Emirates announced today that it will operate its flagship A380 on services between Dubai and Guangzhou from October 21, the 67th National Day of People’s Republic of China.
Guangzhou will join more than 40 destinations on Emirates’ extensive global network served by its double-decker A380 aircraft, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, London, Paris, Sydney, Toronto, Auckland, Bangkok, and Seoul.
Since the route’s inauguration in 2008, Emirates has been flying a two-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on its daily flights between Guangzhou and Dubai, and the airline has seen steady growth for its service on the route. Once the A380 service commences, it will increase capacity by 15 per cent to meet the growing travel and trade demand from southern China to Dubai and beyond.
Emirates will deploy its three-class A380 on the Guangzhou route, offering a total of 491 seats, with 14 private suites in first class, 76 mini pods with lie-flat seats in business class and 401 spacious seats in economy. Flight EK362 will depart Dubai at 10:20am and arrive in Guangzhou at 22:05. The return flight, EK363, will depart Guangzhou at 12:15am and arrive in Dubai at 03:50*.
First class and business class customers can socialise or relax in the Onboard Lounge on the upper deck of the Emirates A380. Emirates EK362/363 also offers first class customers the exclusive service of the on-board shower spas during flights, which makes Emirates the only airline in the Guangzhou market offering this premium customer product on an A380.
Emirates said the latest move is part of its efforts to support China’s economic, trade and connectivity ambitions through Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. With its wide network across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and central Asia, Emirates serves 56 cities in 31 of the 65 countries identified as part of the initiative. The Emirates A380 service from Guangzhou will provide leisure travellers with ideal connectivity to popular destinations such as Prague and Warsaw. It also connects business travellers to cities such as Cairo, Kuwait, Doha, Amman, Al Medinah and Riyadh.
The A380 is the world’s largest commercial aircraft in service. Emirates is the world’s largest operator of A380s, with 81 currently in its fleet and a further 61 on order.
Guangzhou will be the third destination in Mainland China for Emirates to deploy its flagship aircraft, after Beijing and Shanghai. The carrier currently operates flights to five destinations in Mainland China: Beijing; Shanghai; Guangzhou; Yinchuan; and Zhengzhou.
business@thenational.ae
Follow The National's Business section on Twitter