Emirates cuts two Airbus A380 flights to Sydney, Melbourne

By David Flynn, September 28 2018
Emirates cuts two Airbus A380 flights to Sydney, Melbourne

Emirates is shaking up its Australian schedule, with two Airbus A380 flights to Sydney and Melbourne being swapped for the less-salubrious Boeing 777-300ER.

The Qantas partner is also making changes to its sole daily Adelaide-Dubai service and temporarily trimming the number of flights between Perth and Dubai.

An Emirates media statement issued to Australian Business Traveller outlined the changes listed below, adding these "decisions were made after a recent review of our operations, which was undertaken to ensure the optimal commercial utilisation of our aircraft fleet."

Update [2/10/18}: an Emirates spokesperson has advised Australian Business Traveller that none of the Boeing  777-300ERs which will be replacing Airbus A380s on flights from Sydney and Melbourne will be fitted with the Gulf carrier's swanky new first class suites.

Emirates flights: Sydney-Dubai

The daily EK416/EK417 flight between Sydney and Dubai – a flagship service which has historically featured the Airbus A380, although a Boeing 777-300ER was temporarily rostered on from July 1 through to October 27 2018 – will now stay locked on the Boeing 777 rather than return to the superjumbo.

Losing the superjumbo on this flight not only means losing the popular inflight bar, but fewer business class seats – which on the Boeing 777-300ER are in the less-popular 2-3-2 layout – plus fewer first class suites (and no first class shower).

Emirates flights: Sydney-Bangkok-Dubai

Another of Emirates' Airbus A380s will leave Australian skies from January 15 2019, with the daily EK418/EK419 service connecting Sydney, Bangkok and Dubai shifting down to a Boeing 777-300ER.

Emirates flights: Melbourne-Singapore-Dubai

A third Emirates superjumbo getting the axe is EK404/EK405, the A380 which flies daily between Melbourne, Singapore and Dubai.

This will be wound back to a Boeing 777-300ER as of January 15 2019 (the same swap will also briefly be seen  between November 2 and November 20 2018).

However, a spokesperson for Emirates has revealed to Australian Business Traveller that as of January 15, "another flight between Dubai and Singapore will be upgraded to an A380" – which will see two Dubai-Singapore flights on the A380 and two on the Boeing 777.

Emirates flights: Adelaide-Dubai

Emirates' sole daily flight between Adelaide and Dubai (EK440/EK441) will drop from a Boeing 777-300ER to the Boeing 777-200LR from October 28 to November 30 2018, as well as February 1 to April 15 2019.

There is, however, some upside: this Boeing 777-200LR will be one of the jets fitted with the refreshed 2-2-2 business class seats (shown below) instead of the more common 2-3-2 configuration.

However, this win for business class passengers is a loss for first class flyers, as the process of upgrading each Boeing 777-200LR sees its first class suites removed.

Emirates flights: Perth-Dubai

Emirates currently has two daily flights between Perth and Dubai, but this will be dropped to 11 flights per week from November 7 to November 30 2018, and February 5 to April 15 2019.

The affected flights are EK424/EK425 – between those dates listed above, EK424 will run only on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

There's no change to the daily Airbus A380 service of EK420/EK421.

David

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.

QF

24 Jan 2016

Total posts 25

I've taken EK418/9 many times both on Y and J. The loads on an A380 usually are light-medium so I can see why they're changing. The early evening departure from SYD is great for getting in a day's work before heading off, but the thought of a 10-abreast 777 in Y means I'll almost definitely use QF or TG day flights to BKK after the change.

Joe
Joe

03 May 2013

Total posts 670

The 1.40AM arrival time into BKK was always a deal breaker for me despite inferior QF330 V EK380.

30 Aug 2013

Total posts 439

I was always amazed there was any demand for first class to Adelaide.

25 Apr 2018

Total posts 1

Really? I have clients who fly it all the time!

