Emirates Airline is increasing the number of Business Class seats out of Birmingham by 39 per cent this summer.
From June 1, the award-winning international carrier is introducing a second state-of-the-art Boeing 777-300ER on its twice-daily services from Birmingham to Dubai, where passengers can connect to onward destinations worldwide.
The move increases the total number of Business Class seats available every day from 69 to 96, and the number of Economy from 651 to 710. It represents a total capacity increase across all classes of just over 11 per cent.
The new aircraft type is being introduced on the evening flight from Birmingham, which departs daily at 9.20pm and is currently operated by the smaller Airbus A330-200. A Boeing 777-300ER is already operating on the lunchtime flight, which departs Birmingham daily at 2.15pm.
Laurie Berryman, Emirates manager for UK regions, said: "Despite the challenging economic conditions, travellers in the Midlands remain keenly aware of the benefits of Emirates' worldwide network.
"Over the last few months demand has continued to grow on the Birmingham route, necessitating an increase in capacity to meet the surge in passenger numbers.
"Both services will be operating by the state-of-the-art Boeing 777-300ER, which has Emirates latest ICE inflight entertainment system on board."
Joe Kelly, Deputy CEO, Birmingham International Airport said: "We are delighted that Emirates is introducing this extra capacity on what is already an extremely popular route. Emirates commenced services from Birmingham in 2000 and since then it has gone from strength to strength, introducing a second daily departure in 2005.
"Emirates opens up access to Australia, the Far East and the Indian Sub-Continent from Dubai, and this news will mean that there are more than 800 seats a day available for people wanting to fly long haul in style from Birmingham."