Emirates is re-introducing the A380 superjumbo to its Dubai-New York JFK route on October 31.
The decision to reinstate the aircraft on one of Emirates’ double-daily JFK services comes just after the carrier reported a 8.1 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue for the Americas in 2009-10. Revenue for the Americas totaled US$1.091 billion, compared with $1.009 billion in the 2008-09 financial year. The increase was the highest across all of Emirates’ global markets.
Growth in the Americas helped steer the Emirates Group to a net profit of US$ 1.1 billion for the financial year – Emirates saying its performance was “an outstanding result in a year fraught with worldwide market instability and economic uncertainty”. A total of 27.5 million passengers flew with Emirates over the financial year, over 20 per cent more than in 2008-9.
“The United States is a very important market for Emirates and we are optimistic about the future growth of its business and leisure travel sectors. We promised to return the A380 to New York as soon as demand recovered and we have been true to our word,” says Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline.
“Against some of the toughest operating conditions ever faced, Emirates’ performance in the Americas has been hugely encouraging. This achievement reflects our success in maintaining our business-as-usual approach and remaining faithful to our strategy of product and service excellence. Our results also add to the growing evidence that the economic downturn is abating in the US,” says Clark.
Emirates is the largest customer for the A380, with a total of 58 on order, and is now operating the type to major airports throughout the world
“As we look to 2010-11 and beyond, Emirates will continue to invest in its products and services to build on the resurgent demand for air travel within the Americas,” Clark adds. “Our plans for the future also include adding new US cities to our four existing gateways: New York, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco.”
The airline’s expansion plans for the region will be boosted by a significant increase in capacity – the airline is scheduled to receive 11 new widebody aircraft in 2010, including Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s.
Emirates currently operates eight A380s, which serve London Heathrow, Toronto, Paris, Jeddah, Bangkok, Seoul, Sydney and Auckland. In March, the airline also announced the start of A380 services to Beijing on August 1.
The superjumbos offer an Onboard Lounge for First Class and Business Class passengers, with a wide range of drinks and canapés, as well as the space to socialize or simply relax. Additionally, the ‘ice’ entertainment system on Emirates’ A380s offers more than 1,000 channels of on-demand entertainment including 200 movies from around the world, 100 TV channels, more than 500 audio channels, 100 video games and news, sports and business headlines.
“Emirates has remained committed to increasing our network and service standards through a difficult period when many competitors were doing the opposite,” adds Clark. “We believe that with our seamless connection times, state-of-the-art terminal in Dubai and one of the youngest and most advanced fleets in the sky, Emirates offers customers in the Americas the most comfortable and convenient way to reach the Middle East and beyond.”
From October 31, Flight EK201 will be operated by an A380 departing Dubai (DXB) at 8:30 a.m. and arriving at New York (JFK) at 2:15 p.m the same day. EK202 departs JFK at 11:00 p.m., arriving at Dubai at 7:45 p.m. the following day. The daily A380 service will complement Emirates’ second daily flight, which is operated by a Boeing 777-300ER.
Emirates was the first carrier to order the A380 and has ordered more than any other airline, its orders for a total of 58 A380s representing 30 per cent of the total ordernbook for the superjumbo to date. IN addition to the eight it already has in service, Emirates is due to receive seven more A380s in 2010.
The airline operates most of its A380s in 489-seat configuration, the seat layout including 14 flat-bed First Class Private Suites with electrically operated doors, 76 fully-flat seats in Business Class (all with mini bars and aisle access) and 399 contoured seats in Economy — the economy seats installed in four cabins on the lower deck.
A personal satellite phone is fitted to each seat on the A380 which also carries a seat-back SMS and e-mail service, along with seat-to-seat calling and a “My USB” personal picture viewing facility.
Emirates has announced six new routes for 2010. They are Tokyo (launched March 28), Amsterdam (launched May 1), Prague (July 1), Baghdad (July 1), Madrid (August 1) and Dakar (September 1).
Related to this story:
- Singapore Airlines to Operate A380s to New York
- Korean Air Launches New York’s First A380 Service to Asia
- Virgin America and Emirates Agree to Interline
- Emirates and JetBlue to Interline at New York JFK
- Emirates Orders Another 32 A380s, Taking its Super-Jumbo Buy to 90
