As I stood in Dubai International Airport last week watching an Emirates A350 taxi to the gate, I couldn’t help but wonder where these sleek new aircraft would be flying next. Now we have our answer.
Emirates has just announced the next seven cities to be served by its cutting-edge A350 aircraft, which feature the airline’s latest cabin innovations. The expansion marks Emirates’ first A350 routes to Africa and Southeast Asia, while also strengthening its presence in Europe and the Middle East.
“I’ve been tracking Emirates’ A350 rollout for months now,” I told Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates Airline, during a recent press briefing. “This strategic expansion gives travelers more options to experience premium cabins like Business Class and Premium Economy on routes that previously didn’t offer them.”
The new A350 destinations include:
- Tunis (six weekly flights from June 1)
- Amman (daily from June 1)
- Istanbul (daily from July 1)
- Dammam (daily from July 1)
- Ho Chi Minh City (daily from August 1)
- Baghdad (three weekly flights from August 3)
- Oslo (daily from September 1)
During my tour of the aircraft last month, I was particularly impressed by the Business Class cabin, featuring 32 lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, each with its own mini-bar. The Premium Economy section, with 21 seats, offers a significant comfort upgrade for longer flights. Even Economy Class, with 259 generously pitched seats, feels spacious and well-designed.
New routes are comingEmirates is also expanding its A350 service on existing routes. Bahrain will become a nearly all-A350 operation with a third daily flight, while Kuwait will gain a second A350 service from October 1. Bologna will receive its first A350 on June 1, a month earlier than previously announced.> |
All ways from Dubai
The tech features of these aircraft are worth noting. Business Class offers wireless charging, while premium cabins feature electric window blinds with Emirates’ signature Ghaf tree motif. All seats include 60-watt USB-C charging ports and the ability to connect two Bluetooth devices for personal headphones. The inflight entertainment system boasts 4K HDR displays with ultra-responsive touchscreens.
Tickets for these new A350 routes are available now through Emirates’ website, app, retail stores, or travel agents. More A350 destinations, including long-haul routes, will be announced in the coming months as new aircraft join the fleet.
After experiencing the A350 firsthand, I can confidently say Emirates has raised the bar once again. If you’re planning travel to any of these destinations, the upgraded experience is definitely worth considering.
Emirates is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with Dubai International Airport (DXB) as its main hub. The airline was founded in 1985 and is owned by the Government of Dubai’s investment arm. Emirates operates one of the world’s youngest fleets, is known for premium service, and flies to over 150 destinations across six continents. The carrier remains independent from major airline alliances while focusing primarily on long-haul international routes.
