Emirates will restore A380 service to all prior US destinations, CEO says
Emirates will bring the Airbus A380 back onto all U.S. routes that were previously serviced by the double-decker jet, CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said on Monday.
Speaking at a media roundtable at the Dubai Airshow on Monday, Al-Maktoum said that the airline was working to restore its full A380 fleet after grounding it during the height of the pandemic. The aircraft will be added back into the schedule as they become available, with markets with the most demand continuing to see the Airbus jumbojet restored soonest as a way to boost capacity.
"With the -380 program today, we have 47 of them," Al-Maktoum said. "Our operation, looking toward the end of the year, we'll have over 60," he said, referring to planes being pulled back out of storage. Emirates has a fleet of about 120 of the aircraft type, which it grounded during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Emirates has returned the planes to service, there have been questions about whether the fleet type would return to its former glory serving as the effective flagship for the airline.
More: First look: Inside Boeing's first prototype 777X
Emirates currently serves Boston Logan Airport (BOS), for instance, using a Boeing 777-300ER, where previously it flew the A380. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) currently has A380 service, but Emirates will downgauge the route to a 777 starting in December. The airline plans to reintroduce the A380 to Dulles in April, 2022, according to data provided by Cirium.
"It all depends on the traffic," or demand, Al-Maktoum said. "We saw an excellent summer to the U.S. and our traffic today is good."
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app