Emirates will add Brisbane to its growing network of Airbus A380 routes, with the daily EK434/EK435 services between Brisbane and Dubai running on a superjumbo from October 2nd this year.
It's a big step up in both size and comfort from the Boeing 777-300ER currently used on these flights, delivering Emirates' highly regarded first class suites (with in-flight showers) along with a bar for business and first class passengers.
The flight will also be available under a Qantas codeshare, of course, so that travellers can rake up the maximum number of frequent flyer points and status credits.
Read: Qantas Frequent Flyers – maximise your points on Emirates flights
There's also a bonus for Brisbane business travellers: these flights continue to Auckland and back, offering the chance to enjoy superb trans-Tasman service.
Read: Flying Auckland to Sydney in Business Class on Emirates' Airbus A380
“The Auckland-Brisbane-Dubai route is a popular choice among business and leisure travellers alike" said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Far East and Australasia.
"The new Emirates A380 service will be instrumental in helping Emirates meet this growing passenger demand as well as deliver considerable economic benefits through inbound seats and travel connections."
If you're looking to make a booking on Emirates' A380 from Brisbane, check out our expert guides to the best business class seats and the best economy seats (as well as the ones to avoid).
For the latest news for business travellers and frequent flyers, follow @AusBT on Twitter.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
20 Aug 2012
Total posts 117
Very cool! Well done Emirates!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Aug 2012
Total posts 130
Sounds like a big plus for folks based in Brisbane. A380 from BNE to AKL will be so much better than the narrow body 737.
21 Apr 2013
Total posts 34
this is awsome for brisbane
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Mar 2012
Total posts 233
Finally an A380 for Brisbane!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 May 2012
Total posts 580
I hope this means Emirates can start using the direct boarding gate from their Brisbane lounge?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
20 Nov 2012
Total posts 41
That's what it was built for! :)
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Jan 2012
Total posts 258
They board the 77W's directly from the lounge now, but Wezza is correct, the gate and direct boarding from the lounge was built for the A380.
We always knew BNE would get the EK A380 eventually! Next airline to send it... hopefully SQ.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 May 2012
Total posts 580
I absolutely agree! BNE is screaming out for an A380 SQ service; the angled-lie flats on their A330s are below par. However, F passengers would be quite miffed when they enter the SilverKris lounge which leaves a lot to be desired.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Jan 2012
Total posts 258
You're quite right, and at the moment EK is the only airline offering F in/out of BNE. That's true about the lounge, but if SQ were serious in upgrading their service, they'd probably also upgrade the lounge.
Another upgauge that would be welcomed is from CX. Up 146/147 to a 77W.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Aug 2012
Total posts 130
A SQ A380 in BNE would be nice. But I guess that is quite unlikely given that SQ currently uses the A330 to serve BNE. This will mean a huge capacity increase on the route where they are already serving 3x daily unless they were to replace 2 A330 flights with one A380.
A more likely option is that they use the 777-300ER if they were considering a modest increase in capacity to BNE.
09 Sep 2012
Total posts 139
Now that's tempting.
Sad that it took an airline other than the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service itself to provide an A380 service ex Brisbane.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Dec 2012
Total posts 20
Looking forward to the loads in the AKL lounges, I mean is it not already packed enough with two 380's and a 77W? Perhaps they should extend their AKL lounge... may be logical to join with the QF lounge space and providing seperate J and F/OWE/Plat lounges.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
07 Sep 2012
Total posts 146
The AKL lounge is actually bigger than the MEL one and has an excellent layout - we're only talking about a maximum of 40 or so extra people after all, so it'll handle it just fine. Presumably the AKL-BNE passengers will also now enjoy the Himalyan trek that is the walk to gates 15 & 16 at AKL
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Oct 2012
Total posts 12
I think this is good news but the load on the AKL lounge is going to be tough given that there will be 3 x 380's departing within 30-mins. And its not just the additional 40 premium cabin people - its also the fact that some of those people (ie Golds and Plats) will be allowed guests. Dont forget, Y capacity increases from say 304 to 399 (and a percentage of those flyers will be Golds)...
18 May 2013
Total posts 2
Way cool! I'll be one of the first to rise to the upper level on a high lift truck to service the business and first class suites when this bird arrives back from Auckland.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Aug 2012
Total posts 130
An A380 to replace the 777 on flights to SIN will give travellers more reason to fly QF/EK.
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
23 May 2013
Total posts 44
How will AKL handle three A380s at the same time? I thought they only had the capacity for two A380s at gates 15 & 16 which are currently used by the SYD & MEL flights...
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
07 Sep 2012
Total posts 146
Gate 10 can also handle an A380 but it's only got a single airbridge at the moment, so that'll be fun loading it up!
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