Emirates to launch 2nd A380 on Heathrow route

Emirates said on Thursday that it will add another A380 to its London Heathrow route from July 1.

The superjumbo, equipped with an on board lounge and shower spas, first launched on the Heathrow route in December 2008 and will become the first to have two double-decker planes committed, the airline said.

In addition to the daily EK001 from Dubai, the A380 will also be deployed on EK003, which leaves Dubai at 2.15pm and arrives in London Heathrow at 6.40pm local time.

Salem Obaidalla, Emirates' senior vice president, Commercial Operations, Europe & Russian Federation, said: "This is an important development for Emirates as this is the first route where we have made a long term commitment to double up on the double-decker."

He added: "London Heathrow was one of the key airports we had in mind when the A380 was first conceived and the new deployment allows more passengers travelling to and from the British capital to experience this remarkable aircraft."

The giant 517-seat aircraft offers 14 flat-bed First Class privat suites with electrically operated doors, 76 fully-flat seats in Business Class - all with mini bars and aisle access, and 427 contoured seats in Economy.

A personal satellite phone is fitted to each seat, which also carries a seat-back sms and email service.

Emirates is now operating eight A380s. In addition to London Heathrow, they fly to Toronto, Paris, Jeddah, Bangkok, Seoul, Sydney and Auckland.

Emirates operates 98 non-stop flights per week to the UK. As well as five flights a day to London Heathrow, it operates daily services to Newcastle and Glasgow, a double daily to Manchester and Birmingham and three flights a day to Gatwick.