Everything We Know So Far About The Carrier’s Airbus A350 Order

Emirates is on the verge of a significant fleet upgrade, with a firm order for new Airbus A350-900s. The first deliveries are set to commence in 2024. As new aircraft join its fleet in the coming months, the Dubai-based carrier announced more destinations.

Emirates’ Airbus A350 order history

In November 2019, Emirates inked a deal for 50 Airbus A350-900 XWBs at the Dubai Air Show, an order worth around USD 16 billion, with a last-minute press conference. The airline originally had an order for 30 Airbus A350 as part of its deal during the closure of the A380 program but has since expanded it by another 20 to reach 50. At the time of the order, Emirates Chief Executive Officer Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum had the following words to share:

“Together with the A380, the A350 will give us more capacity and flexibility. We will be able to expand to new markets with these aircraft.”

However, on November 16, 2023, at the Dubai Airshow, Emirates signed an additional 15 A350-900 orders, bringing its total order to 65 aircraft. The deliveries will start in September 2024, with all 65 aircraft expected to be in service by early 2028.

The absence of -1000s in the order strongly indicated the President’s negative opinion of the Rolls-Royce Trent engines, previously described as “defective” by Sir Tim Clark. There was no signing ceremony, and while the order added to Airbus’s tally, it may not have been the substantial order the European aircraft manufacturer had expected.

First Emirates’ Airbus A350-900 spotted

Last February, the aft fuselage of an Airbus A350-900 being produced for Emirates was sighted at Airbus Hamburg Finkenwerder Airport (XFW), one of the facilities operated by the European manufacturer across Europe. Airbus has over 20 manufacturing sites, each responsible for building different aircraft parts. These parts are then transported to Final Assembly Lines (FAL) in Europe or North America.

On May 7, 2024, Emirates’ first Airbus A350-900 was spotted in its full livery. The aircraft, with the registration number MSN 684 and designated as A6-EXA, is now awaiting its engines before commencing test flights.

The first ten Airbus A350-900 aircraft will arrive by March 31, 2025. These twin-aisle jets will feature Emirates’ latest upgrades, including premium cabin options. While the initial configuration focuses on three cabin classes, Emirates has left the door open for future variations.

Emirates will configure these aircraft with 32 business class, 21 premium economy, and 259 economy class seats. Unlike the airline’s Boeing 777-200LRs, these aircraft will not include a first-class product onboard. Emirates hasn’t disclosed the business class seat details yet, but it has hinted at a staggered layout for more privacy and comfort.

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Emirates’ Airbus A350 routes and deployment

Emirates faces a considerable challenge with its fleet of only A380 and Boeing 777 widebody jets. Despite previously favoring a fleet commonality strategy, the airline now needs to integrate a new family of aircraft into its expanding long-haul network.

Emirates has outlined the first nine destinations to be served by the new A350s. Starting in September 2024, the airline will introduce the A350 on short—to medium-haul routes within the Middle East, West Asia, and Europe.

The first Airbus A350-900 service will be between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Bahrain International Airport (BAH), currently served by either the Boeing 777-200LR or Boeing 777-300ER. According to Emirates’ recent announcement, these are the initial routes the A350 will operate out of Dubai (DXB).

Emirates’ order of A350-900s will enhance its fleet of over 240 aircraft. The airline intends to use the A350 for various missions, including flights lasting up to 15 hours.

All are carefully planned to support the airline’s future growth and Dubai’s D33 economic agenda, which, as set out by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aims to add 400 cities to Dubai’s foreign trade map over the next decade.

Do you think Emirates will seamlessly integrate the Airbus A350 across its global network? Let us know in the comments below.