Qantas

02 Sep 2015

Total posts 37

I'm on a march first class trip 404 and 405. So what happens now there is no first class

QF

24 Jan 2016

Total posts 25

The 777-300's have First Class.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Nov 2011

Total posts 362

Nothing, there is still F on the 777-300ER

Qantas

02 Sep 2015

Total posts 37

I mean no showers on the 777

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

27 May 2016

Total posts 1

You might want to take a shower at home before flying!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

03 Oct 2018

Total posts 6

Quotation first:


"What a glum piece of news that 'none will be fitted with the swanky new First Class'. Yet the positives are not insignificant: taller suite walls, no need to be tangled with the idea of whether to take an in-flight shower or not, introvert friendly removal of bar, much more viewer friendly (less thick and bigger) windows and potentially more personalised service due to reduced suite numbers... Blah, blah, blah, sounds familiar? Stockholm Syndrome? However, as the old saying goes: 'I would like to have nice things and more choices available, yet I reserve my rights to choose or not to choose.' Quoted by my then 16 year old high school mate. The pros and cons of B777-300ER vs A380-800 is irrelevant here. The real issue is that Emirates took away the choices for many who have already paid (for with a significant sum of hard earned cash, mileage or both). While so many here are mocking the guy who missed his shower above the clouds, who has in fact thought of The Spirit of Contract? Enough said."

Paying £4,933.02 LHR-DXB-SIN-MEL one way, @NBShone has every right to whinge about a privilege being taken away while it was paid for in the first place.

What is wrong with that?

The thumbs down upstairs and the thumbs up downstairs are just beyond me.

Are we all becoming so cynical and carrying the miso-affluence mentality without even realising it?

The airlines did the wrong thing by not honouring what was originally promised and we all start pointing fingers at the paying passengers......

28 Feb 2011

Total posts 4

It seems "contract" does not and never has applied to the airline industry. Not sure why.... But it just doesn't.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Nov 2011

Total posts 362

Perhaps there is a chance that 404/405 gets the new F. That would be nice...

Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles

08 Jun 2014

Total posts 263

This is due to Runway upgrades at Dubai?

17 Nov 2011

Total posts 27

Don't think so. The runway closure is only 45 days in April/May 2019, while the schedule changes are for other times: https://www.dubaiairports.ae/corporate/media-centre/fact-sheets/detail/southern-runway-rehabilitation-programme

Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles

14 Apr 2013

Total posts 326

Does this mean the SYD - CHC - SYD becomes a B777 service?


01 Apr 2014

Total posts 116

The non-stop DXB-SYD flights continue to be operated by A380, of which the SYD-CHC-SYD is a continuation of the EK412 / EK413 and therefore still scheduled for the A380 at this stage.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

20 May 2016

Total posts 4

I'm very surprised EK404 is swapping to 777. I fly this route often and it always appears to be quite full in business, a good mix of those joining in Singapore and those continuing on from Dubai. I've also seen frequent operational upgrades at the gate from economy to business which might not be so common now. I often book either EK404 or QF38. Based on this change, I'll make sure to only book QF38 in business from next year.

Emirates is lessening the number of seats they carry between Australia and various points in South East Asia, then (since they're downgauging the indirect flights to SYD/MEL via BKK/SIN).

I guess that will help keep the load factors (and/or prices) on QF's services to BKK and SIN up.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

02 Jan 2015

Total posts 71

The EK404/405 downgrade is disappointing. I enjoyed the A380 service to Singapore later in the day. I'll just book QF37 now

29 Sep 2018

Total posts 4

So what happens if I'm on a Qantas award booking on ek425 in first class. Am i better off trying to find another award seat or wait till I hear from Emirates?

01 Apr 2014

Total posts 116

If you booked an award seat on EK425 First Class, those flights will still operate with a First Class cabin, albeit not on every day of the week. Best to contact QFF service centre if your flight is on one of the days being cancelled and they will liaise with EK.
TIP: if you are ticketed by QF (ticket starting with 081) and have the 6 character QF booking reference, there is also a separate 6 character EK booking reference for the EK system. Always a good idea to also ask the QF call centre for your EK booking reference, as you can use this to allocate seating via EK website or call centre. Even in First, I have found the QF seat allocations for EK metal don't always stick or are only treated on a request basis, but using the EK booking reference via EK always ensures you get the First seat you request. Hope that helps.

29 Sep 2018

Total posts 4

My tickets are all confirmed. It took 5 hours of live chat and 4 hours on the phone to get the tickets booked.


My flight is on a Monday so the flight ek425 looks to be affected.

I just live chatted with Emirates and was informed that the flight is still on.

Any idea how long it takes for the flights to be actually cancelled after a media release like this?

DGP
DGP

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Jan 2012

Total posts 172

Did you know, that if you have a QF booking on an EK operated flight, you can go to the EK website and use your QF Booking Reference and it will automatically take you to the EK booking. I have tested this many times and it works. It is supposed to work in reverse as well, but I have not tested that way.

01 Apr 2014

Total posts 116

Article states: EK424will run only on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
Given the EK424 DXB-PER on a Sunday actually arrives into PER after midnight on a Monday, and the reciprocal EK425 (same airframe) you are booked on departs Monday AM, I think you will be OK looking at those schedules, but check with the airline if still unsure.

