OREANDA-NEWS. December 11, 2013. Emirates Airlines launched its longest Airbus A380 flight – daily service between Los Angeles at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the Expo 2020 host city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. 

The landmark service, which crosses Eastern Canada, the North Pole and the Russian Federation, has a published duration of 16 hours 20 minutes.  The flight is the world’s longest A380 service in operation.

“Bringing the glamorous A380 set of wings to the City of Angels seemed like a natural fit as this aircraft mirrors the luxury of the Hollywood lifestyle,” said Hubert Frach, Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations West, who arrived in LA aboard EK 216, Emirates’ inaugural A380 flight from Dubai.

“We congratulate Emirates on the launch of its daily Airbus A380 service at LAX.  This is the type of quality air service we want to keep attracting to LAX as we continue our USD4.1-billion modernization program,” said Gina Marie Lindsey, Los Angeles World Airports executive director.  “The new Tom Bradley International Terminal will more than double in size to 2.2 million square feet (nearly 204,400 square meters).  Emirates passengers will experience a whole new level of convenience and service when we continue opening several of the 18 new gates and 150,000 square feet (nearly 14,000 square meters) of premium retail, dining and other amenities for travelers.”  

The introduction of the 489-seat A380, powered by US made GE GP7200 engines, replaces its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft and is a direct response to demand with over one million Emirates’ passengers travelling between Los Angeles and Dubai so far.  Experiencing Emirates’ renowned hospitality begins well before stepping on board where First and Business Class travelers can enjoy a complimentary chauffeur-drive service to/from the airport and access to 35 dedicated Emirates’ lounges across its impressive network.

Passengers in all cabin classes can enjoy WiFi, ice Digital Widescreen offering up to 1,500 channels of on-demand in-flight entertainment, and gourmet-chef prepared meals, served by international and multi-lingual cabin crew.  The double decker has 14 First Class Private Suites, 76 lie-flat beds in Business Class and 399 spacious seats in Economy Class. First Class passengers may wish to freshen up in one of two Onboard Shower Spas.

All upper deck premium passengers can socialize at 40,000 feet in the popular Onboard Lounge, serving hors d'oeuvres and five-star delicacies prepared by some of the world’s leading chefs, as well as wines carefully chosen by sommeliers.  Bar staff begin serving drinks as soon as the aircraft reaches cruising altitude.

Emirates 23rd A380 service will operate daily as EK 216, departing Los Angeles at 1600hrs and arriving in Dubai at 1950hrs the following day.  EK 215 departs Dubai at 0820hrs and arrives at Los Angeles at 1250hrs the same day.  The A380’s arrival time in Dubai offers passengers from L.A. connections to an extensive range of onward destinations in the Middle East, Indian Sub-continent, Africa, Asia and the Far East.  The airline operates 63 weekly flights from the U.S to Dubai from seven gateways. They are Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Washington DC and New York JFK.