Emirates to remove A340-500 from Australian routes

[Steve Jones]

From the excellent airlineroute.net site:

eff 01JUL10
Dubai – Kuala Lumpur – Melbourne Boeing 777-300ER replace A340-500

eff 01AUG10
Melbourne All Boeing 777-300ER Operation

eff 31OCT10
Dubai – Perth EK424/425 Boeing 777-200LR replace Airbus A340-500 (all 77L op)

eff 01JAN11
Dubai – Brisbane – Auckland Boeing 777-300ER replace Airbus A340-500*

*By 01JAN11, it appears that Emirates will no longer flying Airbus A340-500 on Ultra Long-Haul service

*31DEC10 is the last day of Emirates A340-500 operation to Australia and New Zealand (ex-AKL/BNE 01JAN11)

[Andrew M]

Great news!

[Nathan Long]

If EK are 773 only from MEL, I will no longer fly with them by choice.

[Andi O]

Can the 777-300ER comfortably do the Dubai-East Coast Australia runs? Thought this would be the 777LR domain?

[Rhys Xanthis]

Originally Posted by Nathan Long

If EK are 773 only from MEL, I will no longer fly with them by choice.

Can't blame you at all.

Surprising really, I suppose they are after fuel savings?

[Montague S]

Originally Posted by Nathan Long

If EK are 773 only from MEL, I will no longer fly with them by choice.

word on the street is that Etihad and Qatar are worth a shot...I am thinking of taking QR to France in May.

competitive airfares too...down side is that it's too far from Sharjah.

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Originally Posted by Rhys Xanthis

Can't blame you at all.

Someone want to elaborate as to why they won't fly on the 77W as opposed to a 345???

Surprising really, I suppose they are after fuel savings?

Seeing as a 77W uses about 2/3 the fuel of a 345 for a bigger pax load, I suppose that's a reasonable assumption.

[Nathan Long]

Andrew,

The EK 777s are 10 abreast and the seats are narrower (17") than those on the A345 (17.5") and A380 (18"). Compared to the Air Canada 77L (18.5) and SQ 773 and 77W (19") they feel really tight.

Monty,

Thanks for the tips, we'll see what happens the next time I get sent to London.

[Matt D]

I'm another who has always avoided the EK 777's if having to fly economy. A bit too tight compared to the competition on the same routes.

Matt

[Rhys Xanthis]

Originally Posted by Andrew McLaughlin

Someone want to elaborate as to why they won't fly on the 77W as opposed to a 345???

Seeing as a 77W uses about 2/3 the fuel of a 345 for a bigger pax load, I suppose that's a reasonable assumption.

10 abreast being the problem as others said above.

And I don't know the specifics on fuel burn, I had no idea it was of the magnitude of 2/3 of an A345.

Originally Posted by Montague S

word on the street is that Etihad and Qatar are worth a shot...I am thinking of taking QR to France in May.

competitive airfares too...down side is that it's too far from Sharjah.

Haven't flown EY, but QR is definitely a good option. One of the cheapest ways to get to Europe on a full service carrier is to go QR from SE Asia (eg Singapore).

Use FF Award ticketing or LCC to get to SIN and then QR from there was a tad under $1000 return per adult for us. (excluding the FF taxes).