Emirates to resume second daily flight to London Stansted

Emirates is ramping up its London Stansted operation by resuming its second daily service to Dubai from May 1, 2023, in response to strong demand.

The additional flight will operate using the airline's wide-body Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with its acclaimed 'Game Changer' First Class product.

The world's largest international airline began serving the airport in June 2018, initially with a daily flight, then a twice-daily service in March 2019. 

The route was suspended during the COVID pandemic but was reinstated in August 2022.

Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said: “The return of Emirates' second daily flight to Dubai is exciting news for passengers and a huge boost for London Stansted Airport, London and the East of England. The decision to have 14 weekly flights from Stansted is a demonstration of the airline's confidence in the demand for long-haul travel from the airport. Since the airline returned to the airport in the summer following the COVID pandemic, the route has been extremely popular, providing onward connections to locations all around the world."

A second daily flight to Stansted is also expected to boost trade and economic growth in the region. 

Popular inbound markets include Australia, UAE, India, South Africa, China, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Emirates passengers travelling from London Stansted will also have access to more destinations across the airline’s global network with convenient connection times. 

Several popular destinations for UK travellers are Brisbane, Melbourne, Male, Seychelles, Bali, Singapore, Colombo, Bangalore and Bangkok.

Richard Jewsbury, Divisional Vice President, Emirates UK, said: “Since we recommenced services to and from Stansted in August 2022, bookings have continued to surge from the London hub. It is fantastic to be scaling up operations even further this year offering passengers increased connectivity ahead of the popular summer holiday period. Stansted is a key hub for Emirates in the East and Southeast of the UK, and we look forward to welcoming even more passengers onboard.”

The airport recently announced the opening of a new double airbridge enhancing its capability to handle wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777 and the Airbus A380. 

Emirates became the first airline to use the new bridge, which enables passengers to board and disembark wide-bodied aircraft more quickly and comfortably.

Emirates will ramp up frequencies to Hong Kong with a daily non-stop service from its Dubai hub, starting from 29 March 2023

The Airbus A380 - still the luxurious backbone of the Emirates fleet

Emirates will ramp up frequencies to Hong Kong with a daily non-stop service from its Dubai hub, starting from 29 March 2023, adding to its existing daily flight from Dubai to Hong Kong via Bangkok and increasing the airline’s operations in the market up to 14 weekly flights. The resumed service will provide more capacity, choice and flexibility for travellers, as the airline continues to expand its global operations in line with sustained demand for international travel.

Operated by an Airbus A380 aircraft, Emirates’ flight EK380 will depart Dubai at 10:45hrs and arrive in Hong Kong at 22:00hrs. The return flight EK381 will depart from Hong Kong at 00:35hrs and arrive in Dubai at 05:00hrs. All times are local.

By bringing back its Dubai-Hong Kong flight EK380/EK381, Emirates is responding to the growing demand on the route and offering travellers the choice to fly non-stop or break their journeys in Bangkok.

Tickets can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via travel agents. Travellers are also encouraged to check the latest entry requirements.

As one of Emirates’ key Asian destinations, the airline reaffirms its commitment to supporting Hong Kong’s post-pandemic recovery, increasing capacity to serve travellers originating from Dubai or connecting in Dubai from other cities in its global network. Throughout the pandemic, Emirates has supported the market’s local community by maintaining the trade links between Hong Kong and other strategic markets within its network, successfully transporting imports and exports through its airfreight division, Emirates SkyCargo. 

Emirates resumes passenger services to Shanghai and Beijing

Shanghai will initially be served with two weekly flights starting from 20 January 2023

Beijing will be served with a daily non-stop flight starting from 15 March 2023

Emirates’ four weekly flights to Guangzhou will increase to a daily service from 1 February 2023

 

Emirates will ramp up its operations in China ahead of the New Lunar Year and in response to strong travel demand, boosting connectivity to its gateways; Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing as the country reopens its borders and eases its COVID-related entry restrictions.

Shanghai – service resumption from 20 January 2023 with twice weekly service, gradually increasing to daily service from 1 March

Emirates will resume passenger services to Shanghai starting with two weekly flights operated by an Airbus A380 aircraft from 20 January 2023, with EK302 departing from Dubai to Shanghai non-stop and EK303 making a short stop in Bangkok before returning to Dubai. This service will ramp up in frequency to four weekly flights operated by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from 02 February 2023.

During this period, Emirates’ flight EK302 will depart Dubai at 03:45hrs and arrive in Shanghai at 15:40hrs. The return flight EK303 will depart Shanghai at 17:40hrs and arrive in Bangkok at 21:45hrs before taking off from the Thai capital at 23:20hrs and arriving in Dubai at 03:20hrs the next day.*

Emirates will further boost its Dubai-Shanghai route from 1 March 2023 with a daily non-stop service. Emirates’ flight EK304 will depart Dubai at 09:15hrs and arrive in Shanghai at 21:05hrs. The return flight EK303 will leave Shanghai at 23:00hrs and arrive in Dubai at 05:20hrs the next day.*

Guangzhou – daily nonstop from 1 February 2023

Emirates currently operates a non-stop flight from Dubai to Guangzhou as EK362, and a return flight from Guangzhou to Dubai via Bangkok as EK363, four times a week.

