Emirates, Dubai-based, is set to launch services to Houston, Texas ” its second destination in the USA ” starting on 3 December 2007. The non-stop service will initially operate three times a week, increasing to a daily from 1 February 2008. Emirates will fly its new Boeing 777-200LR on the route, offering 266 seats in a three-class configuration and up to 18 tonnes of cargo capacity.
Emirates Airline and Group chairman and chief executive HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said: ”We believe there is a strong and growing demand for convenient air travel connections between the USA and cities in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, as illustrated by the success of Emirates services to New York JFK”.
Emirates new non-stop service will provide its customers in the Middle East and Asia with direct access to the fourth largest city in the US. Houston is a hub for the country”s oil and energy-related industries, and one of the largest international gateways into the US.
When launched, the Dubai ” Houston non-stop service will also be Emirates longest flight clocking 17 hours flying time to Texas, while the shorter return journey will be at just over 15 hours.
Houston is the fourth new destination that Emirates has announced it will be introducing in 2007. The airline has already unveiled plans to start services from Venice in July, Newcastle in September, and Sao Paulo in October. Emirates' global route network currently spans 87 cities in 59 countries across Africa, Europe, the Far East, Indian Subcontinent, and North America.