Gateway to Hollywood Advances American Expansion for Dubai-based Airline

DUBAI, U.A.E., October 27, 2008 – Emirates, one of the world’s fastest-growing international airlines, commenced its Los Angeles service yesterday, as Flight 215 touched down at Tom Bradley Terminal, Los Angeles Airport at approximately 1:55 p.m. local time.
 
The Los Angeles route marks the first non-stop operation connecting Dubai to Los Angeles.  Emirates is flying its Boeing 777-200LR on the route, offering 266 seats in a three class configuration and providing up to ten tons of cargo capacity.  Initially, service will be offered three times per week – Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays – before offering daily service upon the arrival of additional aircraft.
 
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said, “Los Angeles represents Emirates' commitment to the American market.  We have evaluated the U.S. for expansion opportunities and have carefully examined our existing services in Houston and New York – both of which have been very successful.  We look forward to recreating this success by connecting Los Angeles to Dubai and beyond.”
 
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said, “This route opens a new destination for business and leisure travelers in the Gulf region, a part of the world not previously served from Los Angeles.  It will also enable travelers to reach every region of the world non-stop from LAX.”
 
The new flight runs a distance of 8,339 miles, clocking a journey time of 16 hours and 45 minutes from Dubai to Los Angeles, while the shorter return flight is just less than 16 hours.  Flight 215 departs Dubai at 8:20 a.m., arriving in Los Angeles at 1:05 p.m. (local times).  The return route, Flight 216, departs Los Angeles at 4:00 p.m., arriving in Dubai at 7:55 p.m. local time the following day.
 
The non-stop, long haul flight delivers the highest standards of comfort.  Emirates' 777-200LR is fitted with eight luxurious private suites in first class, 42 of its latest lie-flat beds in business class, and generous space for 216 passengers in economy class.
 
Passengers in all classes enjoy the award-winning service from Emirates' international cabin crew recruited from over 100 countries around the world, including meals prepared by gourmet chefs and the airline's award-winning ice Digital Widescreen product (information, communication, entertainment) now boasting over 1,000 channels of entertainment in all classes and nearly 1,700 hours of video and audio entertainment.
 
The brand new $4.5 billion T3 terminal at the Dubai International Airport, which opened its doors on October 14, 2008, will welcome all flights to and from the Americas.  T3 is designed to eventually handle 43 million passengers yearly.   Featuring over 250 check-in desks, 26 gates and various retail and service offerings, T3 has already started to offer Emirates passengers exceptional comfort in travel.
 
The new route joins Emirates' growing network of American destinations including a double daily service to New York's JFK International Airport and a daily service to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport.  On 15 December, Emirates will introduce another service to the West Coast with a non-stop flight to San Francisco bringing its total number of U.S. gateways to four.