Emirates Airline is to operate two one-off Airbus A380 services from Dubai to New York as it gears up to take delivery of the ultra-large aircraft.
In an unusual move, the Middle East carrier says it will fly two commercial A380 rotations to New York on 1and 3 August, although it is unclear what will subsequently happen to the aircraft before scheduled services begin on 1 October.
The flights will also reveal Emirates” previously unknown A380 interior and on-board product, which will receive their official airing at the handover ceremony at Airbus” Hamburg facility on 28 July.
Emirates is expecting delivery of five A380s in its current financial year to feature a 489-seat configuration with 14 first class, 76 business and 399 economy seats. Routes after New York will include Dubai-London Heathrow and Sydney-Auckland.
With propulsion supplied by Engine Alliance GP7200 engines, the Dubai-New York flights will take 14h non-stop.