Emirates to restart daily Adelaide flights
The Gulf carrier is resuming daily flights from Adelaide to Dubai, and then onwards to the rest of the world...
By David Flynn, September 23 2024
Emirates is soaring way back to Adelaide, with daily flights reconnecting South Australians with Emirates’ Dubai hub and through it, the rest of the world – especially Europe and the UK.
From Monday October 28, a long-range Boeing 777-200LR will carry some 38 travellers in Emirates’ flatbed business class – arranged in a 2-2-2 layout, although there's an all-new 1-2-1 business class on the way – along with 264 economy recliners, although this particular 777 doesn’t include Emirates premium economy.
Business class in Emirates' long-range 777-200LR jet.
Flight EK441 will depart Adelaide at 10:35pm and arrive into Dubai at 5:15am the following day; flight EK440 is wheels up at Dubai around 2am to reach Adelaide at 8:50pm the same day.
Emirates says the timetable for these 13-hout flights dovetails into the airline’s “prime European arrival and departure times, offering a seamless travel experience and optimal connections of less than four hours.”
The Gulf carrier first graced Adelaide’s skies in 2012, but flights came to a halt in March 2020 following the outbreak of the global pandemic. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth have all seen Emirates come soaring back, and now Adelaide is once again on the airline’s map.
And as a Qantas partner, these Emirates flights can be booked under a Qantas codeshare carrying a QF8xxx flight number which also earns a full serve of Qantas Points and Status Credits.
“The return of Emirates to Adelaide has been highly anticipated by passengers and industry for some time,” says Barry Brown, Emirates Divisional Vice President Australasia said.
“We are equally as excited to again service South Australia and provide the state with opportunities across leisure, culture and tourism and support trade growth.”
Emirates’ return to the City of Churches is backed by the South Australian state government, which says the daily flights are forecasted to generate a whopping $160 million in annual tourism expenditure and freight exports.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
25 Jul 2013
Total posts 70
That's great! Although, I was under the impression Adelaide would be served with the new A350. Interesting to see the 777-200LR instead.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
21 Jul 2019
Total posts 183
Great news for Adelaide, but this is yet another reminder that when it comes to premium travel, Emirates still lags far behind Qatar and Etihad with that antiquated 2-3-2 layout, which will be kicking around for many years yet. Caveat emptor.
03 May 2021
Total posts 55
I’m not really sure why it took so long for them to return but better late then never. Also interesting how it’s the Boeing 777-200LR, when I thought there was all this hype about Adelaide being possibly the first a350 destination.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Feb 2015
Total posts 124
It’s not like Adelaide is swimming in choice of aircraft so they can put any old bird on the route
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 115
The 777-200LR is currently the smallest aircraft in the EK fleet, and typically gets used on new routes, or those with low premium demand. It has 302 seats, compared to a typical A350-900 which will be larger, and the 777-300ER which varies between 354 - 428 depending on the specific EK variant.
EK have x10 777-200LR in the fleet, and x65 A350-900 on order, but the ADL schedules may yet change depending on forward bookings, and also the situation that the A350 introduction entry into service is delayed. Better to surprise people with an upgrade to a factory fresh A350, than to annoy them with the downgrade to a shabby B772 - especially when they are trying to get a route up an running / restarted. In the simplest of scheduling speak - use it or lose it.
FYI - there are currently 17 routes with B772 flights (many with larger B77W or A380 on some days) , with SE Asia being common. The most regular flights are to cities in India & Pakistan, which obviously don't need the long range of the B772, but more about lower demand (or maintaining regular services where larger aircraft cant be justified).
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1547
Meanwhile SAS (i.e. Sydney Aerial Service) does not fly from ADL to overseas at all. Perhaps no market.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Oct 2013
Total posts 113
And having checked the prices on a couple of days I think I’ll stick to Qatar thanks!
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