Emirates launches A380 on Heathrow flights

Emirates has started using the Airbus A380 to operate flights from Heathrow Airport to Dubai.

On December 1st, the airline launched the superjumbo on flight EK001, which departs Dubai daily at 07:45 and arrives at Heathrow Airport at 11:35, and the return EK002 service, which leaves London at 13:45 and lands in Dubai at 00:30 the following day.

The A380 used on this route is the third of the 58 ordered by Emirates. The carrier is currently the largest customer for the A380.

Tim Clark, president of the airline, said: "We are delighted to bring our customers state-of-the-art comforts which are unmatched anywhere else in the world.

"Despite today's challenging economic environment, they have responded by booking every seat on our inbound and outbound flights."

The Emirates A380 flying from Heathrow Airport to Dubai offers a total of 489 seats on two levels, comprising 14 first class suites, 76 business class seats and 399 spaces in economy.

Emirates is already using two A380s to fly to New York and will deploy the Airbus liner on routes to Sydney and Auckland in February 2009.

• Less than a week until Esta launch
• US connecting flights proving popular at Bristol Airport
• Record year for London City Airport
• Virgin Atlantic to celebrate 25th year
• Record passenger growth for Etihad in 2008
• KLM to turn 90 this year
• Continental to launch new Heathrow flights
• Aer Lingus to launch flights from Gatwick Airport
• British Airways orders 11 new aircraft
• Milestone reached in Birmingham Airport pier project