Emirates completes 20 years of distinguished flying to New Zealand
- August 2, 2023
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Emirates is exulting as it celebrates 20 years of operations to New Zealand connecting kiwis to the world in style and comfort.
- 49,000 services between Dubai and New Zealand since 2003.
- 16 Million passengers carried.
- Auckland to Dubai remains the longest route on the network at over 14,000 Kms.
- New Zealand the only market on the network to operate the new Premium Economy with a four class retrofitted A380 across all its services.
2003 saw the arrival of an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER via Sydney marking the start of what has been an exceptional service to the citizens of New Zealand. Today is the day Emirates jubilates as it marks 20 years of the same dedication and service with the longest route on its airline network with over 14,000kms of direct flying between Auckland to Dubai.
Longest route and the smallest city served by the Emirates A380
While Auckland to Dubai remains the longest route on Emirates’ A380 network, Christchurch in the South Island remains the smallest city on Emirates network served by an A380. Thousands arrived by the tarmac at Christchurch airport to see the first A380 touchdown in the Garden City in November 2016. Emirates has re-started the Christchurch – Dubai route via Sydney in March 2023.
Continued support to Emirates Team New Zealand
In 2004, Emirates became the naming sponsor of Emirates Team New Zealand. Emirates still holds the naming rights to the team and has continued it’s support to the yacht squadron till date and in 2021 when the team won the 26th America’s Cup in Auckland in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pandemic dedication flying to New Zealand
As airlines buckled down and suspended flying during the pandemic, Emirates continued it’s service to New Zealand with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft via Kuala Lumpur. This was one of very few airlines that assisted in transportation of critical air freight as well as vaccines.
The first country to operate the four class A380
New Zealand is the first country to exclusively operate the four-cabin A380 daily on its network. The new Premium Economy cabin offers a signature experience unmatched in the industry, with a dedicated check-in area at Dubai International Airport, a generous checked baggage allowance of up to 35kg and priority boarding ahead of Economy passengers.
The fully refreshed A380 features Emirates’ latest products and interiors across all cabins, including 56 Premium Economy class seats on the main deck, and new colour palettes evident in the carpeting and wall panels. On the upper deck, First and Business Class seats sport Emirates’ latest cream-coloured leather upholstery and lighter-toned wood finishing, similar to the airline’s ‘game changer’ product.
