the ground, and providing a tablet loan service to its premium passengers onboard.
In March, the airline launched its enhanced A380 Onboard Lounge, featuring an airier look and feel; new seating arrangements; private yacht-inspired dรฉcor, as well as new high-tech touches including lighting and surround sound.
In November, Emirates unveiled its game-changing, fully enclosed Boeing 777-300ER First Class private suites (above), part of a multi-million dollar upgrade that saw enhancements across all cabin classes.ย Inspired by the Mercedes Benz S-Class, the suites offer up to 40 square feet of private space, as well as personal lighting and climate control features. World-firsts include a NASA inspired โzero-gravityโ seating position, and virtual windows in the middle aisle which project an outside view using real-time camera technology. First Class passengers also have the luxury of easily communicating with cabin crew through the personal video-call function.
Over 10 million passengers connected to Wi-Fi onboard Emirates flights in 2017, reinforcing the importance of connectivity in the air. Emiratesโ industry leading inflight entertainment system, ice, closed the year with over 3,000 channels of entertainment, and continued to win accolades with its 13th consecutive Worldโs Best Inflight Entertainment award at Skytrax World Airline Awards 2017.
In Economy Class, Emirates introduced sustainable blankets made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, making it the largest on board sustainable blanket programme in the airline industry. The soft and warm blankets are made using ecoTHREADโข patented technology with each blanket made from 28 recycled plastic bottles.
Focusing on seasonal and regional flavors, Emirates unveiled a variety of special menus and dishes for occasions including Ramadan, Easter, Chinese New Year, Oktoberfest, Diwali, and Christmas.
On the ground, Emirates expanded its lounge network with the opening of new facilities at Boston Logan International Airport taking the total number of dedicated Emirates Lounges globally to 41. It also refurbished existing lounges in Singapore and Bangkok. In addition, Emirates opened pay-per-visit access to its lounges at Dubai International Airport for its Skywards members and their guests, regardless of their class of travel. As a result, more than 4 million passengers have been able to experience Emiratesโ seven lounges in Dubai in the past year. Emirates also partnered with BMW Group to provide luxury automobiles for its complimentary Chauffeur-drive service for Business Class passengers in the UAE.
Improving the on-ground customer experience further, Emirates and its partners announced the โTogetherโ initiative, a collaboration for a streamlined airport experience with the implementation biometric technology and new automated border control gates, expediting a smoother passenger flow through vital touch-points at Dubai International Airport.
Emirates Skywards, the airlineโs popular loyalty program, hit the 19 million member mark mid-2017, with over 40 billion Miles cashed in for upgrades, reward flights, culture and sports events, as well as benefits and privileges across the programmeโs network of partners. Over 400,000 upgrades were redeemed by Emirates Skywards members in 2017, brought about by easier access through digital channels. The year has also seen the introduction of a number of new air, travel and lifestyle partners with a seamless online and mobile earn and redemption customer experience, including a first in the use of blockchain technology in the loyalty space.
Making it easier for customers to access their flight information and manage their travel, Emirates launched a completely redesigned mobile app and web experience which included a more simplified booking process, check-in experience, Live Chat options, as well as instant redemption options for Skywards members.
Emiratesโ continual efforts to deliver the best possible customer experience were rewarded when it was recognised as the Best Airline in the World in the inaugural TripAdvisor Travelersโ Choiceยฎ Awards for Airlines.
Building on brand success
Emirates continued to invest in its brand. In August, Emirates extended its title partnership with the prestigious FA Cup through to 2021. That same month, the airline renewed its European Tour Agreement for another four years. The new deal includes Emirates becoming an Official Partner of the 2018 Ryder Cup, an event which brings together 24 of the top golfers from Europe and the USA.
In October, Emirates launched a US$15 million campaign to inspire travel and promote the airlineโs extensive network of global destinations including its home, Dubai. The campaign used the classic tune, โDonโt stop me nowโ by British rock band Queen, and the ads utilized clever filming techniques, shifting between key destinations and Emiratesโ onboard experiences, to tell a story of โa picture within a pictureโ.
In November, the airline rolled out TV celebrity Jeremy Clarkson for its global ad campaign, drawing on Clarksonโs humour and motoring credentials to launch its new fully enclosed First Class suites inspired by Mercedes Benz.
During the Dubai Airshow, Emirates offered spectators a special fly-past that featured its Boeing 777-300ER and A380 performing a flying display with the UAEโs air display team, Al Fursan. Both the Emirates 777-300ER and A380 flying display aircraft were emblazoned with the HH Sheikh Zayed decal as a tribute to the late founding father of the UAE.
