Emirates is celebrating the launch of the long-anticipated inaugural flight of its first Airbus A350. Having departed Dubai for Edinburgh just after 3pm on Friday, flight number EK023 is being operated by the first new model of plane to join the airline’s fleet since 2008.
The wide-body Airbus will operate non-stop to the Scottish capital on a journey expected to take a little more than eight hours. With higher ceilings and quieter cabins, the three-class aircraft can accommodate 312 passengers via 32 lie-flat leather seats in business class, 21 premium economy seats and 259 economy seats.
Boasting better fuel efficiency than any of Emirates' existing jets, the A350-900 is set to boost the airline's medium and long-haul operations. “It offers Emirates a capacity and range that allows us to consider new destinations previously not considered viable,” said Tim Clark, the airline's president, at an unveiling of the jet in Dubai last year.
Emirates' A350 jets are being delivered in two batches. “The first batch of A350 aircraft are designed for flight missions of about 12 hours and later on we will receive our ultra-long-range version which will really take Emirates to new corners of the world, non-stop from Dubai to almost anywhere on the planet except Central America,” added Clark.
What can travellers on the A350 expect?
Scheduled to land in Edinburgh just after 7pm, travellers on board the jet should arrive feeling more rested because, according to Airbus, the A350 has the quietest twin-aisle cabin of any aircraft. In-flight entertainment screens also come with a new “eye-comfort” mode designed to reduce blue light exposure.
Travellers will also notice upgraded technology. Connecting to Wi-Fi should be easier after Emirates invested about $2 million per plane to install improved Wireless Access Points. This means more passengers will be able to connect to the network at the same time, with the potential to get up to 10 times the current total aircraft bandwidth.
In-flight entertainment has gone next level with a 4K HDR cinematic display and a much larger media selection. Travellers can also pair two Bluetooth devices, and use wireless charging points in business class.
Business class has a galley area towards the rear of the cabin where snacks and drinks are available on a self-service basis. There are minibars at each seat, plus improved storage, multiple sockets, a wireless charging port and individual airflow nozzles. Seats are in a 1-2-1 configuration, giving every passenger aisle access.
Premium economy comes with improved storage and larger overhead bins, side cocktail tables, calf and footrests and reclining leather seats. It also has a spacious galley area and is laid out in a 2-3-2 formation.
The economy cabin has an airy sky-blue colour scheme and will likely feel slightly more spacious, as the A350 cabin is five inches wider than the Boeing 787.
What’s next for the Airbus A350?
Friday's launch comes after several delays, but Emirates isn't wasting any time adding more A350 flights to its network. The airline announced on Tuesday that the jet will also operate to Kuwait and Bahrain, with flights to both destinations scheduled to start on January 8.
Emirates plans to service nine destinations across the Middle East, Gulf, West Asia and Europe, including flights to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Colombo, Lyon, Muscat and Bologne. The airline is expecting 64 more A350s to be delivered over the next three and half years, with more destinations to be announced as more aircraft are received.
While the A350 is unlikely to garner the same status as its predecessor, the A380 – the world's largest passenger superjumbo that introduced double-decker flying to the commercial travel industry – it is a significant advancement for air travel.
With an increased range, the A350 can fly some of the longest routes in the world. Singapore Airlines uses the A350-900 on its Singapore-New York service, which spans more than 15,000km and has a flying time of almost 19 hours. Airbus says the ultra-long-range version of its new A350-900 will go even further, with capacity to travel up to 18,000km non-stop.
As one of the most fuel-efficient large wide-body aircraft in the world, the jet, according to Airbus, has a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn and CO2 emissions per seat, when compared to older aircraft models. The jet can reach a maximum speed of 945 kph, rivalling Boeing's 747 and enabling longer flights in a shorter time.
According to French manufacturer, the Airbus A350 aircraft have ability to operate with up to 50 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), although a current shortage of the fuel means that this feature is likely to be underutilised. Airbus says it is aiming for its aircraft to have up to 100 per cent SAF capable by 2030.
The A350 has an optimised cabin pressure of 6,000 feet – up to 2,000 feet less than some other aircraft – which can help alleviate fatigue and jet lag.
Which airlines already operate the A350?
The Airbus A350 has been in service for more than 10 years, with the official delivery of the world’s first A350-900 aircraft in France on December 2014. Qatar Airways was the global launch customer and began operating commercial flights from Hamad International Airport in early 2015.
Several other airlines already operate A350 jets, including Etihad Airways, which started flying its new A350-1000 jet in 2022. This version of the A350 is slightly longer than Emirates' new A350-900 jets and has a slightly higher range. But the ultra-long range version of Emirates' A350-900 looks set to surpass the range of the A350-1000.
The national airline of Abu Dhabi took its inaugural commercial A350 flight to Paris and starting on Friday, travellers can fly on Etihad's new A350-1000s to Chicago, Delhi, Zurich, Mumbai, Paris, Tokyo and Toronto.
Other airlines already operating various versions of the A350 include Singapore Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, with several others awaiting delivery of the jet.
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
THE BIG THREE
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
19 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 5 (2011, 14, 15, 18, 19)
French Open: 2 (2016, 21)
US Open: 3 (2011, 15, 18)
Australian Open: 9 (2008, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
Prize money: $150m
ROGER FEDERER
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 8 (2003, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 12, 17)
French Open: 1 (2009)
US Open: 5 (2004, 05, 06, 07, 08)
Australian Open: 6 (2004, 06, 07, 10, 17, 18)
Prize money: $130m
RAFAEL NADAL
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 2 (2008, 10)
French Open: 13 (2005, 06, 07, 08, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20)
US Open: 4 (2010, 13, 17, 19)
Australian Open: 1 (2009)
Prize money: $125m
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30:
- UAE bt Nepal by 78 runs
- Hong Kong bt Singapore by 5 wickets
- Oman bt Malaysia by 2 wickets
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
MATCH INFO
Alaves 1 (Perez 65' pen)
Real Madrid 2 (Ramos 52', Carvajal 69')
What is a calorie?
A food calorie, or kilocalorie, is a measure of nutritional energy generated from what is consumed.
One calorie, is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C.
A kilocalorie represents a 1,000 true calories of energy.
Energy density figures are often quoted as calories per serving, with one gram of fat in food containing nine calories, and a gram of protein or carbohydrate providing about four.
Alcohol contains about seven calories a gram.
RESULTS
Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
Catchweight 88kg: Mohamad Osseili (LEB) beat Samir Zaidi (COM). Unanimous decision
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
SERIES INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal
Table
The top three sides advance to the 2022 World Cup Qualifier.
The bottom four sides are relegated to the 2022 World Cup playoff
1 United States 8 6 2 0 0 12 0.412
2 Scotland 8 4 3 0 1 9 0.139
3 Namibia 7 4 3 0 0 8 0.008
4 Oman 6 4 2 0 0 8 -0.139
5 UAE 7 3 3 0 1 7 -0.004
6 Nepal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 PNG 8 0 8 0 0 0 -0.458
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
The%20specs
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