Leading UAE airline Emirates, has upgraded its five daily flights to London Heathrow to be served by A380s, two months earlier than expected.

Combined with the daily Manchester A380 service, this will mean the world’s largest A380 carrier will be sending 360 flights to and from the UK each month, making Britain Emirates’ biggest market for A380s, a statement from the airline company said.

Having steadily grown its London A380 operations since its first deployment in December 2008, Emirates originally planned the fifth service to take place from February 1, next year. However, due to increased passenger demand and recent A380 deliveries, Emirates has been able to bring the all-A380 London Heathrow service forward.

“The A380 is known for its quietness, fuel efficiency and luxury; it takes airline travel to a higher level,” said Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates' senior vice president Gulf, Middle East and Iran. “Our customers will now be able to choose from five A380 flights a day to London, as we gradually ramp up our A380 services across the world.

“We know London is an extremely popular destination for travellers in this region and the double decker is a hugely popular aircraft to make the journey.”

“From the award-winning in-flight ice system; the delicious gourmet food prepared by leading chefs; and the personal satellite phones and Wi-Fi; to the Emirates’ A380 Onboard Lounge, our offering is a truly unique and market-leading experience,” he said. “It is easy to see why over 11.5 million passengers globally have flown on an Emirates’ A380; more than the combined populations of the UK cities to which Emirates flies – London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow.”

“We are pleased to welcome Emirates’ extended A380 fleet, and this aircraft upgrade is in line with Heathrow’s ambition to encourage the use of modern aircraft,” said Chris Butler, airline business development director at London Heathrow. “As the world’s largest airliner, which is cleaner, quieter, and more fuel efficient, the A380s drive greater benefits for our passengers and for the environment.”

An A380 has a two deck configuration. On the upper deck there are 14 flat-bed first class private suites with electrically operated doors and 76 fully-flat mini-pods in business class. Downstairs, depending on the configuration, there are 399 or 427 comfortable contoured seats in economy class, spread across four separate cabins.

The A380 in-flight ice system offers more than 1,400 channels of entertainment across all cabin classes, ranging from the very latest movies and television programmes to the most current music and computer games.

To enhance the enjoyment of a movie, music or on-demand game, cabin crew from across the world serve gourmet chef prepared food, as well as some of the world’s finest wines and champagnes. The total weight of food loaded onto all 35 weekly A380 flights from Dubai to London Heathrow will be approximately 35,000kg.

A personal satellite phone is fitted to each seat, which also carries a seat-back sms and email service, along with seat to seat calling and a "My USB" personal picture viewing facility.  If customers want to be connected 24/7, they have Wi-Fi access on all A380s in the fleet.

In first class, passengers can freshen up with a mid-flight shower. Passengers can then close the door and retreat from the world in their private suite, which comes fully equipped with a personal mini-bar, adjustable ambient lighting, and its own vanity table, mirror and wardrobe. If passengers wish to stretch out and sleep, the crew will convert the seat to a fully flat bed with a mattress, ensuring they arrive at their destination totally refreshed.

First class and business class passengers can enjoy beverages and hors d'oeuvres in the Emirates’ A380 Onboard Lounge. Located at the rear of the upper deck, the lounge offers five-star delicacies prepared by some of the world's leading chefs. – TradeArabia News Service