*Flight figures are for the calendar year 2017
*Catering figures cover meals loaded at Dubai International only. This does not include meals loaded at other destinations.
*Baggage figures cover Dubai International only
Top Copyright Photo:ย Emirates Airline Airbus A380-861 A6-EUA (msn 211) (Arsenal Football Club) LGW (Antony J. Best). Image: 938174.
Emirates aircraft slide show:
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Emirates brings in a step change in 3D printing for aircraft parts
Emirates has announced that it has used cutting-edge 3D printing technology to manufacture components for its aircraft cabins. The airline has reached a significant milestone in innovation by using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), a new and innovative 3D printing technique to produce video monitor shrouds. One of the other recent achievements has been the 3D printing, certification and installation of aircraft cabin air vent grills for onboard trials.
Emirates has worked with 3D Systems, a US based 3D printing equipment and material manufacturer and services provider, and with UUDS, a European aviation Engineering and Certification Office and Services Provider based in France, to successfully print the first batch of 3D printed video monitor shrouds using 3D Systemsโ Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology platform.
This technology uses lasers to bind together powdered plastic into the required shape defined by a 3D model and is different from the Fusion Deposition Modelling (FDM) technique normally used for printing aircraft 3D parts. The material used to print Emiratesโ Video Monitor Shrouds is a new thermoplastic developed by 3D Systems – Duraformยฎ ProXยฎ FR1200 – with excellent flammability resistance properties and surface quality suitable for commercial aerospace business applications.
One of the major advantages of using the SLS technique is the reduced weight of printed components combined with optimisation of the strength of the parts produced. Video monitor shrouds that are 3D printed using the SLS technique can weigh between 9 and 13% lighter than components manufactured traditionally or through the FDM technique. This has the potential to lead to significant reductions in fuel emissions and costs when consolidated over the entire fleet of Emirates aircraft.
Additionally with the SLS technique it is possible to print more than one component at a time when compared with other 3D printing methods. This leads to quicker per-part production times and lesser wastage of raw materials used for production.
Emiratesโ 3D printed video monitor shrouds have undergone a range of structural, durability, flammability and chemical tests and are also in the process of receiving EASA certification for airworthiness for aircraft interior cabin parts. On receiving EASA certification the video monitor shrouds will be installed on select aircraft in the Emirates fleet and will be tracked over the following months for data collection as part of tests for on board durability and wear and tear.
Emirates has also worked with UUDS to develop 3D printed aircraft cabin air vent grills that have received EASA certification and have already been installed on aircraft for onboard trials in late October 2017.
Using 3D printing will also deliver a number of other benefits for Emirates including more efficient inventory management for thousands of aircraft cabin interior components. With the airline being able to print components on demand within a smaller timeframe, it will no longer have to hold a large inventory of spare components or have to go through long wait times for replacement components.
Emirates will evaluate the performance and durability of the 3D printed air vent grills and video monitor shrouds before further roll out across its fleet. The airline will also continue to pursue other opportunities for introducing 3D printed components across its operations.
Photo: Emirates.
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Emirates unveils brand new cabins for its Boeing 777 fleet
Emirates has unveiled completely refreshed interiors for its Boeing 777 aircraft, including its highly anticipated new First Class private suites.
With floor to ceiling sliding doors and sleek design features inspired by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Emiratesโ new suites takes luxury and privacy to the next level. Offering up to 40 square feet of personal space each, these spacious, fully-enclosed private suites are laid out in a 1-1-1 configuration.
From First Class through to the Business and Economy Class cabins, all along the walkways, in the washrooms and galleys, the latest Emirates 777 aircraft boasts a multi-million dollar upgrade that includes newly-designed seats and upgraded inflight entertainment systems in all cabins.
Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said:
ย โThe inflight experience is the heart of our brand and service proposition. The new 777 interiors that we are unveiling today is part of Emiratesโ ongoing investment to continually raise the bar and exceed our customersโ expectations. Aside from our new fully enclosed private suites, Business Class features our latest fully-flat leather seats with personal minibars, Economy Class seats have adjustable full leather headrests, and the inflight entertainment system has been upgraded for all cabin classes. Throughout the aircraft, our customers will see modern and airy cabins, with painstaking attention to detail evident in design touches such as the textured wall and ceiling panels, lighting features, and more.โ
On the airlineโs new First Class product, Sir Tim said:
โEmirates pioneered the First Class private suite concept back in 2003, and today itโs the industry benchmark when it comes to first class travel. Over the years we have continually improved on our private suites, adding thoughtful refinements and features. We are very excited about our new fully-enclosed suite which is a real game-changer in terms of privacy, comfort, and thoughtful luxury. This is the first time an Emirates product has been so influenced by another luxury brand, but it is a natural fit as both Emirates and Mercedes-Benz have the same unwavering commitment to fine detail, uncompromising quality, and a drive to push the boundaries.โ
Emiratesโ latest First Class product gives a nod to the design philosophy of the Mercedes-Benz S- Class, bringing together two global brands renowned for innovation, luxury, and comfort. The collaboration inspired several design details in the private suite including the soft leather seating, high-tech control panels, and mood lighting.
Extending that trademark inflight experience to exclusive on-ground services, Emirates and Mercedes-Benz have extended their partnership to provide a fleet of the S-Class cars as part of its complimentary Chauffeur-drive service. Emirates First Class passengers arriving or departing in the UAE will enjoy a seamless journey from aircraft to home, and vice versa, in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class car.
The latest Emirates 777 aircraft with these new features will enter commercial service on 1 December, making its debut on flights to Geneva and Brussels.
Changing the game in First Class โ key product features
The new Emirates 777 First Class cabin interior uses a whole new colour palette of soft greys, cream and champagne, conveying a contemporary, open and airy feel, with quiet and timeless luxury.
Created in collaboration with Boeing, Rockwell Collins interior systems, Panasonic, Jacques Pierre Jean Design studio and Seattle-based design firm Teague, each fully enclosed private suite has a floor to ceiling sliding door, and combines smart technologies and intelligent design to deliver function, as well as luxury and comfort.
The soft leather seat reclines into a fully flat bed and can be placed in a โzero-gravityโ position inspired by NASA technology, giving a feeling of relaxation and weightlessness. The roomy suites also have ample space for passengers to change in the privacy of their suites even after the bed has been made.
To ensure all First Class customers have a view, Emirates is introducing the industryโs first virtual windows for suites located in the middle aisle. These virtual windows project the view from outside the aircraft using real time camera technology. In the other suites, binoculars are available for customers who want to explore the sky outside their windows.
Passengers can easily communicate with the cabin crew, or request for room service using the video call function. The suites also come with a service window where customers can be served drinks and canapes undisturbed.
Emirates has retained and updated the most popular features of its private suites such as: the personal mini bar for drinks and snacks within each suite; and wireless controls to adjust seating positions, as well as to navigate Emiratesโ award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice.
Customers can view over 2,500 channels of on-demand entertainment on a 32-inch Full HD LCD TV screen, or project content from their own devices. The viewing experience is now enhanced with brand new Bowers & Wilkins Active Noise Cancelling E1 headphones created exclusively for Emirates. These headphones were designed by award-winning audio brand Bowers & Wilkins to ensure the sound was optimised for the First Class cabin environment.
Each suite is fitted with an inspiration kit which features a luxury Byredo skincare collection found only on Emirates, Hydra Active moisturising pyjamas, and Bulgari amenity kits.
There is ample storage within the suite including a cleverly designed overhead compartment, and a full length cupboard for hanging clothes.
As with any Emirates flight today, First Class customers can enjoy dine on demand service, with a selection of the finest cuisine prepared by gourmet chefs, accompanied by some of the most exclusive wines, champagnes and spirits in the world. They will be well looked after by Emiratesโ international cabin crew representing over 135 nationalities.
Upgrades across all cabin classes
The entire Emirates 777 aircraft sports a refreshed interior with a light and modern colour scheme, classy textured panels, as well as new lighting and design accents.
An artistic motif representing the Ghaf (prosopis cineraria) tree, is used as a design highlight throughout the aircraft. An indigenous evergreen plant, the Ghaf is a considered the national tree of the United Arab Emirates, and has deep cultural and ecological significance.
The design and shape of Emiratesโ Business Class seat onboard the new 777 was also inspired by the interior of a modern sports car, with a diamond stitch pattern on the full leather cover, ergonomically designed headrest, and a sleek overall look and feel.
The seat has a pitch of 72 inches and moves into a fully-flat sleeping position. It also has touchscreen controls for the seat and inflight entertainment system, several personal lighting options, privacy panels between seats, a shoe stowage area, footrest, and a personal mini-bar.