Starting from 1 February 2023, the airline will increase services between Dubai and Guangzhou with EK362/EK363 operating as daily non-stop flights with the flagship Emirates A380. Emirates’ flight EK362 will leave Dubai at 10:45hrs and arrive in Guangzhou at 21:45hrs. The return flight EK363 will depart Guangzhou at 00:15hrs and arrive in Dubai at 05:15hrs.*

Beijing – service resumption from 15 March 2023

Operated by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, Emirates’ flight EK308/ EK307 will return to China’s capital city Beijing with a daily non-stop service from Dubai, starting from 15 March 2023. Emirates’ flight EK308 will leave Dubai at 10:50hrs and arrive in Beijing at 22:20hrs. The return flight EK307 will depart Beijing at 00:40hrs and arrive in Dubai at 05:00hrs.*

This will bring the airline’s operations in the market up to 21 weekly flights, providing increased choice and flexibility for both business and leisure travellers, and contributing to China’s tourism recovery.

Emirates doubles services to Brisbane

Emirates is continuing its restoration of operations in Australia with the introduction of an additional daily service to Brisbane. This comes as the airline proudly celebrates 20 years of serving Brisbane, one of Emirates’ four Australian gateways in its global network.

Starting 1 June 2023, Emirates will operate the second daily flight to and from Brisbane with a Boeing 777-300ER. Emirates flight EK 430 takes off from Dubai at 0230hrs, arriving in Brisbane at 2220hrs. The return flight, EK 431, departs Brisbane at 0250hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1100hrs local time. The airline currently serves Brisbane with a daily A380 flight.

The additional service means Emirates will be back to operating at pre-pandemic levels to Brisbane. The expansion will boost capacity through Brisbane by more than a quarter of a million seats per year both ways.

Barry Brown, Divisional Vice President Australasia at Emirates, said: “Our second daily service to Brisbane begins as we proudly celebrate 20 years of flying to the sunshine state. Not only will this service cater to the demand of Australians looking to travel overseas, but also welcome more travellers and tourists from Dubai and across our global network to enjoy Queensland, Australia’s tourism mecca.

“The additional service combined with our daily A380 to Brisbane means Emirates will offer almost 12,000 seats to and from Brisbane every week. This is another important milestone in the resumption of our Australian capacity and reaffirms our longstanding commitment to flying down under. We look forward to welcoming more Australians on board to enjoy the Emirates experience.”

“This is a huge vote of confidence in the Brisbane and Queensland market. It effectively doubles overnight the Emirates capacity between the two cities, delivering more seats for major Middle East and European markets. In terms of rebuilding what was lost by covid, this is a significant brick in the wall,” according to Gert-Jan de Graaff, CEO of Brisbane Airport Corporation. 

Emirates A380 service returning to Glasgow, Birmingham and Nice.

                                            Emirates has announced it will scale up its A380 operations with the iconic double-decker returning to Glasgow (26 March 2023), Nice (1 June 2023) and Birmingham (1 July 2023). The airline has also announced it will resume its second daily service to Stansted starting from 1 May 2023, utilising its wide-body Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fitted with its renowned ‘Game Changer' First Class product. With the return of the second daily flight to Stansted, Emirates will ramp up its operations to London with 11 daily flights, including six times daily to London Heathrow and three times daily to Gatwick. The airline continues to expand its global network and increase capacity in line with growing travel demand.

Emirates currently deploys its flagship A380 to 40 destinations worldwide. By the end of this summer, the popular aircraft will be serving almost 50 destinations, restoring close to 90% of the airline’s pre-pandemic A380 network.

Emirates is the largest operator of Airbus A380, with more than 80 aircraft currently in active service. 

The airline continues to rebuild its global network and ramp up operations to meet robust travel demand.

Emirates has also announced it will resume its second daily service to London Stansted in May 2023, boosting its London operations to 11 daily flights.

By the end of this summer, Emirates will have recovered close to 90% of its pre-pandemic A380 network.

The airline first launched A380 operations to Birmingham in 2016; Nice in 2017; and Glasgow in 2019.

For more information on flight schedules, visit emirates.com.

The first Emirates A380 to be completely refurbished under the airline’s US$ 2 billion retrofit program was deployed earlier this month on the Dubai-London Heathrow service featuring the Premium Economy cabin, and Emirates’ latest cabin interiors including lighter colour palettes in First and Business Class. The airline also plans to ramp up its four-class A380 operations featuring Premium Economy cabins to more than 35 destinations across 20 countries by March 2024.

