DALLAS — Today, Emirates (EK) presented its latest fleet addition, the Airbus A350-900XWB, to the public in Dubai. Airways attended the event to report on EK’s first aircraft type addition since 2008. 

On Monday, EK took delivery of A6-EXA at Toulouse–Blagnac Airport (TLS) at 4:00 p.m. local time and landed at Dubai International Airport (DXB) the day after at 2:26 a.m. local time.

Welcome Aboard

The event started at 10:00 a.m. local time with a speech by Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, in the presence of His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy. 

Emirates has opted not to install its First Class product on board the A350-900XWB fleet. This move confirms the global shift away from First Class cabins, which have been made almost redundant by the high-quality service offered in modern Business Class.

The aircraft has 32 new Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 21 Premium Economy seats, and 259 Economy Class seats, a typical A350-900XWB configuration that resembles the one found in airlines like Finnair (AY) or ITA Airways (AZ).

However, the generous legroom in economy class and the 2-3-2 layout in premium economy elevate the onboard experience. This variant of the A350 carries 312 passengers in three classes. 

Emirates expects to receive a long-range variant soon, accounting for 50 out of the 65 units ordered and will feature a slightly smaller economy-class cabin and a crew rest area.

The airline has installed its latest in-flight entertainment offer, with larger "cinematic" HD displays in all cabins. The connectivity is also improved compared to EK’s existing fleet, with complimentary chat service for all Skywards members. 

Thanks to its reduced fuel consumption, the A350 will allow EK to profitably grow its international network, serving destinations with lower demand.

The aircraft offers just ten more seats than the carrier’s smallest airliner, the Boeing 777-200LR, and a few less than its four-class Boeing 777-300ER. 

Emirates' A350 will commence commercial service on January 3, 2025, on the Dubai (DXB) – Edinburgh (EDI) route.

Emirates’ transformation

The aircraft is the first of 65 A350-900XWBs ordered by the Dubai-based carrier and the first new type to join Emirates’ fleet since 2008. 

At the 2023 Dubai Airshow, Emirates added 15 units to its existing order, totaling 65. At the time, the airline expected to take delivery of the first aircraft in August 2024. However, this only occurred after inevitable delays at the end of November. 

Emirates’ backlog includes over 300 widebody aircraft, including the Boeing 787-8, 787-10, and the Boeing 777X. The latter accounts for 205 orders distributed between the Boeing 777-8 and Boeing 777-9 variants.

Sir Tim Clark, Emirates' CEO, has often expressed concerns about the A350-1000 engines. While Rolls-Royce has been reassuring EK, the airline has yet to order the larger A350 variant amid unsatisfactory on-wing times. However, the airline has yet to order the type. Similarly, delays in the Boeing 777X program have affected the airline. 

Emirates has ordered three full-flight simulators to support the A350 fleet. As of October 2024, the airline had trained nearly 30 pilots and 820 cabin crew members. By the end of November, Emirates expects more than 50 pilots to complete A350 training. 

Comments from Emirates Official

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline & Group, said, “Today is an exciting milestone for Emirates as we showcase our first A350 and usher in a new era for our fleet and network growth.”

“This aircraft sets the stage for Emirates to spread its wings farther by offering added range, efficiency, and flexibility to our network, enabling us to meet customer demand in new markets and unlock new opportunities in the cities that we serve.”

Al Maktoum added, “Onboard, our updated interiors and seating configurations will help us deliver a more elevated and comfortable experience to travelers across every cabin class. The 65 Emirates A350s joining our fleet in the coming years fit into the airline’s broader plans to support our visionary leadership’s Dubai’s D33 Strategy, which will transform the city into a pivotal hub in the global economy by expanding its connectivity and reach.”