Emirates: "no plans for Airbus A380 on Brisbane-Dubai flights"

Emirates has poured cold water onto continuing speculation that it is about to introduce an Airbus A380 onto flights between Brisbane and Dubai.

"We have no plans to use the A380 on the Brisbane route" a spokesperson for the UAE flag-carrier told Australian Business Traveller.

And while it's unwise to rule anything out in the ever-changing airline industry, the spokesperson affirmed "there is nothing on the horizon at this time."

Emirates currently has one daily direct flight between Brisbane and its home hub in Dubai, and a second which transits via Singapore. Both flights use Boeing 777-300ERs.

But the popularity of the route, Emirates' continued investment in the superjumbo, and the fact that Emirates' expansive First Class lounge in Brisbane Airport is designed for direct boarding onto an Airbus A380 – the first such capability in Australia, with a boarding gate in the lounge providing access to one of Brisbane Airport's two dual-level A380-ready aerobridges – have long fanned the flames of rumour.

For now, however, Emirates insists that the rumours are precisely that...

David Flynn

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.