Emirates may fly to more US cities

Emirates airlines said yesterday it would operate the world's largest passenger aircraft three times a week between New York and Dubai (EK202/EK201) on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Emirates President Tim Clark indicated that other US cities are being evaluated for Emirates' growing route network such as Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth and Washington. New points will augment the airlines' existing US gateways of New York, Houston and soon Los Angeles (October 26) and San Francisco (December 15).

"After eventually being incorporated in Emirates' twice-daily service to New York, the quieter, greener aircraft will be deployed on the London Heathrow route from December 1 and on the Sydney and Auckland services from February next year," it added in a press release.

Emirates airlines made history when its Airbus A380 landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport at approximately 4:35 p.m. on August 1.

This was the first commercial A380 "superjumbo" jet to touch down on American soil.

"We are very pleased to celebrate Emirates' inaugural flight from Dubai to New York – the first commercial service to touch down in the United States," said Clark in his reception speech to public officials, members of the media and special guests at the airport.

"We have just celebrated the 60th anniversary of Kennedy International Airport. We now welcome the first service of this remarkable aircraft to the US," said Susan Bear, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, Aviation.

The true test of the flight's success was reflected in the comments of the crew, passengers and public who participated in the first service and greeted the aircraft with applause on touch down at JFK's terminal four.

"Flying the first commercial service of the Emirates A380 to the US was thrilling," said Emirates pilot Captain Abbas Shaban. "Although bigger than any other civil aircraft, the A380 is smoother and quieter than any other commercial aircraft I have flown," he added. Captain Shaban was among several other flight deck crew operating the service. He and Captain Patrick De Roeck attended the reception ceremony on arrival.

Powered by American aircraft engine maker Engine Alliance's GP7200 engines, Emirates' A380s have a range of up to 9,320 miles and offer better fuel economy per passenger mile than most hybrid passenger cars. The A380 is also quieter – both inside and outside of the cabin – generating less than half the noise of other aircraft on take off.

All cabins feature Emirates' award-winning ICE (information, communication, entertainment) inflight entertainment system.