Emirates expands its A380 network with the resumption of services to Birmingham, Glasgow and Nice

 Emirates has announced it will scale up its A380 operations with the iconic double-decker returning to Glasgow (26 March 2023), Nice (1 June 2023) and Birmingham (1 July 2023). The airline has also announced it will resume its second daily service to Stansted starting from 1 May 2023, utilising its wide-body Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fitted with its renowned ‘Game Changer' First Class product. With the return of the second daily flight to Stansted, Emirates will ramp up  its operations to London with 11 daily flights, including six times daily to London Heathrow and three times daily to Gatwick. The airline continues to expand its global network and increase capacity in line with growing travel demand.

Emirates currently deploys its flagship A380 to 40 destinations worldwide. By the end of this summer, the popular aircraft will be serving almost 50 destinations, restoring close to 90% of the airline’s pre-pandemic A380 network.

Emirates is the largest operator of Airbus A380, with more than 80 aircraft currently in active service. 

The airline continues to rebuild its global network and ramp up operations to meet robust travel demand.

Emirates has also announced it will resume its second daily service to London Stansted in May 2023, boosting its London operations to 11 daily flights.

By the end of this summer, Emirates will have recovered close to 90% of its pre-pandemic A380 network.

The airline first launched A380 operations to Birmingham in 2016; Nice in 2017; and Glasgow in 2019.

For more information on flight schedules, visit emirates.com.

The first Emirates A380 to be completely refurbished under the airline’s US$ 2 billion retrofit program was deployed earlier this month on the Dubai-London Heathrow service featuring the Premium Economy cabin, and Emirates’ latest cabin interiors including lighter colour palettes in First and Business Class. The airline also plans to ramp up its four-class A380 operations featuring Premium Economy cabins to more than 35 destinations across 20 countries by March 2024.

The Emirates A380 is loved by customers for its spacious and comfortable cabins, quietness, and unique on-board features such as the Onboard Lounge and First Class Shower Spa. Customers can also enjoy award-winning inflight entertainment on ice with more than 5,000 channels of on-demand entertainment via the industry’s largest screens across all cabins.

Emirates invests in high-speed inflight broadband onboard 50 new A350 aircraft

Emirates will offer passengers yet another opportunity to ‘fly better’, with new high-speed, inflight broadband powered by Inmarsat’s GX Aviation, onboard 50 new Airbus A350 aircraft - scheduled to enter service in 2024. The new agreement will significantly improve the passenger experience with enhanced connectivity and greater global coverage, even on flights over the Arctic.

The Airbus A350s will be the first Emirates aircraft to take advantage of Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) satellite network, which powers the world’s first and only globally available broadband network, ensuring passengers can enjoy uninterrupted global connectivity, no matter their destination, including the North Pole. The advanced high-speed capabilities of the broadband will enable Emirates passengers to stay connected with family and friends, browse the internet, and enjoy social media, all from the comfort of their seat.  

The GX network that will power the Emirates inflight broadband currently consists of five Ka-band satellites and will be further enhanced with the addition of seven more satellite payloads as part of Inmarsat's fully funded technology roadmap. This includes two Inmarsat-6s, the most sophisticated commercial communications satellites ever built, both of which are scheduled to enter service in 2023. These will be followed by three additional satellites in geostationary orbit – adding speed, capacity, and resilience – and two in highly elliptical orbit, to enable the world’s only commercial mobile broadband service for aircraft flying in higher elevations and across the Arctic, such as routes between the Middle East and North America.

Emirates expands Asian network with Haneda resumption

Emirates will resume its services to Tokyo-Haneda starting from 2 April 2023, building back its Japanese network and providing even more choice and flexibility for travellers to one of the region’s top economies and destinations.

Operated by one of Emirates’ latest Boeing 777 “Game Changer” aircraft, flight EK312 will depart Dubai at 07:50hrs, and arrive in Haneda at 22:35hrs. The return flight EK313 will depart Haneda at 00:05hrs, and arrive in Dubai at 06:20hrs. All times are local.*

The resumption underscores Emirates’ continued support to Japan’s post-pandemic travel and tourism revival, serving the surging demand for international travel and increasing inbound traffic from key markets across its global network. Emirates’ return to Haneda will further boost the airline’s operations in the market, alongside its daily A380 service to Tokyo-Narita and a daily Boeing 777 service to Osaka.

Since the route’s launch in 2013, and until the pandemic hit, Haneda has always been one of the key points on Emirates’ network for trade and tourism. The airline remains committed to supporting Japan’s accelerated growth and recovery and has recently celebrated 20 milestone years of operations to Osaka – the country’ second largest metropolitan city after Tokyo. Emirates also offers passengers access to 26 additional domestic cities in Japan and 10 regional points via Tokyo and Osaka, through its codeshare partnership with Japan Airlines.

Emirates Flight Training Academy inducts 53 new pilots into the aviation industry

As the aviation world grapples with pilot shortages, Emirates Flight Training Academy’s (EFTA) third graduation ceremony held earlier today welcomed 53 new pilots trained at their world-class facility into the industry.

