Emirates adds fifth U.S. gateway with new service to Dallas/Fort Worth

Emirates, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, launched its new Dallas/Fort Worth service today. It is the fifth gateway for Emirates in the United States, and the fourth new route to join the airline’s international network so far in 2012.

Emirates will serve Dallas/Fort Worth daily with a Boeing 777 aircraft offering the highest standards of passenger comfort, including private suites in First Class, lie-flat beds in Business Class and generously-sized Economy Class seats. EK221 leaves Dubai daily at 0245hrs, arriving at Dallas/Fort Worth at 0905hrs. The return sector, EK 222, leaves Dallas/Fort Worth at 1150hrs, arriving at Dubai International Airport at 1220hrs the following day.

“The United Arab Emirates is the single largest export market for American goods in the Middle East and trade continues to grow sharply, up more than 20 per cent in 2011 compared to the previous 12 months,” said His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the United States.

“The U.S. is on target to surpass its pre-downturn 2008 record of $14.4 billion in total exports to the U.A.E. and this new Emirates route will spur hundreds of millions more in local economic activity. It will also attract more U.A.E. investment to Texas and more Texas investment in the U.A.E.,” added His Excellency Mr Al Otaiba.

“Emirates’ newest U.S. destination is a thriving and dynamic metroplex, which is home to one of the highest concentrations of Fortune 500 companies in the country,” said Nigel Page, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, The Americas. “A direct link with Dubai will open new vistas for North Texas, with key trading and business centres in the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent now just one stop away.”

The new Emirates daily service to Dubai is a monumental development for DFW Airport, because it opens up a key region of the world for the citizens of Dallas/Fort Worth," said Jeffrey P. Fegan, CEO of DFW International Airport. "We are very pleased to have Emirates, one of the world's most highly regarded airlines, connecting DFW and Dubai, two of the world's top airport hubs."

“This daily flight is a big deal for both North Texas and our partners in the U.A.E.,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price. “Our world is getting smaller, and it’s crucial that we take advantage of every opportunity to expand our global business and tourism presence. This connection certainly does that. Fort Worth is excited about the doors that will open thanks to this daily connection with our partners in Dubai.”

On board today’s inaugural flight from Dubai were Nigel Page, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, The Americas, Ali bin Salem Al Mahmoud, Chairman of the Sharjah Economics Department, and John Podgore, President, American Business Council. Upon landing, the Emirates delegation was met by over 100 business leaders from the Dallas/Fort Worth region.

Dallas/Fort Worth becomes Emirates’ 121st global destination. Customers flying Emirates from Dallas/Fort Worth will be able to connect seamlessly to points across the Far and Middle East, Indian sub-continent and Africa via the airline’s state-of-the-art hub in Dubai.

“Not only does our new Emirates service offer the fastest commercial journey times between North Texas and the Middle East, but also the most comfortable and entertaining experience in the sky,” added Mr Page.

Adding to the ease of travel, passengers can use emirates.com to book great rates for hotel and car rentals. Whether looking for a holiday at Disney properties, or an exclusive trip to Atlantis in either the Bahamas or Dubai, Emirates has access to over 23,000 hotels worldwide to meet every traveller’s need. Hotel and cars can be simply added to an existing Emirates flight booking, through the airline’s Manage a Booking section, or arranged without booking a flight at all.

Passengers travelling with Emirates to its six gateway destinations in the US are also be able to connect directly through to many other US cities through the airline’s extensive airline partnerships.

Emirates Holidays, Emirates’ tour operating arm, will feature Dallas/Fort Worth in its 2012 A World of Choice brochure. The annual brochure features over 100 destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Indian Ocean, Asia, Australasia, Europe and the Americas. Three hotels and resorts in Dallas/Fort Worth will be included in the brochure, as well as additional properties available on request.

Emirates will continue to expand its network over the coming months. In addition to the new Dallas/Fort Worth service, flights to Lusaka and Harare started yesterday; Seattle will launch on 1st March, Ho Chi Minh City on 4th June and Barcelona on 3rd July.

EK 221 touched down at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport at 8:45 am local time and received the traditional water cannon salute.

Nigel Page, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations for the Americas, speaking at the media event at DFW Airport to a packed audience of over 100 local VIPs and media. Standing with him on the podium is a member of the Emirates flight crew and a DFW Airport Ambassador.

Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price scanning the channels on the in-flight entertainment system.

Initial service of Emirates (EK/UAE) 221 (DXB-DFW) and 222 (DFW-DXB) was operated by A6-EWA, a B777-21H(LR).

Detailed Flight Information:

Dubai (DXB / OMDB) - Dallas - Fort Worth (DFW / KDFW) - Dubai (DXB / OMDB):

UAE0221 DXB-DFW 02:45 09:05 - B77L
UAE0222 DFW-DXB 11:50 12:20 +1 - B77L 

 

Source: Emirates.com (06/02/2012).