Emirates non-stop LA-Dubai flight planned

15 March, 2008:

Having firmed up the start of services to the west coast of the United States, airline major Emirates will be expanding its network even further in 2008.

Emirates will open its third US gateway with non-stop flights between the Californian city of Los Angeles and Dubai on September 1, 2008. The flight will cover a distance of 8339 miles, in 16 hours 35 minutes journey time to California, while the shorter return flight will be just under 16 hours.

The daily service will be the first non-stop operation connecting Dubai , the Gateway to Arabia to Los Angeles. Emirates will fly its Boeing 777-200LR on the route, offering 266 seats in a three class configuration and will provide up to 10 tonnes of cargo capacity from Los Angeles.

According to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group, “ Los Angeles represents Emirates’ commitment to the American market. We have evaluated the U.S. for expansion opportunities and have carefully examined our existing services in Houston and New York- both of which have been very successful. We look forward to recreating this success by connecting Los Angeles to Dubai and beyond.”

Talking on the new route, Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of Los Angeles, “I look forward to the start of service later this year. The route opens a new destination for business and leisure travelers in the Gulf region, a part of the world not previously served from Los Angeles.”

The non-stop, long haul flight will deliver the highest standards of comfort: Emirates’ 777-200LR is fitted with eight luxurious private suites in First class, 42 of its latest lie-flat beds in Business class, and generous space for 216 passengers in Economy class, the airline said. The new service will also provide its customers in the Middle East and Asia with direct access to California ’s largest city and the second largest city in the US. Besides, the new service will operate out of the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport, it added.