Dubai-based Emirates Airline is expanding its presence in the United States by adding a second daily A380 flight to New York’s JFK International Airport.
Starting 1st January, Emirates will begin offering almost 1,000 additional seats in both directions on flights between Dubai and New York on the modern A380 aircraft. The airline will replace the Boeing 777-300ER currently in use.
“We have continued to invest in our services by increasing our capacity to build on the resurgent demand for air travel within the United States and we are seeing this strategy pay dividends,” Thierry Antinori, executive vice president of Passenger Sales Worldwide, said in a written statement.
Emirates first began offering A380 service to the USA in 2008. The two-deck aircraft has 399 seats in economy class, 76 flat beds in business and 14 first-class private suites next to two onboard shower spas.
All premium class passengers have access to the Onboard Lounge on the upper deck with plush sofas and a 42-inch LCD screen.
Emirates has been building up its fleet and routes in order to compete against carriers in the Middle East and Europe. Its 175-aircraft fleet includes 21 A380s, the most of any other major airline. This year, the carrier will begin A380 service to Tokyo, Amsterdam and Moscow.
So far this year, Emirates has increased its service to the USA with new flights to Dallas/Fort Worth and Seattle. Flights to Washington Dulles International Airport will begin in September.