Emirates announces London A380 launch date

Middle Eastern carrier Emirates has announced when it will launch the Airbus A380 aircraft on its main route from London.

The double-decker plane will debut on the airline's route between Heathrow Airport and Dubai on December 1st, following its launch on the carrier's Dubai-New York route on October 1st.

Emirates will then roll out the aircraft on its route between Sydney and Auckland on February 1st 2009.

There will 14 first class, 76 business class and 399 economy seats available on the plane on each of these routes.

"Our customers can rightly anticipate an exhilarating experience on the state-of-the-art aircraft, which will be especially appointed and equipped to Emirates' exacting standards," Emirates president Tim Clark remarked.

Singapore Airlines will launch the A380 on its route between London and Singapore on March 18th. The return flight will leave Heathrow Airport at 18:55 GMT and land in Singapore at 15:35 local time the following day.

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