Emirates cuts two Airbus A380 flights to Sydney, Melbourne
By David Flynn, September 28 2018
Emirates is shaking up its Australian schedule, with two Airbus A380 flights to Sydney and Melbourne being swapped for the less-salubrious Boeing 777-300ER.
The Qantas partner is also making changes to its sole daily Adelaide-Dubai service and temporarily trimming the number of flights between Perth and Dubai.
An Emirates media statement issued to Australian Business Traveller outlined the changes listed below, adding these "decisions were made after a recent review of our operations, which was undertaken to ensure the optimal commercial utilisation of our aircraft fleet."
Update [2/10/18}: an Emirates spokesperson has advised Australian Business Traveller that none of the Boeing 777-300ERs which will be replacing Airbus A380s on flights from Sydney and Melbourne will be fitted with the Gulf carrier's swanky new first class suites.
Emirates flights: Sydney-Dubai
The daily EK416/EK417 flight between Sydney and Dubai – a flagship service which has historically featured the Airbus A380, although a Boeing 777-300ER was temporarily rostered on from July 1 through to October 27 2018 – will now stay locked on the Boeing 777 rather than return to the superjumbo.
Losing the superjumbo on this flight not only means losing the popular inflight bar, but fewer business class seats – which on the Boeing 777-300ER are in the less-popular 2-3-2 layout – plus fewer first class suites (and no first class shower).
Emirates flights: Sydney-Bangkok-Dubai
Another of Emirates' Airbus A380s will leave Australian skies from January 15 2019, with the daily EK418/EK419 service connecting Sydney, Bangkok and Dubai shifting down to a Boeing 777-300ER.
Emirates flights: Melbourne-Singapore-Dubai
A third Emirates superjumbo getting the axe is EK404/EK405, the A380 which flies daily between Melbourne, Singapore and Dubai.
This will be wound back to a Boeing 777-300ER as of January 15 2019 (the same swap will also briefly be seen between November 2 and November 20 2018).
However, a spokesperson for Emirates has revealed to Australian Business Traveller that as of January 15, "another flight between Dubai and Singapore will be upgraded to an A380" – which will see two Dubai-Singapore flights on the A380 and two on the Boeing 777.
Emirates flights: Adelaide-Dubai
Emirates' sole daily flight between Adelaide and Dubai (EK440/EK441) will drop from a Boeing 777-300ER to the Boeing 777-200LR from October 28 to November 30 2018, as well as February 1 to April 15 2019.
There is, however, some upside: this Boeing 777-200LR will be one of the jets fitted with the refreshed 2-2-2 business class seats (shown below) instead of the more common 2-3-2 configuration.
However, this win for business class passengers is a loss for first class flyers, as the process of upgrading each Boeing 777-200LR sees its first class suites removed.
Emirates flights: Perth-Dubai
Emirates currently has two daily flights between Perth and Dubai, but this will be dropped to 11 flights per week from November 7 to November 30 2018, and February 5 to April 15 2019.
The affected flights are EK424/EK425 – between those dates listed above, EK424 will run only on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
There's no change to the daily Airbus A380 service of EK420/EK421.
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.
QF
24 Jan 2016
Total posts 22
I've taken EK418/9 many times both on Y and J. The loads on an A380 usually are light-medium so I can see why they're changing. The early evening departure from SYD is great for getting in a day's work before heading off, but the thought of a 10-abreast 777 in Y means I'll almost definitely use QF or TG day flights to BKK after the change.
03 May 2013
Total posts 680
The 1.40AM arrival time into BKK was always a deal breaker for me despite inferior QF330 V EK380.
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 437
I was always amazed there was any demand for first class to Adelaide.
25 Apr 2018
Total posts 1
Really? I have clients who fly it all the time!
Qantas
02 Sep 2015
Total posts 37
I'm on a march first class trip 404 and 405. So what happens now there is no first class
QF
24 Jan 2016
Total posts 22
The 777-300's have First Class.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2011
Total posts 359
Nothing, there is still F on the 777-300ER
Qantas
02 Sep 2015
Total posts 37
I mean no showers on the 777
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 May 2016
Total posts 1
You might want to take a shower at home before flying!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Oct 2018
Total posts 6
Quotation first:
28 Feb 2011
Total posts 4
It seems "contract" does not and never has applied to the airline industry. Not sure why.... But it just doesn't.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2011
Total posts 359
Perhaps there is a chance that 404/405 gets the new F. That would be nice...
