Emirates A380 superjumbo is flying to 15 cities this summer: from London to Los Angeles


Hayley Skirka
  • English
  • Arabic

After more than a year of disrupted travel, Emirates plans to put its A380s back in the sky.

From July 15, Emirates will ramp up superjumbo services between Dubai and Jordan, ahead of the Eid Al Adha holidays.

With space for more than 400 passengers, the Dubai airline's mammoth jets were used regularly at the start of the coronavirus pandemic to operate repatriation flights, helping stranded travellers return home.

Since then, it's been a waiting game for the world's largest passenger jets, with the majority of the aircraft temporarily grounded by Emirates.

Emirates will be ramping up operations to Jordan during the summer with the introduction of double daily A380 services during July for Eid Al Adha and in August. Courtesy Emirates
Emirates will be ramping up operations to Jordan during the summer with the introduction of double daily A380 services during July for Eid Al Adha and in August. Courtesy Emirates

Having restarted A380 flights to a handful of destinations, Emirates plans to resume more super-jumbo services as travel restrictions ease and vaccination rates ramp up around the world.

In addition to adding more A380 flights to Jordan, Emirates will also boost its double-decker network over the summer, operating routes to 15 cities on 129 weekly services.

"The A380 ensures the efficient use of capacity on high-demand routes, and enables Emirates to deliver its sought-after A380 experience to more customers, helping the airline to maintain its leadership position in key cities across its network," read an official statement.

To enable this, Emirates will be reintroducing more than 30 of its A380 jets back into service.

So, if you've missed spending time on the giant of the skies during the pandemic, here are all the places you can travel on it this summer.

Amman

Jordan's Amman. Unsplash
Jordan's Amman. Unsplash

Emirates resumed A380 services to Amman in 2020, and will add double daily services to Jordan's capital ahead of Eid. It will also operate double daily A380 services from Tuesday, August 10 to Tuesday, August 31, because of forecasted passenger demand.

"The introduction of a second A380 service to Amman during the Eid Al Adha period and in August means more of our customers will have the opportunity to experience our industry-leading products on-board, and will also enhance choice and travel preferences as they plan their journeys to and from Dubai, and beyond to popular destinations for Jordanian travellers," said Mohammad Lootah, Emirates' area manager for Jordan.

Cairo

Emirates operates the superjumbo to Cairo. Unsplash / Dario Morandotti
Emirates operates the superjumbo to Cairo. Unsplash / Dario Morandotti

Egypt's capital was added to Emirates' resumed A380 network in 2020. Travellers hoping to visit the Pyramids, venture to Sharm El Sheikh or discover ancient history in Alexandria can fly to Egypt on the superjumbo.

Emirates was the first scheduled commercial airline to operate an A380 flight into Egypt when it flew to Cairo International Airport on October 2, 2019.

Jeddah

Jeddah is on Emirates' A380 network. Unsplash / Mohammed Alorabi
Jeddah is on Emirates' A380 network. Unsplash / Mohammed Alorabi

Having served Saudi Arabia's coastal city of Jeddah via superjumbo since 2010, Emirates will operate more A380 flights to the kingdom over the summer.

The Dubai airline became the first to land an A380 at the new Terminal 1 in Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport when it opened earlier this year.

Guangzhou

China's Guangzhou is serviced by Emirates A380 jumbo jets. Unsplash / Loeng Lie
China's Guangzhou is serviced by Emirates A380 jumbo jets. Unsplash / Loeng Lie

In August last year, Emirates began operating the A380 to Guangzhou, one of China’s most diverse destinations.

Perched at the mouth of the Pearl River, the port city is one of China’s most important trade and travel hubs and Emirates is operating there via a weekly superjumbo flight.

London Heathrow

Dubai to London was Emirates' busiest A380 route before the pandemic. Unsplash
Dubai to London was Emirates' busiest A380 route before the pandemic. Unsplash

As the top A380 market for Emirates, the airline resumed double-decker flights to London last year and continues to service the UK capital despite travel restrictions in place owing to the UAE being a red-listed country in the UK.