29 Sep 2018

Total posts 4

That's actually a very valid point. I didn't think of it that way. Thanks for that.


I'll keep investigating for the moment and see what happens.

Cheers.

17 Sep 2015

Total posts 388

Surprising that the SYD and MEL changes are from 15 January 2019, as inbound loads (to Oz) should normally be extremely high as a percentage of available seats until the end of January due to Christmas school holidays.


Why aren't the changes occurring on 1 Feb like the ADL alteration?

Are these changes also because EK is under pressure from too big a fleet for demand?

04 Jun 2018

Total posts 19

Passenger loads on EK424/EK425 outside of peak travel periods are extremely low - I've seen as low as 90pax mid-week earlier in the year so the scale down of services doesn't surprise me at all (actually it wouldn't surprise me if the service becomes seasonal only in 2019).

24 Aug 2011

Total posts 1208

There was a time about a year ago when EK said they were aiming for a time when all their AU services were on the A380. I guess such an aim may still exist but has been deferred for at least a few years.

27 Jan 2016

Total posts 6

We will miss lovely A380 by 2 days. :(. Not sure if 787-200R are in 2-2-2 or 2-3-2 configuration. Who can confirm?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

15 Mar 2015

Total posts 59

Unfortunately our flight has changed to the old angled 2-3-2 configuration

01 Jun 2017

Total posts 16

EK418 DXB BKK SYD becomes EK417 SYD DXB on A380. EK416 DXB SYD becomes EK419 SYD BKK DXB on A380. Unless Emirates is also reducing EK416 and 417 to 777-300ER or removing SYD-CHC-SYD altogether, there is no way it could reduce the sector with the BKK stopover to a 777-300ER. It is sad to see these flights are winding back to 777-300ER.


It is clear now that doing a stop over is not only messy in terms of bookings, but also rostering of crew. Looks like the way to go is for Emirates to focus on point to point flights. DXB-KUL-MEL (with KUL stopover) was also axed. The other flight Emirates is axing is DXB-CMB (Colombo)-SIN. This flight captures the market of passengers from Colombo to Melbourne via Singapore. With AirLanka doing a direct dash between CMB-MEL, Emirates' market has shrunk. With this, it makes sense EK404 and 405 which are used to ferry passengers to and from Colombo need to be reduced with lower demand now.

01 Oct 2018

Total posts 1

Beginning December the EK416 / 417 was supposed to be an A380. This now has switched back to 777. I contacted Emirates for change out of this flight to EK413 / 414 for three PAX with success. Required quite a lot of negotiation but they were quite helpful in the end.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

08 May 2017

Total posts 4

Our flights have just changed to 777 rom A380 for EK417 in Aug 19. Probably wouldn't have wasted points in F if I knew there was a change come! But I suppose thats the risk you take.

01 Apr 2014

Total posts 116

The F cabin on B777 still has some positives over the A380: The suites are marginally wider on the B777 by about 2cm (not really noticeable, but offset by slightly narrower aisles) and the higher ceiling doesn't curve in as much compared to A380 upper deck. Can't recall, but I think the B777 suite walls are also slightly taller. You often get better service on B777 with only 8 seats versus 14. For flights <12 hours, the Purser normally works First class which I often find results in better overall service. The higher foot traffic going past on A380 aisles to use front stairs is a bit annoying at times.
So unless you really like the novelty of having a shower onboard (when you can get a better shower at the lounges either end), or mixing at the A380 bar, the B777 gives a much more peaceful trip IMHO.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

08 May 2017

Total posts 4

@born2fish - Thanks for the good insight! Totally get/agree with your points. I suppose only because this is our first time flying F I figured it would be great to experience the novelty of the bar and shower on the A380.

Ooooo...Hellojoey...still try to get yourself a flight on an Emirates A380 at some stage (Emirates has the best A380). The A380 is a vastly more comfortable aircraft than B777. Cabin pressure is at a lower equivalent altitude, and if it's a long flight, you notice the advantage of the superior wing design in the amazing stability of the aircraft. Noise levels in the A380 are significantly lower in sound pressure levels, and importantly also at a slightly lower pitch. For best comfort at the other end of all journeys, I've found A380 best. Next best is A350, then I think it's a bit of a toss between B777x and B787.