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 262
This is due to Runway upgrades at Dubai?
17 Nov 2011
Total posts 27
Don't think so. The runway closure is only 45 days in April/May 2019, while the schedule changes are for other times: https://www.dubaiairports.ae/corporate/media-centre/fact-sheets/detail/southern-runway-rehabilitation-programme
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
14 Apr 2013
Total posts 325
Does this mean the SYD - CHC - SYD becomes a B777 service?
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 113
The non-stop DXB-SYD flights continue to be operated by A380, of which the SYD-CHC-SYD is a continuation of the EK412 / EK413 and therefore still scheduled for the A380 at this stage.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 May 2016
Total posts 4
I'm very surprised EK404 is swapping to 777. I fly this route often and it always appears to be quite full in business, a good mix of those joining in Singapore and those continuing on from Dubai. I've also seen frequent operational upgrades at the gate from economy to business which might not be so common now. I often book either EK404 or QF38. Based on this change, I'll make sure to only book QF38 in business from next year.
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
Emirates is lessening the number of seats they carry between Australia and various points in South East Asia, then (since they're downgauging the indirect flights to SYD/MEL via BKK/SIN).
I guess that will help keep the load factors (and/or prices) on QF's services to BKK and SIN up.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jan 2015
Total posts 70
The EK404/405 downgrade is disappointing. I enjoyed the A380 service to Singapore later in the day. I'll just book QF37 now
29 Sep 2018
Total posts 4
So what happens if I'm on a Qantas award booking on ek425 in first class. Am i better off trying to find another award seat or wait till I hear from Emirates?
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 113
29 Sep 2018
Total posts 4
My tickets are all confirmed. It took 5 hours of live chat and 4 hours on the phone to get the tickets booked.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Jan 2012
Total posts 172
Did you know, that if you have a QF booking on an EK operated flight, you can go to the EK website and use your QF Booking Reference and it will automatically take you to the EK booking. I have tested this many times and it works. It is supposed to work in reverse as well, but I have not tested that way.
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 113
29 Sep 2018
Total posts 4
That's actually a very valid point. I didn't think of it that way. Thanks for that.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 371
Surprising that the SYD and MEL changes are from 15 January 2019, as inbound loads (to Oz) should normally be extremely high as a percentage of available seats until the end of January due to Christmas school holidays.
04 Jun 2018
Total posts 19
Passenger loads on EK424/EK425 outside of peak travel periods are extremely low - I've seen as low as 90pax mid-week earlier in the year so the scale down of services doesn't surprise me at all (actually it wouldn't surprise me if the service becomes seasonal only in 2019).
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1207
There was a time about a year ago when EK said they were aiming for a time when all their AU services were on the A380. I guess such an aim may still exist but has been deferred for at least a few years.
27 Jan 2016
Total posts 6
We will miss lovely A380 by 2 days. :(. Not sure if 787-200R are in 2-2-2 or 2-3-2 configuration. Who can confirm?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Mar 2015
Total posts 59
Unfortunately our flight has changed to the old angled 2-3-2 configuration
01 Jun 2017
Total posts 17
EK418 DXB BKK SYD becomes EK417 SYD DXB on A380. EK416 DXB SYD becomes EK419 SYD BKK DXB on A380. Unless Emirates is also reducing EK416 and 417 to 777-300ER or removing SYD-CHC-SYD altogether, there is no way it could reduce the sector with the BKK stopover to a 777-300ER. It is sad to see these flights are winding back to 777-300ER.
01 Oct 2018
Total posts 1
Beginning December the EK416 / 417 was supposed to be an A380. This now has switched back to 777. I contacted Emirates for change out of this flight to EK413 / 414 for three PAX with success. Required quite a lot of negotiation but they were quite helpful in the end.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 May 2017
Total posts 4
Our flights have just changed to 777 rom A380 for EK417 in Aug 19. Probably wouldn't have wasted points in F if I knew there was a change come! But I suppose thats the risk you take.