With the latest ceremony, EFTA celebrated crossing three major milestones, including graduating –

1) International cadets for the first time since the academy opened its doors for non-Emirati cadets in late 2019

2) The largest cohort – more than 50 cadets and double that of previous events

3) More than 100 cadets since its first graduation in 2020.

At the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group congratulated and awarded certificates to the cadet graduates. Emirates’ executive management team in attendance included: Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, Adel Al Redha, Chief Operating Officer; Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer and Ali Al Soori, Executive Vice President Chairman's Office & Facilities/Projects Management.

EFTA also hosted senior leaders from across the UAE aviation community including His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Ahli, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA); His Excellency Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC);  Tahnoon Saif, Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub; Major General Ali Atiq Bin Lahej, Director of the General Department of Airports Security at Dubai Police, and a delegation from the UAE Armed Forces.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed said: “Years ago, we realised there would be a huge demand for trained pilots to support commercial aviation’s needs, and as a global airline and an industry leader, we felt compelled to act. Today’s graduation ceremony marks the achievement of our long-term vision for establishing the state-of-the-art Emirates Flight Training Academy to welcome and nurture young talent not just locally, but globally. Our next generation of highly skilled, well-trained cadets is a demonstration of the academy’s contribution to the aviation industry. We’re incredibly proud of our graduates and our team at EFTA.”

Luka Modrić, Vinícius Júnior and Toni Kroos wonder: to fly or to fly better with Emirates?

Emirates and Real Madrid are looking to capture the attention of football fans with the launch of two ads to attract customers to travel this winter across the airline’s network of more than 130 destinations including Dubai.

The first one features Real Madrid stars Luka Modrić, Vinícius Júnior and Toni Kroos passing the ball around the field until it reaches one of Emirates' most popular holiday destinations: the Maldives. And they ask themselves, to fly or to fly better? 

The second ad, starring the same players, reflects the importance of making good decisions: from which shirt to wear to cheer on one’s favourite team, staying to watch a game alone at home or with friends, to how to take a penalty or where to go on vacation.

The ads will air in December in Spain, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Indonesia on various social media platforms. 

Emirates offers a range of winter breaks for its customers; whether a beach or city break in Dubai, a cultural getaway in Thailand and Bali or even a relaxing island escape in the Maldives or Mauritius, Emirates network will connect customers to the seasonal sunshine.

Since 2011, Emirates has been the global sponsor of Real Madrid, bringing together two of the most recognized brands in the world of aviation and soccer. As the world's largest international airline, Emirates continues to connect Real Madrid with fans and spectators from all corners of the globe through various events that create moments of inspiration, fun and joy.

Football is a truly global sport that has always played a prominent role in Emirates' sponsorship portfolio. The "fly better" brand message is showcased on leading European and international clubs, including AC Milan, SL Benfica, Olympique Lyonnais and Arsenal. In addition to soccer, Emirates also has a strong presence in other major sports such as tennis, golf, rugby and horse racing.

Aeroplan and Skywards members can now earn and redeem Miles and Points on all flights operated by Air Canada and Emirates.........

Aeroplan and Skywards members can now earn and redeem Miles and Points on all flights operated by Air Canada and Emirates, respectively

Reciprocal airport lounge benefits for top-tier loyalty members coming soon to Dubai and Toronto

The carriers recently launched a codeshare partnership providing customers with seamless connectivity to 46 destinations* across three continents

Air Canada and Emirates have expanded their partnership to offer frequent flyer members joint loyalty programme benefits. Aeroplan Members will also benefit from earning and redeeming points on all flights operated by Emirates — with access to more than 130 destinations across six continents — via the airline's home and hub, Dubai. Emirates Skywards members can now earn and redeem miles on all flights operated by Air Canada, accessing a network of more than 220 destinations worldwide.

The agreement was signed yesterday by Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, and Mark Youssef Nasr, Senior Vice President, Product, Marketing, e-Commerce, Air Canada and President, Aeroplan, at the Emirates Group headquarters in Dubai.

Mark Youssef Nasr, Senior Vice President, Product, Marketing, e-Commerce, Air Canada and President, Aeroplan commented: "The two most recognized loyalty programs in their respective regions, provided by the two most recognized airlines in their respective regions, are coming together to offer something truly great. Whether it's connecting friends and family from Canada's rich immigrant diaspora or it's helping travellers explore some of the world's most exciting destinations, there's something for everyone. We're proud to partner with Emirates and Skywards as Aeroplan continues to deliver on its member promise: travel more and travel better."

Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, commented: "We're very pleased to be enhancing our partnership with Air Canada and officially kicking off our joint loyalty program offering. Together, close to 40 million frequent flyer members will be able to earn and redeem Miles across a joint network of more than 350 destinations and enjoy selected benefits such as lounge access. We look forward to opening new horizons for our loyal members and to also welcoming Aeroplan customers on-board Emirates with our award-winning products and exceptional services."

