Emirates Launches Longest Flight, Cancels Second Longest Flight

I don't know why EK decided on a direct 77L AKL flight when they're already running 3 half empty A380s out of AKL every day via Australia. It's a worse product in every class.

Hey Ben, in case you missed it:

http://www.ausbt.com.au/qatar-airways-to-fly-airbus-a380-to-sydney-from-june?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=flipper&utm_campaign=home-flipper

I wouldn't mind a super long haul flight, as long as I am in business class at least! No way I'm sitting over 17 hours in economy with a seat inches away.

I never understood the need for Emirates to fly a nonstop to Panama City.

Surely they'll remove at least one of the A380 services via Aus and opt for a quick turnaround of that aircraft in SYD or MEL? Otherwise seems like overkill for such a small city like AKL, especially with our friend Mr Al Baker dropping in soon.

EK does very well on cargo between Auckland and Australia, picks up a decent amount of trans-Tasman traffic and is more expensive for them to park an A380 on ground in Australia which they need to make their connections schedule work. The direct 77L service aims to capture that segment of the market which require transit visas for Australia and who currently have to fly on other airlines, via other ports, to New Zealand.

It was a real stretch from the very beginning. Btw Turkish Airlines starts IST-BOG-PTY-IST flights by 4th May, adding Colombia and Panama to its wide network. (the widest in terms of countries flown to)

I'd think dxb to pty would be great if they'd partner with copa who is clearly the leading carrier in the Central American market. Costa Rica Guatemala Belize Honduras El Salvador Columbia Venezuela all just a short hop from pty.

Guess not. Or maybe there's equally good connections for passengers to go dxb->JFK/Mia/hou->central Amerixa. Who knows.

Panama is awesome. Lucky you need to visit there.