Canterbury travellers will save around two hours in flight time and have one less stopover when flying to Europe with Emirates from next month.
Commencing 30 October, the airline will replace its Boeing 777-300ER on daily services from Christchurch to Dubai with its A380.
In addition to adding around 700 extra seat per week between the two cities, the aircraft will also operate on a different route, which will save around two hours in flight time and cut out one stopover.
Image: Emirates
Currently, the airline flies from Christchurch to Sydney then onwards to Bangkok before arriving in Dubai. However, with the aircraft switch, Emirates will remove Bangkok from the journey, which will in turn reduce total flight time from Christchurch to Dubai and then Europe by two hours.
Who doesn’t love a shorter flight?
Operating the A380 to the city will also give travellers the choice of three classes – Economy, Business and First – unlike the Boeing, which only offers Economy and Business.
In First Class passengers can expect complete privacy insuites as well as enjoy a refreshing shower in the Onboard Shower Spa, canapes and cocktails, gourmet cuisine and free wi-fi.
Image: Emirates
Outbound EK412 will depart Dubai at 10:15 hours, seamlessly connecting with southbound services from European destinations such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, Manchester and many more of Emirates’ 38 Europe services. EK412 will stop only in Sydney before arriving in Christchurch at 13:50 hours the next day (local time). The return flight EK413 will depart Christchurch at 18:45 hours, touching down in Dubai at 05:15 hours the next day after its stop in Sydney.
The launch of the Christchurch A380 flights will coincide with the introduction of the A380 on Emirates’ daily non-stop route between Dubai and Auckland. Emirates currently also operates three other daily A380 services between Auckland and Dubai and beyond via Australia (Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane).
