Emirates has launched its Dubai-Auckland route - one of the world’s longest non-stop scheduled commercial flight.
The gulf carrier expects the new service to have an estimated flight time of just under 16 hours from Dubai to New Zealand and 17 hours, 15 minutes in the other direction, cutting journey times by almost three hours each way when compared with the stopping service.
The inaugural flight was operated with a double-decker A380 rather than the Boeing 777-200LR that will regularly fly the route.
Emirates launches milestone Dubai-Auckland non-stop service - Source: Emirates
“This is an important development for our customers, for Emirates, and for New Zealand,” said Emirates Group president Gary Chapman. “We anticipate high demand for the route, providing a further boost to inbound tourist traffic into New Zealand that now exceeds three million a year,” he added.
The service will carry up to 266 passengers with eight First Class suites, 42 lie-flat Business Class seats and 216 Economy Class seats.