Emirates to Launch A380 Flights to Manchester

Dubai-based Emirates Airline is to launch Airbus A380 flights to Manchester in England. A 517-seat version of the giant aircraft will serve Manchester from 1 September 2010 - as the airline marks a double decade of service to the city. The A380 will replace Boeing 777 aircraft on EK017 from Dubai and EK018 out of Manchester.

Manchester Airport's Managing Director, Andrew Cornish, said, "Emirates' decision to operate daily A380 services between Manchester and Dubai represents an historic moment for this airport and the region that we serve. We have invested close to £10 million (AED 54.8 million) in upgrading the airfield and terminal, both to accommodate the aircraft itself and to create a fitting environment for Emirates' customers, whether it is at check-in, using the airline’s executive lounge or at the gate area."

Emirates is currently operating eight A380s. They serve London Heathrow, Toronto, Paris, Jeddah, Bangkok, Seoul, Sydney and Auckland.

The popular aircraft type offers an Onboard Lounge for First Class and Business Class passengers, with a wide range of drinks and canapés, as well as the space to socialise or simply relax.

The whole of the upper deck is dedicated to premium passengers. Towards the front, First Class passengers can relax in one of 14 flat-bed, massage-equipped Private Suites. These incorporate remote-controlled doors, a work desk, a 23-inch digital widescreen TV, and an electrically controlled mini-bar.

In Business Class, fully-flat seats all have aisle access, a mini-bar, lap top and shoe stowage and a very useful personal side table. As with First Class, Gourmet dining comes with bone China.

In Economy Class, the straight walls give the impression of increased spaciousness, along with a 32” seat pitch which is one of the most generous on the market.

Available to all onboard is Emirates’ award-winning ‘ice’ (information, communication, entertainment) in-flight entertainment system which offers more than 1200 channels of on-demand entertainment.

In October, an AED 8.2 million Emirates Lounge was opened at Manchester International Airport, bringing a welcomed travel sanctuary to the airline's premium travellers.

Emirates has two flights a day to Manchester. The A380 flight - EK017 - departs Dubai at 0755hrs and arrives in Manchester at 1225hrs. The return flight - EK018 - leaves Manchester at 1410hrs and gets into Dubai at 0015hrs the following day.

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