Following a plethora of Airbus A380 route additions to the Emirates Airline network in 2012, there is just one month to go before the world’s fastest growing airline welcomes the arrival of the daily Emirates A380 service into Melbourne from Dubai and onto Auckland, further demonstrating its commitment to the Australian market and allowing local travellers more opportunities to fly the state-of-the-art aircraft.
From October 2, 2012, the new Emirates A380 service will allow travellers to experience the aircraft for the first time on short haul flights across the Tasman to Auckland, as well as enjoy a seamless A380 experience from Auckland/Melbourne to Dubai, and onwards to 18 Emirates A380 destinations, including London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Manchester, Paris, and Rome.
“The introduction of the state-of-the-art Emirates A380 to Melbourne offers travellers the chance to experience this revolutionary aircraft and the best service in the sky,” said Emirates’ Vice President Australasia, Barry Brown.
“This is the second A380 to service Australia and New Zealand, following the launch of the Dubai-Sydney-Auckland route in 2009, further signifying our investment and commitment to Australia,” he said.
The A380 aircraft will service the existing direct Dubai-Melbourne-Auckland route (EK406/407) with Emirates also continuing its two other daily services to Melbourne – EK408/409 via Kuala Lumpur and EK404/405 via Singapore.
“The Melbourne/Auckland route is a popular choice amongst business and leisure travelers,” Brown said. “The A380 will be instrumental in helping Emirates meet its growing passenger demand on this route, using one of the most efficient and quiet aircraft ever produced.
“It will give us some of the lowest seat costs in the industry, and will allow us to offer more passenger comfort and amenities onboard,” he added.
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. On the main deck there are 399 comfortable contoured seats in Economy Class, spread across four separate cabins.
First Class passengers can relax in flat-bed, massage-equipped Private Suites and refresh by enjoying one of the onboard Shower Spas. Complete with all the luxuries you would normally expect in a 5-star hotel, from heated flooring and leather seating to temperature control and special little touches, such as fresh exotic flowers, Emirates’ Shower Spa is an experience unmatched by other commercial airlines.
Business Class passengers can enjoy a new generation of intelligent seating designed to ensure all 76 flat-bed seats have aisle access. The upper deck also features an onboard lounge for First and Business Class passengers, which provides the opportunity for passengers to stretch out, socialise and enjoy a gourmet selection of on-demand beverages and canapés.
Passengers in Economy will appreciate the straight walls throughout the cabin that lend to a more spacious ambience, enhanced by generous seats and wider aisles.
Emirates is the largest A380 operator in the world and has now carried more than 10 million passengers flying more than 150 million kilometres since the double decker was introduced to its fleet in August 2008. The airline’s A380 operations are supported by more than 3,000 dedicated cabin crew, and Emirates’ state-of-the-art facilities at Dubai International Airport will soon be augmented by the opening of the world’s first dedicated A380 terminal early next year.
The carrier’s 23 A380s now serve Amsterdam, Auckland, Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, London Heathrow, Manchester, Munich, New York JFK, Paris, Rome, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Toronto, Tokyo, with Melbourne set to launch on 2nd October and Moscow on 1st December.