More travel choices, more Miles earned

The new agreement will enable Emirates Skywards members to earn Miles on all eligible Air Canada flights. Skywards members will also be able to redeem Miles for reward tickets across Air Canada's network. Flight rewards will start from 8,000 Miles for a one-way reward ticket in Economy Class and 16,000 Miles for a one-way reward ticket in Business Class. For more details, visit emirates.com.

Aeroplan members will be able to earn Aeroplan Points on all eligible Emirates operated flights based on the fare type purchased, as well as redeem Aeroplan Points on Emirates flights. For more information visit aircanada.com.

Aeroplan members will be able redeem Points for flights on Emirates Economy Class and Business Class, starting at 15,000 Points one-way with no carrier surcharges, as well as the ability to combine with Aeroplan's extensive network of airline partners on a single ticket to create countless reward possibilities. The ability to redeem Aeroplan points for flights in Emirates First Class will be introduced in early 2023.

Premium lounge access

Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members travelling in Economy Class with Air Canada or Emirates will also enjoy complimentary access to Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson along with one guest.

In Dubai, Aeroplan Elite 50K, 75K and Super Elite members travelling in Economy Class with Emirates will enjoy complimentary access to the Emirates Business Class Lounge along with one guest. This benefit will also extend to departing Air Canada flights later in 2023 when Air Canada relocates to Terminal 3 and, until then, eligible Aeroplan Elite members will continue to have access to lounges in Terminal 1.

Access to North America, Asia, Middle East, and Africa

The carriers activated their codeshare partnership earlier this year providing customers with seamless connectivity across North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Emirates customers can now book flights to/from Canadian points beyond Toronto, including Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver.

Air Canada's customers also benefit from seamless access to Emirates' extensive network via Dubai, unlocking a significant number of destinations, including Colombo, Dhaka, Karachi and Lahore in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asian cities such as Bangkok, Hanoi, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore; Middle Eastern cities Jeddah and Muscat; as well as destinations in Africa, namely Addis Ababa and Dar Es Salaam.

Award-winning loyalty programs

Recognized for its industry-leading initiatives and innovative product offerings – Emirates Skywards was recently crowned "Program of the Year in Europe, Middle East and Africa" and "Best Customer Service" at the Frequent Traveller Awards 2021. The loyalty program was also recognized as "World's Leading Airline Rewards Programme" at the World Travel Awards 2022; and ranked top 10 Best Frequent Flyer Program by USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice 2022.

Since it's relaunch in November 2020, Air Canada Aeroplan continues to be recognized as one of the best airline loyalty programs in the Americas. Recent honours include Best Redemption Ability from the 2022 Freddie Awards and Best Earn & Redemption Ability from the 2021 Frequent Traveller Awards, as voted by its members.

Aeroplan and Emirates Skywards new loyalty programme partnership......

Aeroplan and Skywards members can now earn and redeem Miles and Points on all flights operated by Air Canada and Emirates, respectively

Reciprocal airport lounge benefits for top-tier loyalty members coming soon to Dubai and Toronto

The carriers recently launched a codeshare partnership providing customers with seamless connectivity to 46 destinations* across three continents

Air Canada and Emirates have expanded their partnership to offer frequent flyer members joint loyalty programme benefits. Aeroplan Members will also benefit from earning and redeeming points on all flights operated by Emirates — with access to more than 130 destinations across six continents — via the airline's home and hub, Dubai. Emirates Skywards members can now earn and redeem miles on all flights operated by Air Canada, accessing a network of more than 220 destinations worldwide.

The agreement was signed yesterday by Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, and Mark Youssef Nasr, Senior Vice President, Product, Marketing, e-Commerce, Air Canada and President, Aeroplan, at the Emirates Group headquarters in Dubai.

Mark Youssef Nasr, Senior Vice President, Product, Marketing, e-Commerce, Air Canada and President, Aeroplan commented: "The two most recognized loyalty programs in their respective regions, provided by the two most recognized airlines in their respective regions, are coming together to offer something truly great. Whether it's connecting friends and family from Canada's rich immigrant diaspora or it's helping travellers explore some of the world's most exciting destinations, there's something for everyone. We're proud to partner with Emirates and Skywards as Aeroplan continues to deliver on its member promise: travel more and travel better."

Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, commented: "We're very pleased to be enhancing our partnership with Air Canada and officially kicking off our joint loyalty program offering. Together, close to 40 million frequent flyer members will be able to earn and redeem Miles across a joint network of more than 350 destinations and enjoy selected benefits such as lounge access. We look forward to opening new horizons for our loyal members and to also welcoming Aeroplan customers on-board Emirates with our award-winning products and exceptional services."

More travel choices, more Miles earned

The new agreement will enable Emirates Skywards members to earn Miles on all eligible Air Canada flights. Skywards members will also be able to redeem Miles for reward tickets across Air Canada's network. Flight rewards will start from 8,000 Miles for a one-way reward ticket in Economy Class and 16,000 Miles for a one-way reward ticket in Business Class. For more details, visit emirates.com.

