News

Emirates to operate all-A380 nonstop Sydney flights

13 May 2013 by Alex McWhirter

Emirates will roster an A380 for its second daily non-stop Dubai-Sydney service from June 1.

It means that when Qantas’ daily A380 service on the same route is taken into consideration, both carriers will jointly operate non-stop three times a day with A380s.

The Emirates flights in question are EK414 and EK415 which are currently operated by a smaller capacity B777-300ER.

All told, Emirates says it will be adding an additional 1,890 seats per week to this important route.

Each of Emirates' long-haul A380s accommodates 14 passengers in first, 76 in business and 399 in economy class.

EK414 (which departs Dubai at 0215 and reaches Sydney at 2205 the same day) provides an excellent connection for passengers flying into Dubai from Europe. In the case of the UK they are especially good for travellers arriving from London Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester.

EK415 (which departs Sydney at 0600 and reaches Dubai at 1400 the same day) is one of the very few kangaroo route services which allow daytime travel all the way between Sydney and Europe. It offers a first rate connection for passengers continuing beyond Dubai to London Heathrow.

Passengers taking A380 flights throughout will transfer planes using Dubai’s new Concourse A which was specifically built for super jumbo services.

Readers will note that EK415 departs Sydney at the unfashionably early hour (for long-haul flights) of 0600. Even for Sydneysiders it means a really early start.

Why 0600? Well, Sydney airport has one of the world’s strictest curfews so Emirates had little choice in the matter.

EK414 lands at 2205 so this flight cannot be reliably turned around before the curfew takes effect at 2300. It means the A380 must overnight at the airport.

Emirates did try to offer a late night departure from Sydney in the past. But it beached the airport curfew three times and was threatened with a fine of AUS$1 million dollars, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Both carriers hope their three daily A380 Sydney flights will give them a competitive edge on the fiercely competitive kangaroo route.

For more information visit emirates.com, qantas.co.uk.

Report by Alex McWhirter

Loading comments...

Search Flight

See a whole year of Reward Seat Availability on one page at SeatSpy.com

Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Be up-to-date
Magazine Subscription
To see our latest subscription offers for Business Traveller editions worldwide, click on the Subscribe & Save link below
Polls