What a glum piece of news that “none will be fitted with the swanky new First class”. Yet the positives are not insignificant: taller suite walls, no need to be tangled with the idea of whether to take an inflight shower or not, introvert friendly removal of bar, much more viewer friendly (less thick and bigger) windows and potentially more personalised service due to reduced suite numbers... Blah, blah, blah, sounds familiar? Swedish Capital Syndrome? However, as the old saying goes: “I would like to have nice things and more choices available, yet I reserve my rights to choose or not to choose.” Quoted by my then 16 year old high school mate. The pros and cons of 77W vs 388 is irrelevant here. The real issue is that EK took away the choices for many who have already paid. While so many here are mocking the guy who missed his shower above the clouds, who has in fact thought of The Spirit of Contract?Enough said.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

16 Nov 2016

Total posts 23

Stockholm syndrome, hahaha~

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

03 Oct 2018

Total posts 6

I understand totally where you are coming from. The choice of words in the statement where “an Emirates spokesperson has advised Australian Business Traveller that none of the Boeing 777-300ERs which will be replacing Airbus A380s on flights from Sydney and Melbourne will be fitted with the Gulf carrier's swanky new first class suites” does sound obnoxious. People like consistency and change for the better. If it is the other ways around, we will then start looking for excuses to comfort ourselves - a classic phenomenon called cognitive dissonance, which is also more susceptible to beliefs and actions associated with Stockholm syndrome. We vote with our feet and it’s always the little things that count.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

16 Mar 2016

Total posts 4

Booked and paid for 2 first class tickets only days ago based on A380 suite etc. Syd-Dubai-Lon.

Not happy - are they flying any A380 on the Syd-Dubai route?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

08 May 2017

Total posts 4

EK415 is still showing an A380, which is the 6am flight out from SYD.

NLF
NLF

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

16 Jun 2016

Total posts 16

Both 415 (0600hrs) and 413 (2110hrs) will remain as A380 ex SYD.

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

07 Sep 2012

Total posts 148

David....I think you'll find that EK404/405 from MEL-SIN-DXB is scheduled to return to an A380 at the end of March 2019

24 Oct 2010

Total posts 2559

We're just reporting what we have been advised by Emirates PR, and they didn't call out an end-date for that swap.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Oct 2015

Total posts 5

I am booked on this flight on 6 April and can confirm it has been changed to a 777.

29 Sep 2018

Total posts 4

We're booked on the 5th of April and it's also a 777 instead of the 380 we booked.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

18 Jul 2017

Total posts 30

So what is the big deal on missing a shower on the A380. On my return to Sydney from DXB 3 weeks ago in F I was advised that one is only permitted 3 mins of in shower time. That ain't long!!!

01 Apr 2014

Total posts 116

Normally the Shower Suites are allocated in 30 min blocks, with total of 20-25 mins allowed (5mins of that is actual water allocation timer in the shower which you can stop and start at your discretion), and the remaining 5 mins to allow the CSA's to clean up for the next person. If you only got 3 mins, there may have been considerations for the onboard water supply, or the other suite may have been out of action. All that said however, I have been offered extra water time previously when F Cabin is not full, or others haven't pre-booked shower times. The 5 minutes water time doesn't sound like much, but it's really plenty. First world problems I know.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

31 Jan 2014

Total posts 14

I recently flew Emirates A380 First MEL/DXB return and was the only passenger in first on the AMEL/DXB leg and only 4 pax on the return flight - it was very nice having the entire First Class Crew and 2 showers at my disposal on the outbound leg 😁 Business Class was also sparsely populated on both legs so I’m not surprised at this decision by Emirates.

17 Sep 2015

Total posts 388

There seems to be repeated comments if one searches hard enough that yields tend to be lower to and from MEL than SYD, despite the former experiencing greater overall growth in international passenger traffic (not an EK-specific comment: I'm referring to the whole suite of airlines that fly to and from Oz).

10 Apr 2012

Total posts 1

Noticed today our EK419 flight to BKK on 23/11/18 is now a 77W so it appears this is starting earlier than January '19 or perhaps for this period. Oh well. A bit disappointing.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

18 Jul 2017

Total posts 30

Question for members, can one use QF FF points on Emirates flights to UK through DXB?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

18 Jul 2017

Total posts 30

Members, in addition to my previous request, can one use QF FF points on Qatar flights to LHR?

24 Apr 2012

Total posts 2447

DAREing: The answer to both of your questions is ‘yes’. The advice about only being able to use points to book codeshare routes on Emirates is incorrect, and likewise, Qantas and Qatar are Oneworld partners, so you can use points to book Qatar flights. Just search where you want to fly via the Qantas website and available flights will appear, or you can also call Qantas if you need help.