Aeroplan members will be able to earn Aeroplan Points on all eligible Emirates operated flights based on the fare type purchased, as well as redeem Aeroplan Points on Emirates flights. For more information visit aircanada.com.

Aeroplan members will be able redeem Points for flights on Emirates Economy Class and Business Class, starting at 15,000 Points one-way with no carrier surcharges, as well as the ability to combine with Aeroplan's extensive network of airline partners on a single ticket to create countless reward possibilities. The ability to redeem Aeroplan points for flights in Emirates First Class will be introduced in early 2023.

Premium lounge access

Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members travelling in Economy Class with Air Canada or Emirates will also enjoy complimentary access to Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson along with one guest.

In Dubai, Aeroplan Elite 50K, 75K and Super Elite members travelling in Economy Class with Emirates will enjoy complimentary access to the Emirates Business Class Lounge along with one guest. This benefit will also extend to departing Air Canada flights later in 2023 when Air Canada relocates to Terminal 3 and, until then, eligible Aeroplan Elite members will continue to have access to lounges in Terminal 1.

Access to North America, Asia, Middle East, and Africa

The carriers activated their codeshare partnership earlier this year providing customers with seamless connectivity across North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Emirates customers can now book flights to/from Canadian points beyond Toronto, including Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver.

Air Canada's customers also benefit from seamless access to Emirates' extensive network via Dubai, unlocking a significant number of destinations, including Colombo, Dhaka, Karachi and Lahore in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asian cities such as Bangkok, Hanoi, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore; Middle Eastern cities Jeddah and Muscat; as well as destinations in Africa, namely Addis Ababa and Dar Es Salaam.

Award-winning loyalty programs

Recognized for its industry-leading initiatives and innovative product offerings – Emirates Skywards was recently crowned "Program of the Year in Europe, Middle East and Africa" and "Best Customer Service" at the Frequent Traveller Awards 2021. The loyalty program was also recognized as "World's Leading Airline Rewards Programme" at the World Travel Awards 2022; and ranked top 10 Best Frequent Flyer Program by USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice 2022.

Since it's relaunch in November 2020, Air Canada Aeroplan continues to be recognized as one of the best airline loyalty programs in the Americas. Recent honours include Best Redemption Ability from the 2022 Freddie Awards and Best Earn & Redemption Ability from the 2021 Frequent Traveller Awards, as voted by its members.

Emirates makes UAE National Day.....

 

Celebrating the 51st UAE National Day on 2 December, Emirates is marking the occasion with a range of activities, from new design motifs and lighting schemes in its aircraft cabins, to traditional Arabic sweets served onboard and in the Emirates Lounges in Dubai, to an exclusive UAE commemoration watch for sale on EmiratesRED.

Marking the union of the seven emirates, UAE National Day is celebrated on 2 December and onboard Emirates - passengers in all classes departing Dubai will be given an Emirati-inspired sweet treat, Qahwa or coffee-flavoured milk chocolate in a giftbox adorned with Arabic calligraphy. Passengers visiting Emirates Lounges in Dubai can enjoy miniature date tarts laced with Arabic coffee cream, or a delicately whipped and creamy date mousse. Passengers can also be on the lookout as they board aircraft in Dubai and disembark at their destination, as colourful mood lighting representing the UAE flag illuminates the aircraft interior. In another subtle touch, Emirates’ multi-award-winning ice inflight entertainment system will bear the iconic Ghaf tree, which is emblematic of the UAE. The new artistic motif is also used as a design highlight throughout Emirates’ newest Boeing 777 and A380 aircraft interiors. The national Ghaf tree is a historic and cultural symbol of stability and peace in the UAE's desert environment.

UAE National Day | Seasonal Occasions | The Emirates Experience | Emirates

Marking the union of the seven emirates, UAE National Day is celebrated on 2 December and Dubai based Emirates is marking the day with a special range of activities onboard its planes......

 

Celebrating the 51st UAE National Day on 2 December, Emirates is marking the occasion with a range of activities, from new design motifs and lighting schemes in its aircraft cabins, to traditional Arabic sweets served onboard and in the Emirates Lounges in Dubai, to an exclusive UAE commemoration watch for sale on EmiratesRED.

Marking the union of the seven emirates, UAE National Day is celebrated on 2 December and onboard Emirates - passengers in all classes departing Dubai will be given an Emirati-inspired sweet treat, Qahwa or coffee-flavoured milk chocolate in a giftbox adorned with Arabic calligraphy. Passengers visiting Emirates Lounges in Dubai can enjoy miniature date tarts laced with Arabic coffee cream, or a delicately whipped and creamy date mousse. Passengers can also be on the lookout as they board aircraft in Dubai and disembark at their destination, as colourful mood lighting representing the UAE flag illuminates the aircraft interior. In another subtle touch, Emirates’ multi-award-winning ice inflight entertainment system will bear the iconic Ghaf tree, which is emblematic of the UAE. The new artistic motif is also used as a design highlight throughout Emirates’ newest Boeing 777 and A380 aircraft interiors. The national Ghaf tree is a historic and cultural symbol of stability and peace in the UAE's desert environment.