The Economy Class cabin now features a colour palette of soft greys and blues. The ergonomically designed seats come with full leather headrests that have flexible side panels and can also be adjusted vertically for optimum support.
All cabin classes will be equipped with a new generation of Emiratesโ award-winning ice inflight entertainment system offering improved and superior image quality. Each in-seat screen will feature ultra-wide viewing angles, a capacitive touch screen, LED backlight and full HD display.
Emirates and the Boeing 777
Emirates is the largest operator of the Boeing 777 aircraft, one of the most popular and advanced wide-bodied aircraft in commercial operation today. The airline has 165 Boeing 777s in its fleet, and a further 164 on firm order, including 150 of the next generation Boeing 777x aircraft. Today, Emirates operates the Boeing 777 to over 140 cities on six continents from its hub in Dubai.
Update: Emirates announced on December 2, 2017:
Emiratesโ new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fitted with its game changing fully enclosed private suites in First Class, as well as refreshed Business and Economy Class cabins, entered service on December 1, 2017, to the delight of customers.
The new Emirates cabins were unveiled for the first time at the Dubai Airshow last month, to positive acclaim from visitors at the show who had the opportunity to view the product. It also generated international excitement as consumers around the world viewed the first images, videos, and reviews of Emiratesโ latest inflight offering.
Following its Dubai Airshow debut, Emiratesโ first 777-300ER with the new cabin products has now begun operating on the Dubai to Brussels route. The first flight EK183 landed in Brussels yesterday (1 December) with 288 passengers onboard, including a full First Class cabin.
While on the ground at Brussels airport yesterday, Emirates organised special guided tours to provide its trade and airport partners, VIP guests, and members of the media with a first-hand look at the innovative amenities that the airline provides in all three cabins for its customers.
Watch a cabin tour of key product features here
Emirates has a track record of successful innovations that have raised the bar for the industry in terms of inflight customer experience since its launch in 1985. Its fleet of Boeing 777 and Airbus A380s boasts unparalleled entertainment on demand in all classes with its award-winningย iceย system, and inflight connectivity through in-seat text, email and telephone services, as well as mobile and wi-fi services.
Emirates is the worldโs largest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft, flying 166ย of these modern and efficient wide-body aircraft to six continents from its hub in Dubai.
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Emirates welcomes the 100th Airbus A380 to its fleet
Emirates on November 3, 2017 celebrated the milestone delivery of its 100th Airbus A380 aircraft (A6-EUV) at a special ceremony with Airbus at the manufacturerโs delivery centre in Hamburg.
The airline continued;
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Emiratesโ Chairman and Chief Executive officiated the ceremony. He was joined at the event by Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline; Tom Enders, Airbus Chief Executive Officer; Dominic Horwood, Rolls-Royce, Director – Customer and Services; His Excellency Ali Al Ahmed, UAE Ambassador to Germany and Frank Horch, Senator for Economy, Transport and Innovation of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
Sheikh Ahmed said: โThis is a tremendous moment for Emirates, for Airbus and for our many partners involved in the A380 programme. There is no doubt that the A380 has had a big positive impact on aerospace manufacturing and the broader aviation industry, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and stimulating innovation and new product development in many related areas such as ground handling, catering, airport facilities and cabin products, to name a few.
โImportantly, the A380 also brought the flying experience for our customers to the next level. The aircraft itself is a showpiece of engineering. It is the worldโs largest commercial passenger jet but it is quiet and efficient and at Emirates weโve utilised the onboard real estate to redefine the thinking around inflight products and experience. Our flight crew love to fly it and our customers love to fly in it.
โFor Emirates, the A380 has been a success. Weโve been able to utilise it at slot-constrained airports, as well as at regional and โsecondaryโ airports where we have grown passenger demand. Each time we deploy an A380 onto a route, it typically stimulates further traffic and demand as travellers are attracted by our flagship A380 experience. We remain committed to the programme and will work closely with Airbus and our partners to continually enhance our A380 product as we look ahead to receiving our remaining 42 aircraft on order.โ
โWe are extremely proud of our long-standing relationship with Emirates โ a partnership that has been integral to the A380 programme,โ said Tom Enders. โIt is a source of immense satisfaction for everyone at Airbus that such a visionary airline has believed in the A380 from the beginning and chosen it as its flagship and the backbone of its operations. And, of course, it is always exciting to hear positive feedback from our customers and passengers about the aircraft, while associating itย with Dubaiโs success as the worldโs most dynamic air transport hub.โ
Dominic Horwood said: โWe would like to congratulate Emirates on this momentous occasion. We are very proud to be powering their 100th Airbus A380 and look forward to building on our strong relationship in years to come.โ
Powered by Rolls-Royce engines, Emiratesโ 100th A380 is configured in three cabin classes, with 14 private suites in First class, 76 seats in Business and 426 seats in Economy. ย It also features the airlineโs newly revamped Onboard Lounge. It will be on display at the upcoming Dubai Air Show and will enter service afterwards.
