Emirates Expands A350 Network with First Routes to Africa and Southeast Asia
The airline will add flights to Tunis, Amman, Istanbul, Dammam, Ho Chi Minh City, Baghdad and Oslo with its newest plane
Photo: Courtesy of Emirates
Emirates has announced the next seven cities to be served by its newest aircraft, the Airbus A350, expanding its presence across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
With its latest fleet additions, the airline is introducing its latest cabin innovations to new markets, providing premium travel experiences to a broader range of passengers.
Expanding Across Regions
Renowned for its global operational versatility, the Airbus A350 seems to be the ideal aircraft for the Duba-based airline’s short to medium-haul routes. Beginning in June, Emirates will debut the A350 in Southeast Asia and Africa, with cities such as Tunis, Amman, Istanbul, and Dammam welcoming the aircraft for the first time.
Come August, Ho Chi Minh City and Baghdad will join the roster, with Oslo set to follow in September.
Photo: Courtesy of Airbus / Herve Gousse-Master Films
According to Emirates, this is the new network served by the Airbus A350:
| Route | Start Date | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Bahrain (BAH) | 15-Sep-24 | Daily |
| Kuwait (KWI) | 16-Sep-24 | Daily |
| Mumbai (BOM) | 27-Oct-24 | Daily |
| Ahmedabad (AMD) | 27-Oct-24 | Daily |
| Edinburgh (EDI) | 4-Nov-24 | Daily |
| Muscat (MCT) | 1-Dec-24 | Daily |
| Lyon (LYS) | 1-Dec-24 | Daily |
| Bologna (BLQ) | 1-Dec-24 | Daily |
| Colombo (CMB) | 1-Jan-25 | 4x Daily |
| Tunis (TUN) | 1-Jun-25 | 6x Weekly |
| Amman (AMM) | 1-Jun-25 | Daily |
| Istanbul (IST) | 1-Jul-25 | Daily |
| Dammam (DMM) | 1-Jul-25 | Daily |
| Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) | 1-Aug-25 | Daily |
| Baghdad (BGW) | 3-Aug-25 | 3x Weekly |
| Oslo (OSL) | 1-Sep-25 | Daily |
Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer at Emirates, explained, “Our strategic A350 expansion across diverse geographies leverages the aircraft’s flexibility and efficiency while offering more customers expanded premium travel options and the opportunity to experience our latest generation interiors,” said Kazim.
“This introduction strengthens Emirates’ competitive edge, maintaining our position as the airline of choice for travelers seeking exceptional connectivity and onboard luxury,” he added.
What to Expect Onboard?
The Emirates Airbus A350 is configured with three cabins, accommodating 312 passengers. Business Class features 32 next-generation lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 layout, including the airline’s signature mini-bar in every seat.
Photo: Airbus A350-900 Business Class. Courtesy of Emirates
The aircraft also features the airline’s newest Premium Economy cabin, which offers 21 seats with elevated comfort and amenities. Economy Class provides 259 generously pitched seats designed for an improved journey.
Photo: Airbus A350-900 Premium Economy. Courtesy of Emirates
The aircraft’s interiors showcase a refined design with subtle details, including a modern color palette and premium materials. Emirates has also introduced new touchscreen call bell buttons, digital inflight menus, and electric window blinds featuring the Emirates Ghaf tree motif.
Photo: Airbus A350-900 Economy. Courtesy of Emirates
Passengers flying on this aircraft can enjoy the airline’s next-generation ICE inflight entertainment system, offering 4K Ultra HD screens with 4K HDR technology.
With over 1,500 hours of curated content—including an array of French films and selections from the Cannes Film Festival—the entertainment experience is tailored to global tastes. Passengers can also browse an extensive library of movies, TV shows, music, and podcasts.
Photo: Airbus A350-900 Business Class. Courtesy of Emirates
Business Class seats feature wireless charging, and all cabins are equipped with 60-watt USB-C charging ports. Bluetooth connectivity allows guests to pair their headphones with personalized audio across all cabins.
Upcoming Deployments
In addition to the seven new destinations, Emirates will enhance existing routes with increased A350 service. Bahrain will become almost entirely served by A350s, with a third daily flight beginning June 1. Kuwait will see its second A350 flight added from October 1, and Bologna’s A350 service will commence a month earlier than planned, on June 1.
Looking back, the airline’s first A350-900 aircraft took flight in September 2024, and the airline expects to receive ten additional planes by March 2025.
Photo: Courtesy of Airbus / Herve Gousse-Master Films
“The A350 will be a game-changer for Emirates, enabling us to serve regional points with superior operating efficiency and flexibility,” Kazim stated. “With the latest generation cabin products and more of our sought-after Premium Economy to more cities, Emirates builds on our long-standing commitment to delivering the best customer experience in the sky.”
Emirates has ordered 65 A350-900s, with an additional 15 added at the Dubai Airshow in 2019. The airline continues to expand its fleet, offering passengers world-class comfort and connectivity.
