Is Emirates Downgrading Dubai-San Francisco From A380 to 777 in November?
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Update 5/24/17: Good news! DXB-SFO will continue to be operated by an Airbus A380. From Emirates:
Emirates can confirm that we will not be changing our operations to/from San Francisco to a Boeing 777. A technical error from a software provider occurred on 23rd May, causing the Emirates service to be displayed as a Boeing 777 operation from November 5 on certain third party websites. This error is currently in the process of being resolved. Emirates flies daily to/from San Francisco with an Airbus A380 and remains committed to its US operations.
It looks like Emirates — the world's largest A380 operator — may be pulling the A380 from another US route later this year. Starting November 5, indications are Emirates will start operating a 777 on this 16-17 hour flight. With this reduction, Emirates' flagship aircraft will only be flying to three US airports at the end of 2017: Los Angeles (LAX), New York's JFK and Washington, D.C. (IAD).
This is in addition to other US service reductions by the Dubai-based airline in the wake of the large carry-on electronics ban. Analysts calculate that those cutbacks eliminated over 500,000 seats per year on flights to/from the US.
What does the swap from the A380 to the 777 mean? Switching from the A380 to the 777 drops the number of first class suites from 14 to 8, as well as 76 gilded lie-flat business-class seats down to just 42 angle-flat seats. Fewer seats might mean tighter award availability. Also, the 777 doesn't feature the on-board shower or glitzy on-board bar — though it's still plenty luxurious in first class, especially if you get the newer configuration:
While this change is showing up on ITA Matrix and Google Flights, the seat map hasn't been changed on Emirates' website or ExpertFlyer. So, we can't be sure that the change is going to be made. We have reached out to a media representative for Emirates but haven't heard back yet.
Using ExpertFlyer, we can see that there's not going to be any trouble fitting the booked passengers on the new aircraft for the November 5 flight:
If you want to enjoy all that the Emirates A380 has to offer on a long route, you still have the option of booking flights from LAX-DXB.
Or, you've got over five months to book on the SFO-DXB route. While the summer has tight award availability, there are plenty of dates in October with awards in both first and business:
With Alaska's recent Emirates devaluation, you've got two decent options for booking first class on this route: 100,000 JAL miles or 102,000 Malaysia Enrich miles — if you book before June 10 (131,000 starting June 10). In business class, you can book a one-way for 65,000 JAL miles; 70,000 Virgin Atlantic miles; 72,000 Malaysia Enrich miles or 82,500 Alaska miles.
Interested in JAL or Alaska miles to make this redemption happen? Japan Airlines and Alaska Airlines are transfer partners of Starwood Preferred Guest, and you'll get 25,000 miles for each multiple of 20,000 Starpoints you transfer.
You can stock up on Starpoints by signing up for the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express or the Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card from American Express. Both currently offer a 25,000 Starpoint sign-up bonus once you meet certain spending requirements. You can also buy up to 30,000 Starpoints per year — although you probably want to wait until there's a bonus promotion.
If you're going the Malaysia Airlines or Virgin Atlantic route, you can transfer Citi ThankYou points at a 1:1 ratio to either airline. Earn ThankYou points via the Citi Prestige Card (75,000 TYP sign-up bonus with $7,500 spend) or the Citi Premier® Card.
Are you going to fly the Emirates A380 from SFO before the change?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees