Emirates Commences Daily Nonstop Dubai Service at Orlando International Airport


From left, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, and Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Chairman Frank Kruppenbacher, host a press conference to celebrate the launch of daily nonstop service between Orlando and Dubai Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015; Orlando, Fla. (Mark Baratelli/The Daily City)


From left, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, and Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Chairman Frank Kruppenbacher, host a press conference to celebrate the launch of daily nonstop service between Orlando and Dubai Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015; Orlando, Fla. (Gary McCullough/AP Images for Emirates)
























Emirates Airbus A380 arrived at the Orlando International Airport for the first time ever and was greeted with two water cannons, a tradition for welcoming a new plane. Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015; Orlando, Fla. (Mark Baratelli/The Daily City)



It's the first A380 to ever touch down at the airport. Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015; Orlando, Fla. (Mark Baratelli/The Daily City)

Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Chairman Frank Kruppenbacher, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015; Orlando, Fla. (Gary McCullough/AP Images for Emirates)






By Mark Baratelli

Emirates (Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook) Tuesday morning commenced daily nonstop passenger service between Dubai and Orlando International Airport.

On the special occasion of its Orlando launch, Emirates dispatched its flagship aircraft – an Airbus A380. The inaugural Emirates flight was the first A380 service to touch down at Orlando International Airport. 

The jet features two Shower Spas and the signature Onboard Lounge, which offers passengers a space for socializing over fine wines, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and delicacies prepared by five-star chefs.

Regular scheduled service on the Orlando route will be offered on the U.S.-built Boeing 777-200 LR aircraft. Emirates operates 143 Boeing 777’s, the most of any airline in the world. The plane seats 266 in the following manners: 
  • 8 private First Class Suites
  • 42 Business Class lie-flat beds
  • 216 spacious Economy Class seats
First Class and Business Class passengers can also travel to and from the airport (up to a distance of 90 miles around Orlando International Airport) via Emirates complimentary Chauffeur-drive service.

Parents flying with children are well-attended with access to free strollers at Dubai International Airport, a choice of children’s toys, specially prepared children’s meals and dedicated children’s channels on board to keep younger passengers entertained.

This airline will have a $100 million annual economic impact to Central Florida.

Emirates’ daily flight EK220 will depart Orlando International Airport Terminal B at 2:20 p.m. and arrive into Dubai International Terminal 3 at 12:30 p.m. the following day, with a flying time of 14 hours and 10 minutes. The return flight, EK219, will depart Dubai at 3:50 a.m. local time and arrive in Orlando at 11:40 a.m., a flying time of 15 hour and 50 minutes.
Since 2004, Emirates has carried more than 11 million passengers on its U.S. flights. 

The aircraft on this route (Dubai to Orlando) has the capability to carry more than 17 tons of cargo in each direction every day, which will support Florida’s export market.

Florida welcomed more than 97 million visitors last year and every 85 tourists creates another Florida job.

The state is investing $145 million at the Orlando International Airport to expand the South Terminal Complex to to increase domestic and international air service, like the new Emirates flight.