Emirates reached a notable milestone on Saturday as its first Airbus A350 officially entered commercial service, debuting on the Dubai–Edinburgh route. Combining advanced cabin design, enhanced passenger comfort, and the airline’s renowned onboard service, the A350 represents a new chapter for Emirates.
The aircraft, outfitted with Emirates’ latest cabin features, is the first of 65 A350s set to join its fleet in the coming years.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the significance of this launch:
“This is a defining moment for Emirates as we welcome the Airbus A350 into our operations. Choosing Edinburgh for its maiden flight underscores the UK’s strategic role within our network. With state-of-the-art inflight products and thoughtful enhancements in every cabin, the A350 reflects our commitment to setting new benchmarks for air travel as we expand our fleet.”
Kate Sherry, Chief Commercial Officer (Aero) at Edinburgh Airport, celebrated the occasion:
“Welcoming a brand-new aircraft like the A350 to Edinburgh Airport is the perfect way to begin 2025. Emirates selecting this route for the A350’s inaugural journey underscores their confidence in our market. This aircraft brings modern innovation to the forefront, raising the bar for passenger experience.”
Highlights of the Emirates A350
Emirates’ Airbus A350 showcases cutting-edge cabin design and prioritizes passenger comfort. Key features include:
A redesigned Economy Class cabin offering greater comfort.
Upgraded Business Class and Premium Economy cabins.
Ultra-responsive 4K and 4K HDR touchscreens with superior image quality.
Wider aisles and extra-high ceilings in all cabins.
Fast, seamless Wi-Fi with uninterrupted global connectivity.
As one of the most fuel-efficient widebody aircraft in service, the A350 also boasts the quietest twin-aisle cabin in its class. Emirates has configured its A350 with 312 seats across three spacious classes: 32 next-generation lie-flat Business Class seats, 21 Premium Economy seats, and 259 generously pitched Economy Class seats.
In the months ahead, the A350 will be deployed to eight additional destinations, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kuwait, Bahrain, Colombo, Lyon, Muscat, and Bologna.
Edinburgh: Gateway to Global Connectivity
The introduction of the A350 coincides with Emirates’ strong focus on Scotland. Following the resumption of Edinburgh services in November 2024, Emirates now operates 14 weekly flights to Scotland, including an A380 service to Glasgow. These flights connect Scottish travelers to over 140 global destinations.
Flight EK23 departs Dubai at 14:50, arriving in Edinburgh at 19:05. The return flight, EK24, leaves Edinburgh at 20:40, arriving in Dubai at 08:05 the following day.
Culinary Delights on the Inaugural Flight
Passengers on the first A350 flight were treated to a menu celebrating Scottish flavors.
Business Class highlights included:
Broccoli and Lanark Blue cheese soup.
Scottish smoked salmon dome paired with caviar and citrus dressing.
Seared Angus beef fillet from Aberdeen.
Balmoral chicken with tatties and neeps.
Cranachan cheesecake with raspberry coulis.
Economy Class passengers enjoyed:
Potato champ salad with smoked salmon.
Cheddar cheese served with Nairn’s oat biscuits.
Walker’s shortbread biscuits.
With the launch of the A350, Emirates reinforces its commitment to innovation, customer comfort, and global connectivity, setting the stage for a new era in air travel.
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