Emirates to add third A380 service to London Heathrow

This will mean three out of the airline's five daily flights into Heathrow will be served by the superjumbo.

Emirates' flagship aircraft will replace Boeing 777s on EK flight 029 from Dubai and on the return flight EK 030, adding capacity to one of the airline's busiest routes.

"Given the popularity of Emirates' A380s, I know this news will be well received by our customers flying between London Heathrow, Dubai and beyond. As these magnificent aircraft continue to join our fleet, we can offer more seats and choice in and out of high density points, while enabling a greater number of passengers to benefit from the Emirates' A380 experience," said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe & Russian Federation.

The airline brought its own brand of double decker, equipped with an Onboard Lounge and Shower Spas, to the British capital in December 2008. After supporting EK flights 001 and 002 between Dubai and Heathrow, EK 003 and EK 004 became A380 services in July of last year.

The giant aircraft, known for its quietness and spaciousness, offers 14 flat-bed First Class Private Suites with electrically operated doors and 76 fully-flat seats in Business Class - all with aisle access - on the upper deck. Downstairs, there are 427 comfortable contoured seats in Economy, spread across four separate cabins.

Passengers in all classes can settle down to more than 1000 channels of films, television programmes, music and games carried on the ice entertainment system.

A personal satellite phone is fitted to each seat, which also carries a seat-back sms and email service, along with seat to seat calling and a "My USB" personal picture viewing facility.

The third A380 service into Heathrow is another major investment for Emirates in the UK, where it operates 105 weekly flights via six gateways; London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow.

In September of last year, Manchester, which is now a triple daily service, became Emirates' second UK gateway to be served by the superjumbo, replacing EK flight 017 and 018.

The international airline of the UAE has a fleet of 17 A380s amongst a total fleet of 162 aircraft, flying to 116 destinations - now including Baghdad.

At the Dubai Air Show on Sunday (13th November), Emirates announced an order for an additional 50 Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, worth approximately US$ 18 billion (AED 66 billion) in list prices. The agreement also included 20 Boeing 777-300 ER options valued at US$8 billion (AED 29.4 billion), lifting the total order to 70 aircraft worth US$ 26 billion (AED 95.4 billion).

UK A380 timings:

• EK 001 departs Dubai 0745hrs - arrives London Heathrow at 1135hrs • EK 002 departs Heathrow 1335hrs - arrives Dubai 0025hrs • EK 003 departs Dubai 1430hrs - arrives Heathrow 1815hrs • EK 004 departs Heathrow 2015hrs - arrives Dubai at 0700hrs • EK 029 departs Dubai 0940hrs - arrives Heathrow 1330hrs (24th January 2012) • EK 030 departs Heathrow 1635hrs - arrives Dubai at 0325hrs (24th January 2012) • EK 017 departs Dubai 0755hrs - arrives Manchester 1145hrs • EK 018 departs Manchester 1330hrs - arrives Dubai 0025hrs the next day