UAE National Day | Seasonal Occasions | The Emirates Experience | Emirates

Double daily direct flights to Colombo with Emirates from Dubai from 1st December

The Dubai-based Emirates will be adding an additional daily direct flight between Dubai and Colombo, starting from 1 December 2022, to cater to the seasonal increase in the demand for travel.

The additional service, operating as EK648/EK649, will increase the number of daily flights between the two cities to three, including two direct flights and one operating via the Maldivian capital, Male.

Emirates’ second daily flight will operate direct between Dubai and Colombo, except during 16 to 30 December, when the service from Dubai to Colombo will stop over in Male.

From 1 to 15 December and from 31 December to 26 March, EK648 will depart Dubai at 16:10hrs daily and arrive in Colombo at 21:55hrs, all times local. Flight EK648 will be routed via Male from 16th to 30th December, and will during that period, depart Dubai at 10.30hrs and arrive in Male at 14.45hrs. It will then depart from Male at 17.15hrs and arrive in Colombo at 19.15hrs.

Throughout the period from 1 December to 26 March, flight EK649 is scheduled to depart Colombo at 02:55hrs and arrive in Dubai at 05:55hrs. 

*All times are local.

Emirates operates its modern Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a three-class configuration on flights to Colombo, offering private suites in First Class, lie-flat seats in Business Class and spacious seats in Economy Class.  Travellers to and from Sri Lanka benefit from Emirates’ award-winning service and industry-leading products in the air and on the ground across all classes, with regionally-inspired dishes and complimentary beverages and the airline’s ice inflight entertainment system which offers up to 5,000 channels of on-demand entertainment in over 40 languages, including movies, TV shows, and an extensive musical library along with games, audiobooks and podcasts.

Emirates launched operations to Sri Lanka in 1986 and celebrated 36 years of operations to Colombo earlier this year. The airline signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau in 2022, reaffirming its commitment to Sri Lanka and outlining mutually beneficial initiatives that will help revive the country’s trade and tourism industry.

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Fresh ocean breezes and a taste of the exotic greet you in the capital of Sri Lanka at Radisson Hotel Colombo.

Sri Lanka's diverse and tropical capital is home to the Radisson Hotel Colombo. The city centre and oceanfront hotel is just 700 meters from Wellawatte Beach and an easy drive or tuk-tuk ride from the city's popular neighbourhoods. The hotel has 158 thoughtfully-designed rooms and offers a medley of flavours at its dining venues with Sri Lankan and International cuisine. Radisson Hotel Colombo also features comfortable meeting rooms, a fitness centre, and a stylish rooftop with a bar, lounge, and an infinity pool.

Check prices and availability here. 

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Emirates Expands its Cargo Fleet With Five Boeing 777 Freighters

Photo Boeing

Boeing and Emirates announced the Middle East carrier is further expanding its all-Boeing dedicated freighter fleet with an order for five 777 Freighters, valued at more than $1.7 billion at list prices.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said: "Emirates is investing in new freighters so that we can continue to serve customer demand with the latest fuel-efficient aircraft. This order reflects Emirates' confidence in air freight demand and overall aviation sector growth. It lays the ground for our continued growth, which is driven by the reach of our diverse global network, the advanced handling infrastructure at our Dubai hub, and the tailored transport solutions that Emirates has developed to serve our varied customers' needs."

The aeroplanes will be operated by Emirates SkyCargo, adding to its fleet of 11 777 Freighters. At last November's Dubai Airshow, Emirates announced a $1 billion investment to expand its air cargo capacity, including two new 777 Freighters that joined Emirates' fleet this year.

Emirates was a launch customer for the 777 Freighter and is currently the world's largest operator of the 777 family, with nearly 150 of the aeroplane type in its fleet. Boeing's best-selling freighter, the 777F is the world's largest, longest-range and most capable twin-engine freighter flying today, with 17% lower fuel use and CO2 emissions compared to prior aeroplanes.

"We value the trust that Emirates has repeatedly placed in its all-Boeing freighter fleet," said Stan Deal, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The expansion of Emirates' fleet with these additional fuel-efficient 777 Freighters will enable the airline to support its growing cargo market demand, transporting goods rapidly and efficiently from origin to destination in the Middle East and around the world."

Air Canada and Emirates activate codeshare deal to extend global networks......

Air Canada and Emirates today announced the launch of their codeshare cooperation. The new partnership will allow customers of the carriers to enjoy seamless connectivity to 46 markets spanning three continents, including to destinations across the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.

