Emirates is reintroducing direct flights to Auckland on its A380 superjumbos.
The resumed route will be the Dubai airline’s longest flight, covering a distance of 14,200 kilometres in 16 hours.
It will be one of the world’s longest non-stop scheduled commercial flights and one of the longest A380 flights on the planet.
Daily flights on the double decker from Dubai to New Zealand will commence on December 1, with one-way fares starting from Dh7,680 ($2,091).
Emirates is also resuming non-stop flights to Kuala Lumpur.
The airline currently operates to both cities with a linked Boeing 777 service, which stops in Kuala Lumpur then continues on to Auckland. The start of superjumbo flights to each city will see them delinked and travellers able to fly non-stop between both destinations and Dubai.
To Auckland, A380 flights will depart Dubai every day shortly after 10am, arriving in New Zealand at 11am the following day. On the return, travellers will leave Auckland at 9.15pm, landing in Dubai at about 5.30am the next day.
The move comes after New Zealand lifted its remaining Covid-19 restrictions last month.
Non-stop flights from Dubai to Kuala Lumpur will have a journey time of 7 hours and 15 minutes. Services are scheduled to depart Dubai daily at 3.30am, arriving in the Malaysian capital at 2.35pm. On the return leg, flights leave Kuala Lumpur at 1.45am, landing in Dubai shortly after 5am.
One-way fares from Dubai to Kuala Lumpur start from Dh2,100 per person.
Emirates is the largest A380 operator with 118 of the double-deckers in its fleet. Travellers love the aircraft for its spacious cabins and luxury products, such as in-flight shower suites and a communal bar.
During the global pandemic, Emirates — and many other airlines — grounded A380 fleets. The Dubai airline is now accelerating the use of its superjumbos to meet the growing global demand for air travel.
Emirates currently operates the world's largest passenger jet to 32 destinations around the world, with plans to add more destinations. It has announced major retrofit plans for 67 A380 superjumbos, under which new premium economy cabins will be installed, with first-class cabins and business-class seats refurbished.
Travellers flying to Auckland and Kuala Lumpur will not yet be able to book Emirates' newest class of cabin. It will not be offered on either of the routes when they resume in December, an airline representative confirmed.
What's it like to fly Emirates new Premium Economy — in pictures
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Travellers can now check in for Emirates premium economy flights. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The new cabin class is now available to Emirates customers travelling on A380 routes to London, Paris and Sydney. -
A boarding pass for Emirates' premium economy cabin. -
The new cabin has luxurious seats and more legroom. -
Cabin crew hand out hot towels to passengers seated in the premium economy cabin. -
Welcome drinks are part of the premium economy service. -
An Emirates crew member details safety features for travellers flying premium economy. -
The wood panelling in premium economy is inspired by Emirates' business-class cabins. -
Each seat has a 13.3-inch screen, one of the largest in its class. -
Premium economy seats offer six-way adjustable headrests. -
Leather seats have a 40-inch pitch, are 19.5 inches wide and recline eight inches into a comfortable cradle position. -
Travellers flying premium economy all have easily accessible in-seat charging points and a side cocktail table for drinks. -
The cabin class offers passengers a distinct menu to choose from. -
Each seat also has calf rests and footrests. -
Welcome drinks and amenity kits are offered to travellers flying Emirates premium economy. -
The new cabin will also be added on flights to New Zealand from December.