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 113
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 May 2017
Total posts 4
@born2fish - Thanks for the good insight! Totally get/agree with your points. I suppose only because this is our first time flying F I figured it would be great to experience the novelty of the bar and shower on the A380.
26 Sep 2017
Total posts 38
Ooooo...Hellojoey...still try to get yourself a flight on an Emirates A380 at some stage (Emirates has the best A380). The A380 is a vastly more comfortable aircraft than B777. Cabin pressure is at a lower equivalent altitude, and if it's a long flight, you notice the advantage of the superior wing design in the amazing stability of the aircraft. Noise levels in the A380 are significantly lower in sound pressure levels, and importantly also at a slightly lower pitch. For best comfort at the other end of all journeys, I've found A380 best. Next best is A350, then I think it's a bit of a toss between B777x and B787.
25 Nov 2016
Total posts 43
What a glum piece of news that “none will be fitted with the swanky new First class”. Yet the positives are not insignificant: taller suite walls, no need to be tangled with the idea of whether to take an inflight shower or not, introvert friendly removal of bar, much more viewer friendly (less thick and bigger) windows and potentially more personalised service due to reduced suite numbers... Blah, blah, blah, sounds familiar? Swedish Capital Syndrome? However, as the old saying goes: “I would like to have nice things and more choices available, yet I reserve my rights to choose or not to choose.” Quoted by my then 16 year old high school mate. The pros and cons of 77W vs 388 is irrelevant here. The real issue is that EK took away the choices for many who have already paid. While so many here are mocking the guy who missed his shower above the clouds, who has in fact thought of The Spirit of Contract?Enough said.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Nov 2016
Total posts 23
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Oct 2018
Total posts 6
I understand totally where you are coming from. The choice of words in the statement where “an Emirates spokesperson has advised Australian Business Traveller that none of the Boeing 777-300ERs which will be replacing Airbus A380s on flights from Sydney and Melbourne will be fitted with the Gulf carrier's swanky new first class suites” does sound obnoxious. People like consistency and change for the better. If it is the other ways around, we will then start looking for excuses to comfort ourselves - a classic phenomenon called cognitive dissonance, which is also more susceptible to beliefs and actions associated with Stockholm syndrome. We vote with our feet and it’s always the little things that count.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Mar 2016
Total posts 4
Booked and paid for 2 first class tickets only days ago based on A380 suite etc. Syd-Dubai-Lon.
Not happy - are they flying any A380 on the Syd-Dubai route?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 May 2017
Total posts 4
EK415 is still showing an A380, which is the 6am flight out from SYD.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
16 Jun 2016
Total posts 16
Both 415 (0600hrs) and 413 (2110hrs) will remain as A380 ex SYD.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
07 Sep 2012
Total posts 146
David....I think you'll find that EK404/405 from MEL-SIN-DXB is scheduled to return to an A380 at the end of March 2019
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
We're just reporting what we have been advised by Emirates PR, and they didn't call out an end-date for that swap.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Oct 2015
Total posts 5
I am booked on this flight on 6 April and can confirm it has been changed to a 777.
29 Sep 2018
Total posts 4
We're booked on the 5th of April and it's also a 777 instead of the 380 we booked.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Jul 2017
Total posts 32
So what is the big deal on missing a shower on the A380. On my return to Sydney from DXB 3 weeks ago in F I was advised that one is only permitted 3 mins of in shower time. That ain't long!!!
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 113
Normally the Shower Suites are allocated in 30 min blocks, with total of 20-25 mins allowed (5mins of that is actual water allocation timer in the shower which you can stop and start at your discretion), and the remaining 5 mins to allow the CSA's to clean up for the next person. If you only got 3 mins, there may have been considerations for the onboard water supply, or the other suite may have been out of action. All that said however, I have been offered extra water time previously when F Cabin is not full, or others haven't pre-booked shower times. The 5 minutes water time doesn't sound like much, but it's really plenty. First world problems I know.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Jan 2014
Total posts 14
I recently flew Emirates A380 First MEL/DXB return and was the only passenger in first on the AMEL/DXB leg and only 4 pax on the return flight - it was very nice having the entire First Class Crew and 2 showers at my disposal on the outbound leg 😁 Business Class was also sparsely populated on both legs so I’m not surprised at this decision by Emirates.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 371
There seems to be repeated comments if one searches hard enough that yields tend to be lower to and from MEL than SYD, despite the former experiencing greater overall growth in international passenger traffic (not an EK-specific comment: I'm referring to the whole suite of airlines that fly to and from Oz).