Air Canada and Emirates customers will have access to 46 points across North America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa

Frequent flyer members of Aeroplan and Skywards will soon be able to earn and redeem points or miles when flying with both airlines

Enhanced customer offering implemented with the issuance of a single ticket and baggage transfers through to the final destination 

A plan for improved connectivity and seamless experience between the carriers at their respective hub airports in Toronto and Dubai to be implemented over the next six months

Beginning today, codeshare tickets will be available for sale to 35 markets for travel effective December 1 with 11 additional markets to be added pending final regulatory approval, and the potential for more markets to be included beyond that. Tickets are available via the carriers' websites at aircanada.com and emirates.com as well as via major GDS systems and travel agencies.

"This exciting new partnership with Emirates will allow Air Canada to meaningfully broaden the choice of flight options for our customers. It will create easier connections between Canada and destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. As well, it will allow us to draw more connecting traffic through our Toronto global hub and expand our presence in these dynamic regions where demand for global travel is expected to grow," said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer at Air Canada.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: "We are delighted to establish a partnership with Air Canada, to expand our reach into more points in North America. Partnering with Canada's flag carrier enables us to offer customers seamless connectivity when flying to domestic points within Canada via Toronto. Besides the added-value benefits and rewarding experiences that leisure and business travellers of both airlines can look forward to, the partnership allows Air Canada's customers to travel to destinations across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, thanks to our expansive network via our hub in Dubai."

World Vegan Day - Emirates embraces demand for plant-based meals and healthier choices

Photo Emirates

Heralding the upcoming World Vegan Day on November 1, Emirates has delivered a resounding response to heightened demand for plant-based cuisine with a multimillion-dollar investment into new vegan choices onboard. A curated menu of gourmet vegan dishes has been introduced into First and Business Class, while Economy Class menus have also welcomed a refreshed selection of plant-based produce.

To cater to the rapid growth of the global vegan community and general interest in herbivorous diets, Emirates is setting new standards in customer experience with delicious and healthy options for cosmopolitan customers following a vegan lifestyle, or for those who seek a lighter meal choice while travelling. Vegan options are available to order and pre-order onboard, as well as in Emirates Lounges.

Increasing Demand for Vegan Cuisine

Emirates has been serving vegan options onboard since the 1990’s. Initially, vegan requirements were focused on specific routes such as Addis Ababa where vegan meals are required during certain times of the year by those practising the Ethiopian Orthodox faith, or across the Indian subcontinent where multiple faiths encourage a plant-based diet. Vegan dishes are now rapidly gaining general popularity on US, Australian, some European and UK routes, with Emirates noting a sizeable increase in interest in vegan dishes over the last decade. Routes showing recent increasing interest in vegan meals include Beirut, Cairo, and Taiwan. Currently Emirates offers more than 180 plant-based recipes catering to vegan customers.

Menu Development

Photo Emirates

Already consistently rated as the best airline for vegan travellers by many dedicated website polls including VegNews, Emirates has invested into developing a new vegan menu to rival acclaimed restaurants. The vegan menu in First and Business Class spent a year in development in Emirates Flight Catering, an expansive facility based at Dubai International airport, which is home to 11,000 employees and serves up to 225,000 meals daily. It is the largest flight catering facility in the world and home to international chefs of 69 different nationalities. The menu was the focus of multiple presentations and tastings, featuring contributions from diverse cuisine specialists like Chinese, Indian and Arabic speciality chefs, to create a wide range of flavours and textures. The tasting panels included both vegan and non-vegan chefs and team-members to ensure an inclusive approach.

Emirates returns A380 to popular Dubai - Narita route

Photo Emirates 

Emirates, the largest international airline, is upgrading capacity on its Narita-Dubai route with the deployment of its flagship A380 from 15 November, as Japan scraps the daily arrival cap, and lifts the COVID-19 testing and self-quarantine protocols for inbound travel. Following the Japanese government’s announcement last month to ease the entry restrictions, Emirates has seen a spike in bookings for flights to its gateways - Narita and Osaka.

Emirates’ flight EK318 from Dubai will depart at 2:55hrs and arrive in Narita at 17:20hrs. The return flight EK319 from Narita will depart at 22:30hrs and arrive in Dubai at 5:30hrs the following day. All times are local.

The reintroduction of the Emirates A380 to Narita also underscores the airline’s long-standing commitment to Japan’s tourism and travel sector. By providing more capacity, the airline aims to serve the pent-up demand for travel into Japan along with providing choice and flexibility for travellers through its daily service to Osaka EK316/317, operated by the Boeing 777.

This year, Emirates is celebrating two decades of successful operations to Osaka’s Kansai International Airport. Emirates was the first airline to establish air connectivity between Japan and the UAE, as well as the rest of the Arabian Gulf countries back in 2002. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the airline continued to contribute to the local community by transporting essential air cargo between Japan and other global markets, which also helped to maintain the trade links that were needed during the unprecedented times via its Dubai hub.