Emirates has officially inaugurated its Airbus A350 into commercial service, launching it on flights between its Dubai (DXB) hub and the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. The aircraft takes over from a mix of Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 777-200LR equipment. The Airbus A350 is scheduled to operate on the route on a daily basis.
The inaugural flight
Emirates has no competition on the Dubai to Edinburgh sector. The flight was operated by its first Airbus A350, delivered to the carrier from Toulouse on November 25. The plane has since been operating test and training flights between DXB and Dubai World Central (DWC) airport.
The inaugural flight took place on January 3. The aircraft departed slightly behind schedule at 15:26 local time. It landed essentially on time, though, at 19:18 in Edinburgh. The official schedule is shown below for reference.
|
Flight Number |
Origin |
Dep Time |
Destination |
Arr Time |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
EK23 |
Dubai International (DXB) |
14:50 |
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) |
19:05 |
08h15m |
|
EK24 |
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) |
20:40 |
Dubai International (DXB) |
08:05+1 |
07h25m |
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer had the following to say about the inaugural journey.
“This marks a pivotal moment in Emirates’ journey as we introduce the A350 into service. Our first Airbus A350 making its maiden journey to Edinburgh also underscores the strategic importance of the UK within our global network. The Emirates A350 offers the best of our latest inflight products, with new features and enhancements in every cabin. As we continue to expand our A350 fleet, we’re not just adding new aircraft – we’re setting new standards for global air travel.”
Onboard the inaugural journey, Emirates’ treated business class customers to a “specially curated menu” inspired by Scotland’s food traditions. The airline says it offered dishes such as rich broccoli and Lanark Blue cheese soup made with cheese produced locally in Ogcastl, Lanarkshire.
It also offered a Scottish smoked salmon dome which was served with caviar, dill and cranberries as well as a citrus dressing. Other items on the menu included seared Angus beef fillet from Aberdeen, Balmoral chicken paired with tatties and neeps (a traditional Scottish accompaniment to haggis), and a cranachan cheesecake served with a raspberry coulis.
For those in economy class, a “refreshing potato champ salad with Scottish smoked salmon, cheddar cheese with Nairn’s oat biscuits and Walker’s shortbread biscuits” were offered on the menu. Kate Sherry, Chief Commercial Officer at Edinburgh Airport commented:
“Starting the new year with a brand-new aircraft is exactly the way we want to bring in 2025 at Edinburgh Airport. It’s a privilege to welcome the A350 to Scotland and to see Emirates selecting the Edinburgh to Dubai route for its maiden journey. It’s a clear show of confidence in the route and of the importance that Emirates places on a modern aircraft, raising the standards for passenger experience.”
The Emirates A350 fleet
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Emirates had ordered 65 Airbus A350s with Airbus, with deliveries expected gradually over the coming years until early 2028 if all goes to plan. It was initially meant to take its first A350 in mid-2023, but this was delayed. The A350s, which are the airline’s first new aircraft type since 2008, are set to operate on destinations across the airline’s network. Aside from Edinburgh, this includes:
- Kuwait: beginning January 8, operating daily
- Bahrain: beginning January 8 operating twice daily
- Ahmedabad: beginning February 1, operating daily
- Mumbai: beginning February 1, operating daily.
- Bologna: beginning March 15, operating daily
- Colombo: beginning March 1, operating six weekly (no flights on Wednesday from Dubai). Becomes daily in April.
- Lyon: beginning March 30, operating daily
- Muscat: beginning March 30, operating daily
Photo: Airbus
Speaking on the airline’s A350 deployment, Emirates has previously said:
“The A350’s introduction will enable Emirates to expand into new destinations globally, including mid-sized airports unsuited for larger aircraft.”
It’s worth noting that Emirates’ A350s don’t offer first class, a product that the carrier is reputed for having. The aircraft has three classes, accommodating 312 passengers comprising:
- 259 economy class seats
- 21 premium economy seats
- 32 business class seats
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