Emirates plans to resume A380 flights to Australia and New Zealand

Emirates is expecting to bring back its iconic superjumbos to Australia and New Zealand starting late 2021, with A380 tickets now selling between Dubai and Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Christchurch.

The Emirates’ giant will be back in the Australasia skies

According to Executive Traveller, these Airbus A380 flights will start between 31st October and 2nd November – the start date varying slightly by route and direction of travel – ahead of what’s normally the peak Australian summer travel period. The schedule also runs in line with the vaccine rollout timeline of Australia.

It’s a timeline that aligns closely with the expectations of Emirates’ joint venture partner Qantas, which is also selling seats to most international destinations from late October, being when the Australian rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations in adults was first expected to be complete.

Sudney

Starting 1st November, the Dubai-based airline will add a daily A380 service to Sydney that will complement the carrier’s existing Boeing B777-300ER flights, which will also continue at five times per week. For Sydney residents, that A380 becomes available on departures from 2nd November.

In addition to this, Emirates is also resuming superjumbo flights between Sydney and Christchurch starting 2nd November, which it used to serve prior to COVID-19. As before, this also gives travellers the option to book an Emirates A380 solely between Sydney and Christchurch – without travelling to Dubai.

However, it remains to be seen whether the governments of Australia and New Zealand would permit trans-Tasman travellers to take such flights without the need to quarantine, as quarantine-free travel across the ocean is currently restricted to designated ‘green lane’ flights only.

Of course, the same can be said of the Australian Government for all international routes, including those that Emirates expects to ramp up later this year.

Melbourne – All A380

From 1st November (and 31st October ex-Dubai), Emirates will upgrade its existing Dubai-Melbourne service from Boeing B777 to Airbus A380 and it will be a daily service.

The change means that all Emirates flights to and from Melbourne will be operated by the A380 from November, under Emirates’ current plans.

Perth

From 31st October, Perth service will also be upgraded from the 777 to the 380 like the Melbourne service. The A380s are set to fly daily on this route.

Brisbane flights increased, but no superjumbo service for mow

Unlike its fellow cities, there hasn’t been a reveal for A380 plans on flights to Brisbane. However, flights will be boosted to a daily service from 31st October.

Adelaide still off-the-cards for now

Sadly, for those looking to fly to and from Adelaide, flights remain suspended to the capital of South Australia. Nonetheless, passengers can book codeshare flights to the destination operated by Qantas from the end of the year.

Auckland-Kuala Lumpur-Dubai ditches the stopover

In a welcome move for many Kiwi travellers, Emirates’ flights between Auckland and Dubai will go non-stop, removing the current detour via Kuala Lumpur in each direction.

However, the move involves a swap from Emirates’ three-class Boeing 777-300ER to the airline’s two-class Boeing 777-200LR.

This means first class will not be available on flights from Dubai to Auckland from October 31, and from Auckland to Dubai from November 1 under current schedules.

Melbourne-Singapore service remains suspended

Emirates’ previous ‘fifth freedom’ flights between Melbourne and Singapore also remain off the cards for now, although Emirates passengers can book codeshare flights on this route operated by Qantas from late 2021.

Featured image by Emirates

What do you think of Emirates’ plans to resume A380 services to Australia and New Zealand? Do you feel that this is the right move by the airline? Let me know in the comments section below.