Emirates is set to receive its first Airbus A350
in October 2024, having postponed the aircraft’s entry into service due to delivery delays. The Dubai-based carrier had initially planned to start flying the Airbus twinjet as early as September 2024.
Preparing for the A350’s arrival
Emirates
has been a highly anticipated Airbus A350 operator
since placing the groundbreaking order for 50 of the type in October 2019
. After facing delays, the airline has confirmed that it now expects the first A350-900 to arrive in October 2024. Additionally, up to five A350s are expected to be delivered by the end of the year.
Photo: Emirates
According to Khaleej Times, the airline’s Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer, Adel Al Redha, confirmed this on the sidelines of the first edition of Dubai AI and Web3 festival. Earlier this year,
Emirates announced its first nine A350 routes
, with the inaugural flight between 
Dubai International Airport
and Bahrain planned for September 15, 2024.
However,
this was postponed to November due to supply chain issues with the manufacturer
. The aircraft may only enter service in December if the current delivery date is met. The Airbus delays have also forced Emirates to extend the service of some of its aircraft. “Due to delays in aircraft deliveries, we have had to extend the service of some of our current aircraft,” said Al Redha.
The A350 for Emirates
For many years, Emirates has been known for operating two aircraft types – the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777. The airline will now add a new modern jetliner to its fleet, with new seat features, upgraded entertainment, and an elegant interior design.
The carrier will also introduce the highly-anticipated Boeing 777X
when the widebody finally enters service.
Photo: Emirates
The first A350s will have 312 seats, including 259 in economy, 21 in premium economy and 32 in business class. The twinjets will fly between Dubai and the airline’s medium-haul destinations including Edinburgh, Bahrain, Kuwait, Mumbai, Colombo, and Lyon. Emirates expects the aircraft to be a game-changer, offering enhanced efficiency and flexibility across the Middle East, West Asia, and Europe.
As previously noted, Emirates initially ordered 50 Airbus A350 XWBs at the 2019 Dubai Airshow, in a deal worth $16 Billion at list price. Last year, at the same event,
the carrier added another 15 A350s to its order book
in a $6 billion deal. Regarding the larger A350-1000, Emirates President Sir Tim Clark noted that
the airline would have ordered up to 50 of the type
if there were no concerns over the variant’s Trent XWB-97 engines.
Emirates’ premium economy class
Like many carriers worldwide, Emirates now offers premium economy on several routes. The airline’s A350s will be delivered with premium economy seats, offering extra legroom and comfort. Customers will also have a chance to fly in its next-generation business class on the new aircraft type.
Photo: Emirates
The Dubai-based carrier is currently undertaking the largest-known fleet retrofit program
. It plans to refurbish nearly 200 A380s and 777s, adding premium economy seats and upgrading the economy, business, and first class cabins. The first retrofitted A380 took to the skies in January 2023,
while the first 777 entered service in August 2024
.
The airline currently operates refurbished aircraft to New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London Heathrow, Sydney, Mumbai, Tokyo, and several other destinations. With the A350 entering service soon, more and more customers will have the chance to fly premium economy and sample the airline’s fresh product.