Emirates Airlines has announced the introduction of its first long-range Airbus A350-900 to replace the Boeing 777-200LR for flights to Adelaide, Australia. The change is set to begin on December 1st and is part of Emirates' strategic plan to expand its fleet and services. This move follows the delivery of four A350-900 aircraft to the airline, with the latest being received in March 2024.
Looking ahead, Emirates anticipates acquiring five A350-900 ultra-long-range aircraft by the end of 2025. These new aircraft will feature 32 business class lie-flat seats, 28 premium economy seats, and 238 economy class seats. Tim Clark, the President of Emirates, highlighted the importance of the A350, stating: “We are excited about the A350 for many reasons. The ability to unlock our new network growth, the ability to offer our latest products like premium economy to even more customers around the world, and the opportunity to expand Dubai’s air connectivity and contribute to the city’s economic strategy.”
Currently, Emirates operates 49 weekly flights to six destinations using its A350-900 fleet. The network is set to expand in June to include weekly flights to four additional destinations. Starting in December, Emirates will introduce A350-900 services to a wider range of airports, including Baghdad, Dammam, Ho Chi Minh City, and others, bringing the total weekly departures to 130.