Dubai, Emirates Airlines announced today it has started an Airbus A320 daily non-stop service to Tokyo Narita International becoming the 19th airport on airlines' network to utilize the A380. The aircraft has a seating configuration of 399 in economy, 76 business and 14 first classes.

The Emirates A380 service will provide a 38% increase in capacity, equivalent to an additional 135 seats on every flight to Dubai.

Richard Jewsbury, Emirates’ senior vice president, commercial operations Far East & Australasia, said “Many Japanese travelers already know what a great aircraft the Airbus A380 is, but the Emirates A380 is a different proposition.

“We have redefined air travel with amazing features such as an on-board lounge and shower spa and, as the only A380 operator in the market to offer passengers these services, the Emirates A380 truly is an unrivalled flying experience. Combine this with ice, our award-winning inflight entertainment system which includes 40 Japanese channels, world-class service and gourmet cuisine, all tailored to Japanese passengers, as well as a network spanning six continents, and you have a product which I am sure will be extremely popular.”

“It is with great pride that we are strengthening our commitment to Japan in the same year as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of operations.

“Although travel and trade was severely impacted by the Great East Japan Earthquake, Emirates believed in Japan’s ability to recover quickly and while other operators scaled back services, we kept faith in our growth strategy and increased the frequency of our Narita-Dubai flights. Now, with the addition of our A380, Japan can look forward to trade and tourism being further stimulated between destinations across our network.

“The aviation authorities of Japan and the UAE recently met and agreed on a liberal framework that will permit Emirates to progressively add services to Japan. We are very grateful that the Japanese Government has recognised our commitment. We also value the longstanding partnership that we have with Japan Airlines. We have a code share agreement with JAL on both our Osaka and Tokyo services and look forward to building on this.”

Makoto Natsume, president and chief executive executive of Narita International Airport Corporation added, “As a representative of Narita International Airport, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Emirates Airline for choosing the Narita route among the numerous destinations within its international network to introduce the Airbus A380, the latest and largest aircraft in the world.

“I’m expecting that the Emirates A380 on the Narita-Dubai route will be the bridge between the Middle East and Japan and further promote interactions between the regions. We intend to strive to make our airport greater to welcome more customers.” 

EK 319 departs Narita at 22:00 hrs and arrives in Dubai at 04:15 hrs the following day. The return flight - EK 318 - departs Dubai at 02:50 hrs and arrives at 17:35 hrs. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, EK319 departs Narita at 21:20 hrs and arrives in Dubai at 03:10 hrs the following day.