Emirates To Fly 34 Airbus A380s To The UK Each Week

Simple Flying

By Tom Boon

Published Nov 18, 2020

An Emirates airplane, the double-decker Airbus A380 with registration A6-EOO is approaching Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport arriving at runway 27. The flight is arriving from Dubai, DXB Airport in the U.A.E. Emirates is operating two daily direct flights from Dubai to Amsterdam with Airbus A380. The flight duration is 7h 30min from Dubai to Amsterdam and 6h 40m the return trip. (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Emirates is set to operate 34 Airbus A380 flights to the United Kingdom each week as it ups its post-crisis operations. The news comes after the United Arab Emirates was added to the United Kingdom's travel corridor list.

The Airbus A380 has been absent from the world's skies for the majority of 2020. Indeed, at the time of writing, just three services were carrying passengers compared to 102 this time last year. Most airlines have grounded, stored, or retired their fleets, with Emirates now operating the bulk of A380 flights alongside a handful from other operators. Now, Emirates is increasing its services even further.

34 weekly UK A380 flights

From early December, Emirates will have upped its number of Airbus A380 flights serving the United Kingdom each week to 34. The bulk of services will be to London Heathrow. While London's primary airport is currently seeing two daily A380s and one daily Boeing 777, from November 27th, it will be served by four daily A380 flights.

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Manchester Airport currently receives eight flights from Emirates per week. From December 1st, this will increase to ten weekly flights. Six will be operated by A380s, with the first running on December 2nd.

Emirates, Airbus A380, United Kingdom — The airline has noticed an increase in bookings thanks to a new travel corridor to the UAE. Photo: Emirates

The airline is also increasing its non-A380 services to the United Kingdom. From November 27th, the airline will increase its Boeing 777 flights to Birmingham, while Glasgow will follow on December 1st.

Why is Emirates upping its UK flights?

The United Kingdom has always been a special market for UAE carrier Emirates. Indeed, before the current situation, more than a quarter of the carrier's capacity was directed to the country. London alone had daily services to three different airports. In September 2019, Simple Flying reported that 56% of the airline's European profits came from the country.

The airline has now found itself in the position where the UAE is one of the few major destinations with a travel corridor with the United Kingdom. That means that travelers can visit the country without quarantining for two weeks on their return. Passengers flying to the UAE will need to take a COVID-19 test 96 hours before their flight or a test on arrival in the country.

Emirates, Airbus A380, Flower Sculpture — The A380 in Dubai Miracle Garden is made from half a million flowers. Photo: Getty Images

Dubai is also open to both business and leisure travelers, and its warm climate means that it is perfect for those looking to beat the lockdown blues. They could even visit the Dubai Miracle Garden to see Emirates' Airbus A380 made from half a million flowers. It should be noted that England's lockdown rules currently state "you must stay at home and avoid travel in the UK or overseas, unless for work, education or other legally permitted reasons."

Would you fly on one of Emirates' A380 services between the UK and the UAE? Let us know what you think and why in the comments!