Emirates is now jetting off from Melbourne to Dubai via Singapore
Though not on a superjumbo, the additional flights still deliver plenty of inflight comfort.
By Chris Ashton, March 27 2023
Good things always come in threes. That’s the case for Emirates as its third daily connection from Melbourne to Dubai takes to the sky today. However, in a twist, the flight makes a brief pitstop in Singapore before continuing to the Gulf hub.
The arrival of this latest service means Melburnians now have five options of reaching the Lion City, joining Singapore Airlines and partner Qantas, as well as Scoot and Jetstar.
Although missing the airline’s new premium economy, Emirates’ three class Boeing-777 300 still offers plenty of mile high comfort, with eight suites tucked away behind sliding doors in first class, and 42 lie flat seats in business.
The new Melbourne service is as follows:
- EK405 takes off from Melbourne at 3:25am, touches down in Singapore at 8:15am, before continuing on to Dubai at 9:40am, for a 1pm arrival local time.
- EK404 departs Dubai at 9:15pm, arriving in Singapore at 8:50am. The flight then continues on to Melbourne at 10:25am, arriving at 8:35pm local time.
Unlike the roomier 1-2-1 configuration of the airline’s A380, the 777 variant on this route sports a 2-3-2 layout in business class, meaning those seated in the middle will inevitably have to step past a fellow passenger whenever they need to get up.
The Boeing 777-300ER sports a 2-3-2 layout in business.
Not to be left behind, Sydney is also ramping up to thrice-daily in the coming months, with the non-stop EK417 to Dubai taking off from May 1. Also on a Boeing 777, it joins the existing double-daily A380 flights.
That third Sydney service will operate on the following schedule:
- EK417 sees wheels up from Sydney at 8:10pm, arriving in Dubai at a bleary-eyed 4:30am.
- EK416 jets off from Dubai at 9:30pm, landing in Sydney at 5:20pm the next day.
In November last year, the Qantas partner started an ambitious US$2 billion retrofit of its A380s and 777s. Once complete in 2025, nearly half of its fleet – an impressive 120 aircraft – will feature the new premium economy, in addition to an enhanced first and business class.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Sep 2017
Total posts 163
I’ve never travelled on their B777-300 and not necessarily in a hurry to. Is the privacy screen between J-class seats retractable or fixed?
09 May 2020
Total posts 571
Definitely interesting development and hopefully drive down the charges, although the probably need to pay someone to sit in the middle seat in J class
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2017
Total posts 52
Good to hear of another Melbourne Singapore option. The extra capacity on this route should reflect in lower travel costs across the board with a bit of luck. Also great news that there will be another daytime return option to Melbourne as currently only Singapore Airlines and the dreaded Scoot providing this service.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
21 Jul 2019
Total posts 165
Yes, indeed. It's always nice to get one of the ME3 carriers on their run up to Singapore. Etihad's now cancelled BNE-SIN was a firm favourite, when I felt like switching things up from my usual SQ. I can only hope the ungodly departure time warrants a discount on the fare in the long run. But right now, I still see it being priced the same as day flights due to strong demand, unfortunately.
21 Jun 2018
Total posts 5
Departing Melbourne at 325 am? What a joke! No way!
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
12 Apr 2017
Total posts 207
For you it's not good but works surprisingly well for me and so therefore a few others.
Any extra capacity is what we need right now, pricing is very competitive on the Emirates flights compared to Singapore Airlines and Qantas.
The day flight back is fantastic.
24 Apr 2014
Total posts 271
Emirates early morning departure times really put me off. 0325am!!
25 Jun 2021
Total posts 29
I am on this flight in a few weeks, not the time i would normally pick, but i used points for a 1st class ticket, and we need to go to Singapore for work, so it works out ok. I have done first before on the 777 and its excellent in some ways better than then A380 ( on night flights ) Never flown Int from Melbourne so that will make a change i hope..
02 May 2023
Total posts 1
Hi There, Will be taking this flight in August. Does anyone know if the Emirates buisness lounge in Melbourne will be open for the tired folks on the 2:25am flight?
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