Emirates currently operates two A380 flights to London Heathrow daily and is also operating its latest flagship aircraft on the route, featuring new premium economy seats to the England capital's airport.

Manchester

Emirates plans to resume A380 service to Manchester from July 1. Unsplash / William McCue
Emirates plans to resume A380 service to Manchester from July 1. Unsplash / William McCue

Emirates is set to resume A380 services from Dubai to Manchester as of Thursday, July 1.

The airline was previously operating 10 flights a week to Manchester, six of which were serviced via the enormous Airbus A380. From next month, there will be a daily superjumbo service to the northern English city.

Frankfurt

As Germany reopens to vaccinated travellers, Emirates is adding A380 services to the country. Unsplash
As Germany reopens to vaccinated travellers, Emirates is adding A380 services to the country. Unsplash

In May this year, Emirates returned to Frankfurt Airport via superjumbo, marking the first time the Dubai airline had operated to the German hub with the aircraft in more than a year.

The current schedule has Emirates flying daily to Frankfurt via an A380, alongside another Boeing 777 service.

Vienna

Vienna is part of the double-decker network. Unsplash / Dimitry Anikin
Vienna is part of the double-decker network. Unsplash / Dimitry Anikin

Having first operated an A380 to the Austrian capital back in 2016, Emirates resumed superjumbo services to Vienna last year.

The airline flies daily to Vienna International Airport, with flights leaving Dubai just before 9am from Sunday to Wednesday, and on Fridays. On Saturdays and Thursdays, flights depart the UAE just before 4pm.

Paris

With France reopened to vaccinated travellers, Paris could get more A380 services. Unsplash
With France reopened to vaccinated travellers, Paris could get more A380 services. Unsplash

One of the first destinations to receive A380 services again, Paris welcomes daily Emirates superjumbo flights, alongside a daily Boeing 777 service.

With France having reopened to vaccinated travellers in June, passenger demand to the world's most-visited country could be set to ramp up. This explains why Emirates has a second A380 replacing the Boeing 777 flight on its schedule from Thursday, July 1.

Munich

Munich will be added to Emirates' superjumbo network from July 1. Unsplash
Munich will be added to Emirates' superjumbo network from July 1. Unsplash

Germany is reopening to vaccinated travellers from the UAE this week, which lines up nicely with Emirates' plans to restart A380 services to Munich. From Thursday, July 1, passengers can fly direct to the capital of Bavaria via superjumbo, with a daily flight to Franz Josef Strauss Airport.

Moscow

Russia's Moscow welcomes A380 flights from Emirates. Unsplash
Russia's Moscow welcomes A380 flights from Emirates. Unsplash

Emirates resumed A380 service to Moscow in September last year. Flights operate daily, with morning services out of Dubai on Fridays and Wednesdays, and afternoon departures on remaining days.

From Sunday, August 1, Emirates looks set to add a double daily A380 flight, according to the schedule on the airline's website.

New York

Emirates' superjumbos have returned to New York City. Unsplash / Colton Duke
Emirates' superjumbos have returned to New York City. Unsplash / Colton Duke

After more than a year off the route, the world's largest passenger aircraft resumed flying from Dubai to the Big Apple on June 1.

Emirates now operates seven A380 flights per week to New York's JFK, alongside three Boeing 777 services.

Los Angeles

Emirates will resume A380 services to Los Angeles from July 1. Unsplash / Cameron Venti
Emirates will resume A380 services to Los Angeles from July 1. Unsplash / Cameron Venti

Emirates is set to restart its A380 Dubai-to-Los Angeles service this summer. From Thursday, July 1, the superjumbo will take to the skies headed for the City of Angels.

Bookings are already open on Emirates' website for the double-decker services to the Californian city, with fares listed from Dh3,635 ($989).

