Emirates to launch A380 with bi-coastal inauguration

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Emirates Airline has announced plans to showcase the new, double-decker Airbus A380 during exclusive familiarization flights in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The familiarization flights will immediately follow the inaugural flight of the aircraft from Dubai to New York JFK on August 1, 2008. Each familiarization flight will last approximately two hours.

Invited guests from San Francisco and L.A. – both slotted to receive their own daily non-stop service featuring the Boeing 777-200LR from Dubai this fall, will have the opportunity to view the A380 before it begins three-times weekly service from Dubai to New York. Emirates’ Dubai to New York service marks the first time any carrier will operate the A380 commercially in the United States.

“The A380 familiarization flights will give guests from San Francisco and Los Angeles a chance to feel and experience the new aircraft as well as learn more about Emirates’ world-class amenities and comforts. The events will offer an exciting introduction to the airline in advance of our launch of services from Los Angeles and San Francisco later this year,” said Nigel Page, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, the Americas.

“We are very proud to be the first airline to bring the A380 to North America as a commercial service and consider this a milestone for the aviation industry. We are also delighted to be able to offer access to the aircraft on both the east and west coasts of the United States,” added Page.

Emirates’ San Francisco familiarization flight is scheduled for Monday, August 4th, 2008 out of San Francisco International Airport. Invited guests will have an opportunity to tour the aircraft which features 489 seats in a three-class configuration (14 first class, 76 business class and 399 economy class).

The following day, Tuesday, August 5th, 2008, residents of Los Angeles will have their own opportunity to see the A380 at the Flight Path Museum at Imperial Terminal at LAX. Not only will invited Angelenos be privy to Emirates’ award-winning on-board amenities and premier service, but they will also be flying aboard the airline industry’s most fuel efficient aircraft.

Powered by American aircraft engine maker Engine Alliance’s GP7200 engines, Emirates’ A380s can fly up to 7,456 miles on a full load, has 13 tons of bellyhold capacity for cargo and offer better fuel economy per passenger mile than most hybrid passenger cars. The A380 is also quieter, both inside and outside of the cabin, which means more comfort for passengers.

Emirates currently serves 101 cities around the globe with a young and technologically advanced fleet of wide-body aircraft that are equipped with industry-leading comforts in the air. Operations on Emirates from New York and Houston connect America to the world through the airline’s route network with extensive connections to the Far East, Australia and Africa. On October 1st, Emirates will introduce service to the West Coast with a non-stop flight from Los Angeles, followed by introduction of service from San Francisco on November 20th.