Emirates is once again converting an operation to all-A380 operation – this time, the twice daily service between Dubai and Manchester UK will be operated with the double-decker superjumbo.
Emirates Airbus A380 taxing at Birmingham Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
Emirates currently operate two A380s to Manchester every day, along with a Boeing 777-300ER. This final 777-300ER service will switch over A380 operations from the 1st January 2017.
In terms of flight numbers, you’re looking at the morning departure – EK21/22 that will have its equipment changed
The revised all-A380 timetable will look like this:
Dubai to Manchester UK EK021 DEPART DXB 03:00 ARRIVE MAN 07:00 EK017 DEPART DXB 07:20 ARRIVE MAN 11:20 EK019 DEPART DXB 14:40 ARRIVE MAN 18:40 Manchester UK to Dubai EK022 DEPART MAN 08:45 ARRIVE DXB 19:45 EK018 DEPART MAN 13:10 ARRIVE DXB 00:25+1 EK020 DEPART MAN 20:35 ARRIVE DXB 07:45+1 Commences with all A380 operation from 1st January 2017 EK21/22 operates with a Boeing 777-300ER up until 31st December 2016. Data: Airlineroute/Emirates
For Manchester Airport, its additional capacity that an Airbus A380 brings 11% more capacity with it. Expect more fares and seats to be available as you connect at Dubai.
Note, that EK19/20 will be operated with a two class plane – something to bear in mind if you love having showers in the sky at 35,000ft.
Meanwhile, 100 miles down the road from Manchester, The Dubai to Birmingham UK service will be changed from its current roster of EK39/40, and changed to operate EK37/38 – with the A380 operated service flying from Dubai in the afternoon, and from Birmingham in the evening.
EK39/40 will switch back to a Boeing 777-300-ER.
The revised timetable is below:
EK041 DPEART DXB 02:25 ARRIVE BHX 06:25 Boeing 777-300ER EK039 DEPART DXB 07:30 ARRIVE BHX 11:25 Boeing 777-300ER EK037 DEPART DXB 14:50 ARRIVE BHX 18:45 Airbus A380 EK042 DEPART BHX 08:15 ARRIVE DXB 19:10 Boeing 777-300ER EK040 DEPART BHX 13:30 ARRIVE DXB 00:35+1 Boeing 777-300ER EK038 DEPART BHX 20:45 ARRIVE DXB 07:40+1 Airbus A380 Commences 1st January 2017 2 Class A380 booked EK39/40 will operate with an A380 until 31st December 2016 EK37/38 will operate with a B777-300ER until 31st December 2016 Data: Airlinroute/Emirates
This is more of a capacity shuffle to Birmingham as opposed to a capacity increase. Emirates say this is to facilitate more A380 to A380 connections.
Emirates operate their 2 class 615 seater planes to Birmingham UK.
For those of you holding bookings into the new year, it could be worth checking your seat assignments to see if you’ve been shifted (especially for those passengers on the Birmingham services)
For Manchester – its welcome changes as a better passenger experience will fly on all Emirates services out of the airport.
For Birmingham… the airport is still dreaming more A380s will come and fill up its gates. On the plus side, if you’re on Qatar Airways service that lands around 20 minutes after EK39 at Birmingham, the immigration queues will be a LOT shorter than before.
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