Washington DC

Emirates will add Washington DC to its superjumbo network this summer. Unsplash
Emirates will add Washington DC to its superjumbo network this summer. Unsplash

Another destination in the US set to be added to Emirates' biggest Airbus network is Washington DC.

The Dubai airline will fly the mammoth jet to Dulles International Airport four times per week from Thursday, July 1.

Toronto

Emirates plans to add A380 flights to Canada's Toronto from July. Unsplash
Emirates plans to add A380 flights to Canada's Toronto from July. Unsplash

Canada is slowly easing travel restrictions and Emirates hopes to restart A380 services to Toronto from Thursday, July 1. The double-decker will fly five times per week to the Ontario capital with a journey time of 14 hours.

Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
​​​​​​​Penguin Press

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
US%20federal%20gun%20reform%20since%20Sandy%20Hook
%3Cp%3E-%20April%2017%2C%202013%3A%20A%20bipartisan-drafted%20bill%20to%20expand%20background%20checks%20and%20ban%20assault%20weapons%20fails%20in%20the%20Senate.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20July%202015%3A%20Bill%20to%20require%20background%20checks%20for%20all%20gun%20sales%20is%20introduced%20in%20House%20of%20Representatives.%20It%20is%20not%20brought%20to%20a%20vote.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20June%2012%2C%202016%3A%20Orlando%20shooting.%20Barack%20Obama%20calls%20on%20Congress%20to%20renew%20law%20prohibiting%20sale%20of%20assault-style%20weapons%20and%20high-capacity%20magazines.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20October%201%2C%202017%3A%20Las%20Vegas%20shooting.%20US%20lawmakers%20call%20for%20banning%20bump-fire%20stocks%2C%20and%20some%20renew%20call%20for%20assault%20weapons%20ban.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20February%2014%2C%202018%3A%20Seventeen%20pupils%20are%20killed%20and%2017%20are%20wounded%20during%20a%20mass%20shooting%20in%20Parkland%2C%20Florida.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20December%2018%2C%202018%3A%20Donald%20Trump%20announces%20a%20ban%20on%20bump-fire%20stocks.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20August%202019%3A%20US%20House%20passes%20law%20expanding%20background%20checks.%20It%20is%20not%20brought%20to%20a%20vote%20in%20the%20Senate.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20April%2011%2C%202022%3A%20Joe%20Biden%20announces%20measures%20to%20crack%20down%20on%20hard-to-trace%20'ghost%20guns'.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20May%2024%2C%202022%3A%20Nineteen%20children%20and%20two%20teachers%20are%20killed%20at%20an%20elementary%20school%20in%20Uvalde%2C%20Texas.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20June%2025%2C%202022%3A%20Joe%20Biden%20signs%20into%20law%20the%20first%20federal%20gun-control%20bill%20in%20decades.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
HAJJAN
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Abu%20Bakr%20Shawky%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3EStarring%3A%20Omar%20Alatawi%2C%20Tulin%20Essam%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al-Hasawi%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How Beautiful this world is!
Second ODI

England 322-7 (50 ovs)
India 236 (50 ovs)

England win by 86 runs

Next match: Tuesday, July 17, Headingley 

Cry Macho

Director: Clint Eastwood

Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam

Rating:**

Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015

- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France

Bugatti Chiron Super Sport - the specs:

Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 

Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto 

Power: 1,600hp

Torque: 1,600Nm

0-100kph in 2.4seconds

0-200kph in 5.8 seconds

0-300kph in 12.1 seconds

Top speed: 440kph

Price: Dh13,200,000

Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport - the specs:

Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 

Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto 

Power: 1,500hp

Torque: 1,600Nm

0-100kph in 2.3 seconds

0-200kph in 5.5 seconds

0-300kph in 11.8 seconds

Top speed: 350kph

Price: Dh13,600,000

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes. 
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

Silent Hill f

Publisher: Konami

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Rating: 4.5/5

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)

Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)

Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)