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

07 Sep 2012

Total posts 148

DAREng...you can use QFF points to purchase EK tickets (but not upgrades) as long as you book through the QF website and the flight is a EK/QF codeshare. Don't think you can do the same with Qatar flights.

12 Apr 2017

Total posts 24

Hi David

Can you please keep an eye on the Melbourne EK 404/405
Again we booked Emirates Buisness because of the A380 flights to Singapore : I Sincerly hope this is temporary as we fly June to Singapore
Also each time we have travelled the Singapore flight must say has appeared close to full
Mike

06 Nov 2018

Total posts 2

I booked a flight with Emirates business to Bangkok purely for the A380 so it’s a bit annoying it’s changed. I know the article mentions about the first class not being upgraded on the 777’s, but does anyone know if the 777-300ER’s that will do SYD-BKK will include their upgraded business class with the proper flat seats?

01 Apr 2014

Total posts 116

Unlikely on SYD-BKK unfortunately. They were only adding the latest business class product to newly delivered 300ER from late 2016 onwards (which is only about 20 airframes out of 140 in the B77W sub-fleet), along with retrofitting the x10 200LR's at the same time they remove F cabin.. They are mostly scheduled to a handful of European destinations, although some talk of scheduling in the new year to include flights from BNE & PER.

06 Nov 2018

Total posts 2

Thanks for the reply, that’s indeed disappointing. We only did Emirates for the A380 and we live in Melbourne so added effort to go to Sydney first. I was just crossing my fingers for the updated business. I’m not travelling until Feb if that makes me any luckier. Should’ve just gone with Thai airway from Melbourne!

12 Apr 2017

Total posts 24

Good evening David

Is there any more news on the A380 flights tonMelbourne from January 15 Th
Are they going to add any A380 flights or are all going to be 777-300
Cheers Mike

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

07 Sep 2012

Total posts 148

Sutty...two of the three daily Melbourne flights will be A380s (the direct late evening one, and the one that goes via Singapore) while the other direct flight in the early evening will be on the 777.

25 Sep 2013

Total posts 1245

More sad news:


Emirates will suspend flights EK 418/419 between Bangkok and Sydney from 01 June 2019.

Emirates will continue to serve Sydney with three flights a day non-stop to Dubai, and Emirates’ customers wishing to travel between Bangkok and Sydney will have flight choices provided by Emirates’ partner Qantas.

Effective 31 March 2019, Emirates will suspend EK 424/425 and serve Perth with a once daily Airbus A380 service non-stop from Dubai.

Wow things not looking great for the Sydney to Bangkok sector. Qantas no longer has a lounge in Bangkok (although you can use either a OneWorld lounge or the Emirates lounge), Thai reducing to one flight per day, Emirates pulling out completely. Thai need more competition, not less, to encourage them to put decent aircraft on the route.

17 Sep 2015

Total posts 388

During the last few years there's been new nonstops introduced to HKT so that must be crimping demand to BKK.

06 Feb 2019

Total posts 1

We are booked in for EK404 First Class 1 June at 6pm with Singapore stop over, it has 777-300 listed? Will this stay as 777 or change to A380? thanks

12 Apr 2017

Total posts 24

Hi jterz

Same flight same issue as you : would love David to follow up our questions with an Emirates representative
My wife and I are very disappointed
But we are in Buisness not First like you and the difference from A380 to the old model 777-300 which is currently flying in to Melbourne is cheese and chalk
Mike

01 Apr 2014

Total posts 116

The EK404 DXB-SIN-MEL still remains downgraded to B777, although in First the seat is still the same with less number of seats (a positive), albeit no shower suites.
There are also x2 daily EK A380's on the DXB-SIN sector which may be options for you to change onto, although would require long layover in SIN. If you really want A380 all the way through, you could also consider the QF A380 on SIN-MEL which codeshares as EK5036 but still circa 7hr layover. If coming all the way through from DXB, assume you have considered the nonstop DXB-MEL A380 services (EK406 + 408)?
Hope that helps.

Etihad - Etihad Guest

15 Jun 2019

Total posts 1

Emirates has now handed Syd-Bkk to Qantas with it's inferior product offering!

Strangely, at around the same time the Qantas Syd-Bkk fares seem to have increased 30%.
The days of $600 - $800 return Syd-Bkk look to be over thanks to another 'relationship' with Qantas.


Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Emirates cuts two Airbus A380 flights to Sydney, Melbourne