Above Copyright Photo:ย Emirates Airline Airbus A380-842 A6-EUV (msn 239) (Year of Zayed 2018 – 100th A380) LGW (Antony J. Best). Image: 940339.
Year of Zayed tribute
Adding to the celebrations, Emirates unveiled a special tribute to the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding father of the United Arab Emirates, with bespoke livery for its 100th A380.
Sheikh Ahmed said: โ2018 is the โYear of Zayedโ, marking 100 years since the birth of our countryโs founding father and celebrating his legacy. Emirates is proud to launch our tribute to the man who has been instrumental to the UAEโs formation and development, at the milestone delivery of our 100th A380.โ
“Just as the A380 has broken new ground in so many regards, Sheikh Zayed was a true pioneer and visionary. Bringing his message of inspiration, daring and determination to the world as we fly the A380 around the globe, is an apt way to celebrate his amazing legacy.”
Positive impact aerospace and aviation
The Emirates A380 programme creates and supports manufacturing jobs across the global aircraft manufacturing supply chain. Airbus estimates that Emiratesโ A380 orders alone support 41,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs in Europe, including some 14,500 in Germany alone. These are high-skilled jobs and impact a high-value supply chain, creating a significant multiplier effect in the countries where Airbus has aircraft production facilities. The estimated Europe-wide impact of Emiratesโ A380 investment amounts to โฌ3.4 billion in GDP in 2013/14. In Germany and France the GDP impact is โฌ1.2 billion for each country.*
In April 2015, Emirates signed an historic โฌ8.7 billion deal with Rolls-Royce for Trent 900 engines and a long-term total care package. The engines will power 50 Airbus A380s which began entering service in 2016. The deal, which is the largest ever for Rolls-Royce and one of the largest ever export orders for a UK-based company, was part of Emiratesโ ongoing investment in the UK and Europe.
Setting new standards for flying experience
The introduction of Emiratesโ first A380 in 2008 set new standards for customer experience, introducing many industry firsts including the Onboard Lounge, Shower Spas, free wi-fi and advanced inflight entertainment systems in all classes, as well as many other features.
Emirates continually invests to enhance its A380 product, ensuring its customers enjoy the best possible experience. To date over 85 million passengers have flown on the Emirates A380.
The airline has implemented countless improvements on board its A380 fleet since 2008, ranging from subtle updates such as the addition of in-seat USB ports and introduction of electric window blinds, to more major upgrades such as relocating overhead luggage bins to provide a more spacious cabin, installing bigger and better inflight entertainment systems and a newly revamped Onboard Lounge.
Emiratesโ A380 operations
Emirates is the worldโs largest operator of the A380 aircraft, flying this iconic double-decked jet to 48 cities on six continents on scheduled services. Including one-off flights, special commemorative services, test flights and other operational deployments, over 70 airports to date have welcomed the Emirates A380.
The airline receives on average 11 A380 deliveries per year, starting from its first aircraft in August 2008. In its 2016/17 financial year, Emirates received a record 19 new A380 aircraft.
In Dubai, Emirates operates the worldโs largest A380 hub with an entire purpose-built concourse dedicated to A380 operations. The US$ 3.3 billion facility was an investment to offer travellers unprecedented convenience and comfort with direct boarding to the A380 aircraft from the First and Business class lounges and amenities including duty free shops, spas, an array of dining options and more.
Emirates has 1,500 flight deck crew and over 23,000 cabin crew specially trained to operate its A380 fleet.
Photo: Emirates.ย Emirates unveiled a special tribute to the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding father of the United Arab Emirates – bespoke livery on its 100th A380.
From left to right: HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Airline & Group, Tom Enders, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus , Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline , Fabrice Brรฉgier, Chief Operating Officer of Airbus and President Commercial Aircraft , HE Ali Al Ahmed, UAE Ambassador to Germany , Adel Al Redha, Emirates Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and John Leahy, Chief Commercial Officer โ Customers โ Commercial Aircraft of Airbus.
