Emirates has chosen Bahrain as its inaugural destination for its new fleet of Airbus A350 fleet. Ten new A350s are expected to join the fleet by 31 March next year.
The airline has plans to deploy its latest aircraft type to nine destinations in the coming months.
Emirates has placed an order for 65 A350-900s. This will support the airline’s future growth as well as Dubai’s D33 economic agenda that plans to add 400 cities to Dubai’s foreign trade map over the next decade.
The first 10 Emirates A350 aircrafts will serve short- to medium-haul cities on the Emirates network. They have three cabin classes – 32 Business Class, 21 Premium Economy, and 259 Economy Class seats.
Passengers to Bahrain will be able to experience Emirates’ Premium Economy product and new Business Class cabins for the first time. The first A350 to Bahrain will operate on the daily EK839/840 service from 15 September. The frequency will increase to cover two Bahrain services with the second service starting on 1 November.
Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline, commented: “The A350 will be a game-changer for Emirates, enabling us to serve regional points with superior operating efficiency and flexibility across the Middle East and GCC, West Asia and Europe.
“With the latest-generation cabin products including more of our sought-after Premium Economy to more cities, top-notch in-flight entertainment technologies and an abundance of other customer-friendly features, the Emirates A350 builds on our long-standing commitment of investing in the very best customer experience in the sky.
“Flying the A350 to nine cities in such a short span of time adds more premium cabin options and choice across geographies, and ensures we maintain our competitive edge and industry leading position.”
Kuwait will become the second destination for A350 on the daily EK853/854 service, starting 16 September, with Muscat’s daily EK866/867 joining the network from 1 December.
On 27 October, India will become the third country to be linked with A350s, with daily EK502/503 to Mumbai, and EK538/539 to Ahmedabad. Colombo’s fourth daily service (EK654/655) will be served by the A350 from 1 January next year.
In Europe, Edinburgh will rejoin the Emirates network from 4 November. Lyon and Bologna will be the next two cities to be served by an A350 from 1 December.
Emirates flights to A350 destinations go on sale on Monday.
