Emirates to Increase Chicago Capacity

Emirates will increase passenger capacity on its Chicago route when it switches from Boeing 777-200LR currently operating the route, to a larger Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The change in aircraft will take place on 1 May 2015.

Emirates launched its Chicago service on 5 August 2014. Less than a year later, the route has carried 66,000 passengers and 3,410 tonnes of cargo to date.

The increase in capacity will offer 88 additional Economy Class seats, representing a 33% increase in seating capacity. The choice of premium cabin seats remains unchanged, offering customers a choice of eight First Class Suites and 42 Business Class seats.

“Emirates has seen steady growth and strong customer demand for our Chicago route since its launch only five months ago. The up-gauge to a Boeing 777-300ER in May will introduce Emirates’ unique product and service to even more of our customers,” said Hubert Frach, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations West – Americas, Africa, Europe and Russian Federation. “Chicago is home to 2.7 million residents, making it America’s third-largest city. By increasing capacity in this market, we are able to offering more chance for passengers and businesses to connect, not only with our home and hub Dubai, but also across Emirates’ global network including the airline’s network of 10 cities in India, 17 in the Far East and 24 points in Africa.”

Chicago is home to many of the US’s largest companies, including Boeing, which is a very important partner of Emirates. Emirates is the largest operator of US built Boeing 777 aircraft in the world, with a 777 fleet of 131 passenger and 12 freighter aircraft which contribute towards the airline’s overall fleet of 232 wide-bodied aircraft.

Rich in its cultural heritage, world-class arts establishments, accomplished sports teams and iconic tourist attractions, which attract about 46 million people each year, Chicago surpassed Atlanta’s Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport as the busiest domestic airport in 2014.

Emirates' daily flight EK235 departs from Dubai International Airport at 09:40 and arrives at Chicago O’Hare International Airport at 15:30. The return flight, EK236, departs from O’Hare at 20:30 and lands in Dubai at 19:10 the next day.

Both flights offer connections to and from many of Emirates’ global network of over 147 destinations across six continents.

The passenger service is complemented by Emirates’ dedicated freighter service which operates two times a week from O’Hare.