Emirates to receive its 100th Airbus A380 aircraft in November
Emirates, the worldโs largest Airbus A380 operator, is set to receive its milestone 100th A380 aircraft on November 3, 2017.
Over 80 million passengers have flown on the superjumbo in the nine years since it first joined Emiratesโ modern fleet. Today, Emirates flies the A380 to over 45 destinations spanning Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. Everywhere it operates, the Emirates A380 attracts consumer demand for its industry-leading inflight experience in all cabin classes, and is welcomed by local economies as a contributor to tourism and visitor growth.
Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: โThe A380 has been, and continues to be hugely popular amongst our customers, many of whom deliberately plan their travel so that they can fly on it. But we donโt rest on our laurels and continually invest to enhance our product so as to continue offering our customers the best possible inflight experience.
โOur frequent flyers will have noticed countless improvements onboard over the years, ranging from minor updates such as the addition of in-seat USB and HDMI ports, to bigger cabin overhauls where for instance we relocated the central overhead luggage bins to create more spacious cabin on the upper deck, and when we introduced bigger and better inflight entertainment systems, amongst many other initiatives.โ
On the ground, Emirates had also worked closely with stakeholders to launch and operate an A380-dedicated airport concourse with 20 gates offering direct boarding from the airport lounge, and one of the worldโs most advanced engineering centres which include six heavy maintenance hangars, paint shops, and the capability to completely overhaul an A380.
Industry firsts and continual innovation
With its inaugural A380 flight in 2008, Emirates introduced several industry firsts including its iconic A380 Onboard Lounge and First Class Shower spa.
The Onboard Lounge remains one of the biggest draws of the aircraft to date, and is arguably the most popular spot at 40,000 feet. It has gone through several successive and subtle changes, such as the introduction of electric window blinds, before a brand new look was unveiled last July.
The latest makeover of the Onboard Lounge, inspired by private yacht cabins, features a more intimate and social area for up to 26 guests. The lounge now has a larger 55 inch LCD screen with surround sound speakers giving customers the latest flight information, or live TV broadcasts of the latest news or sports updates.
The First Class Shower spa, catering exclusively for the 14 passengers travelling in Emiratesโ First Class private suites, continue to generate as much curiosity and buzz today as when first launched. Since Emirates blazed a trial for the ultimate shower spa experience, only one other commercial airline has offered a similar facility in the sky. With nearly 100 A380s in its fleet, safe to say that if anyone is taking a shower at 40,000 feet, chances are itโs on an Emirates A380.
With its many thoughtful design touches including a heated floor, shower timer, a hairdryer, and spa products, Emiratesโ Onboard Shower spa remains the standard to beat for inflight luxury. ย The airline recently introduced sustainable VOYA spa products and exclusively-developed moisturizing pyjamas, allowing customers to arrive at their destination refreshed.
Inflight entertainment
Emiratesโ award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, has also been constantly updated to provide customers with more choices for on demand entertainment as well as improvements to the viewing experience. While the equipment has become smaller, media capacity has only expanded and Emirates now provides more than double the entertainment with 2,500 channels of blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music and documentaries.
In addition to choice, Emirates has invested close to US $1 billion on hardware to provide a more comfortable viewing experience. Over the years, in-seat screens have been made larger across all classes. The screen in First Class has increased from 27 inches to 32 inches, the screens in Business Class from 17 inches to 20 inches, while screens on the latest A380 aircraft offer the industryโs largest in Economy at 13.3 inches from its original 10 inch screen. Little touches have also been introduced including USB ports for power and data in each seat as well as HDMI ports in premium classes to connect personal devices to the ice screen.
The entire A380 fleet has also been fitted with connectivity to allow for free 20mb of Wi-Fi throughout the cabin. In June last year, the first A380 was fitted with Live TV allowing passengers to watch news and sports matches live on board.
Extended capabilityย
Since 2008, the efficient A380 aircraft has been further enhanced to operate even longer routes. This had enabled Emirates to add more destinations to its A380 network, including the worldโs longest A380 flight – a nonstop Dubai-Auckland service introduced in March 2016.
Today, the Emirates A380 reaches all ends of the globe with non-stop flights to Sao Paulo, Casablanca, Copenhagen, Tokyo and Los Angeles from Dubai.
Emirates also introduced the worldโs first 2-class configured A380 in November 2015, making it the highest-capacity plane in the world with 615 seats on board while retaining the airlineโs signature inflight services and comfort.
Photo: Emirates.
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