Emirates Is Launching Nonstop Flights Between Newark & Dubai

Smart move. As someone who lives in the Philly area, I'll consider EWR (1:30 away) but not JFK (2:30+).

Lucky,

I saw this press release on the Emirates page regarding new baggage screening rules that involve bags being opened and inspected. It doesn't say if this applies only to passengers checking in at Dubai or if it includes those transiting Dubai as well.

https://www.emirates.com/english/help/travel-updates.aspx#/#3352

People I know who have traveled to the Indian subcontinent from the US (having checked in unlocked suitcases to be TSA-compliant) have complained about items missing from their luggage upon arrival in India.

A red eye to Athens then on to Dubai where you arrive at both in the evening also sounds miserable. Maybe re time that flight a bit?

The reason they ramp up EWR is because with this new plan for reorganization of Air India, there is a good chance that there will be some sort of temporary service suspension or break in long haul svcs as AI changes their AOCs. So Emirates is positioning themselves for both EWR and JFK ops in the case that Air India's nonstops become iffy and pax want options without having to cross state lines

From what I recall, EWR airport can't accomodate A380s anyway so EK had no choice other than to fly the 777.
Nowadays I view EWR as the star alliance airport mainly due to the large presence of UA there (and lack of UA presence in JFK.)
If EK ever offers the new F on this route, I'd definitely fly DXB-EWR then! 🙂

14 hours in 3-4-3 77W 17 inch economy? No thanks. At least it’s much, much better than spending the same time in United Economy. I would be willing to fly this route if it was free, but there’s no way I’m going to sit in United’s 777-300ER 31/17 seats with their miserable recline and dreadful service even if I was paid to do it.

As a Manhattan resident I'm indifferent between JFK and EWR, but this seems like a smart move given the high Indian/south Asian/Middle Eastern populations of NJ. Since Emirates isn't an alliance member I don't really see the downside of diversifying within the greater NYC area.

so excited for Emirates is coming to NJ- no was was I going to JFK to take them... NJ does have a HUGE south asian population that will likely take this flight over Air India because of service and comfort...but they have to improve timings so there are better connections to cities in India. Right now it shows 14 hour layover to get to AMD...if that was the case I'd still do Air India - the smartest thing AI did was how they set the timings for their flights from EWR.

The flight times are horrible in both directions. You better stay up for the entire flight to get your money's worth if you're in first-class.

Is the business-class on the 777 still the interior angled seats in a 2x3x2 configuration?

@ FNT Delta Diamond -- Yes, it is, though in fairness I find the angle to be pretty minimal, so it's one of the few angled products I can actually get comfortable in.

assuming this will significantly reduce nearly 200+ * $17/$12.5 on the tolls between NJ and NY per day easing traffic on the outer bridge crossing and verrazano bridge as well lol

Very glad about this, though it would have been nice to have the fully enclosed first class seats for such a long flight.

You cannot call it a non-stop flight to Dubai when you deplane in Athens. Gate B63 departure from Newark has no lounge access. There is a SAS and Lufthansa, and neither honor Priority Pass nor Centurion access. They may have honored an Emirates Business class ticket, but I was flying economy. Athens is a small airport with no amenities unless you call having a Starbucks a perk. Athens ground staff are local with ZERO boarding control. Emirates could not even announce the new departure gate for the final leg to Dubai when departing the plane in Athens, although it was only two gates down. Calling it a direct flight from Newark to Dubai is false advertising and an unpleasant experience.