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 1
Noticed today our EK419 flight to BKK on 23/11/18 is now a 77W so it appears this is starting earlier than January '19 or perhaps for this period. Oh well. A bit disappointing.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Jul 2017
Total posts 32
Question for members, can one use QF FF points on Emirates flights to UK through DXB?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Jul 2017
Total posts 32
Members, in addition to my previous request, can one use QF FF points on Qatar flights to LHR?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2431
DAREing: The answer to both of your questions is ‘yes’. The advice about only being able to use points to book codeshare routes on Emirates is incorrect, and likewise, Qantas and Qatar are Oneworld partners, so you can use points to book Qatar flights. Just search where you want to fly via the Qantas website and available flights will appear, or you can also call Qantas if you need help.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
07 Sep 2012
Total posts 146
DAREng...you can use QFF points to purchase EK tickets (but not upgrades) as long as you book through the QF website and the flight is a EK/QF codeshare. Don't think you can do the same with Qatar flights.
12 Apr 2017
Total posts 24
Hi David
06 Nov 2018
Total posts 2
I booked a flight with Emirates business to Bangkok purely for the A380 so it’s a bit annoying it’s changed. I know the article mentions about the first class not being upgraded on the 777’s, but does anyone know if the 777-300ER’s that will do SYD-BKK will include their upgraded business class with the proper flat seats?
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 113
Unlikely on SYD-BKK unfortunately. They were only adding the latest business class product to newly delivered 300ER from late 2016 onwards (which is only about 20 airframes out of 140 in the B77W sub-fleet), along with retrofitting the x10 200LR's at the same time they remove F cabin.. They are mostly scheduled to a handful of European destinations, although some talk of scheduling in the new year to include flights from BNE & PER.
06 Nov 2018
Total posts 2
Thanks for the reply, that’s indeed disappointing. We only did Emirates for the A380 and we live in Melbourne so added effort to go to Sydney first. I was just crossing my fingers for the updated business. I’m not travelling until Feb if that makes me any luckier. Should’ve just gone with Thai airway from Melbourne!
12 Apr 2017
Total posts 24
Good evening David
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
07 Sep 2012
Total posts 146
Sutty...two of the three daily Melbourne flights will be A380s (the direct late evening one, and the one that goes via Singapore) while the other direct flight in the early evening will be on the 777.
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
More sad news:
Emirates will suspend flights EK 418/419 between Bangkok and Sydney from 01 June 2019.
Emirates will continue to serve Sydney with three flights a day non-stop to Dubai, and Emirates’ customers wishing to travel between Bangkok and Sydney will have flight choices provided by Emirates’ partner Qantas.
Effective 31 March 2019, Emirates will suspend EK 424/425 and serve Perth with a once daily Airbus A380 service non-stop from Dubai.
26 Mar 2016
Total posts 21
Wow things not looking great for the Sydney to Bangkok sector. Qantas no longer has a lounge in Bangkok (although you can use either a OneWorld lounge or the Emirates lounge), Thai reducing to one flight per day, Emirates pulling out completely. Thai need more competition, not less, to encourage them to put decent aircraft on the route.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 371
During the last few years there's been new nonstops introduced to HKT so that must be crimping demand to BKK.
06 Feb 2019
Total posts 1
We are booked in for EK404 First Class 1 June at 6pm with Singapore stop over, it has 777-300 listed? Will this stay as 777 or change to A380? thanks
12 Apr 2017
Total posts 24
Hi jterz
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 113
Etihad - Etihad Guest
15 Jun 2019
Total posts 1
Emirates has now handed Syd-Bkk to Qantas with it's inferior product offering!
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Emirates cuts two Airbus A380 flights to Sydney, Melbourne