We’re potentially just over a year from Emirates Airline taking delivery of its first Airbus A350. While there are a lot of unknowns about this jet for the Dubai-based carrier, in this post I wanted to recap everything we do know…
In this post:
Emirates has 50 A350-900s on order
In 2019, Emirates placed a firm order for 50 Airbus A350-900s. For context, Emirates’ fleet currently consists of just over 250 aircraft, including Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s.
The airline then has nearly 200 aircraft on order, spread across three types of aircraft:
- Emirates has 50 Airbus A350-900s on order, expected to be delivered as of 2024
- Emirates has 30 Boeing 787-9s on order, expected to be delivered as of 2025
- Emirates has 115 Boeing 777Xs (including the 777-8 and 777-9) on order, expected to be delivered as of 2025
Historically Emirates was all about fleet consistency, and was focused exclusively on the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777. However, with Airbus A380 production having ended in 2021 (and these planes eventually being retired), and with the Boeing 777X being delayed until at least 2025 (representing a five year delay), the airline knew it had to hedge its bets when it comes to fleet renewal.
Interestingly Emirates had initially ordered both the A350-900 and A330-900neo, but the airline eventually streamlined that order to exclusively include the A350.
Emirates A350-900s will be delivered in late 2024
Emirates was initially supposed to take delivery of its first Airbus A350 in May 2023 (now!). As seems to be the norm in the airline industry nowadays, that has been delayed considerably, and the airline will now be taking delivery of its first Airbus A350 in August 2024 at the earliest.
I imagine that timeline has the potential to slip further. However, it does seem pretty certain that the A350 will be the next new aircraft to join Emirates’ fleet, ahead of the 787 and 777-9.
Emirates A350-900 interiors & passenger experience
Emirates hasn’t yet revealed the layout for its Airbus A350-900s. However, the airline has stated that at least some A350s will be in a three cabin configuration, featuring business class, premium economy, and economy. It’s also possible some A350s won’t feature premium economy, though Emirates may have had a change of heart regarding that, as it aggressively retrofits existing aircraft with this cabin.
The A350s aren’t expected to feature first class, which is an interesting direction for Emirates to take. Emirates has by far the largest international first class footprint of any airline in the world, and currently has first class on a vast majority of its aircraft. That will no longer be the case going forward, it seems.
One big unknown is what kind of a business class product Emirates will install on its A350s. Emirates’ 777-300ER business class is incredibly underwhelming, and Emirates has been pretty tight-lipped about what we should expect from business class going forward.
The airline has hinted that it might just install the carrier’s A380 business class on new aircraft, though personally I remain hopeful that we see something better than that.
One other exciting thing about Emirates’ A350s is that the airline will finally offer high speed Wi-Fi for the first time. Emirates’ A350s are expected to feature Inmarsat’s GX Aviation Wi-Fi. This should represent a massive improvement to Wi-Fi speeds, compared to Emirates’ current OnAir product, which is among the worst in the industry.
Emirates A350-900 routes & destinations
The A350 will be used throughout Emirates’ network, serving everything from short haul to long haul routes. The A350 has incredible range and fuel economy, and is a bit smaller than the 777-300ER (and way smaller than the A380).
You can expect that the plane will primarily be used in lower demand or high frequency markets, especially ones with less premium demand (given that these planes won’t feature first class).
Bottom line
Emirates is expected to take delivery of its first of 50 Airbus A350-900s in the second half of 2024, which is just over a year away. Emirates hasn’t otherwise taken delivery of any new jets in quite some time, so this will be an exciting development for the airline.
As of now there are more questions than answers. What we know for sure is that these planes will feature upgraded Wi-Fi, and will be used for routes both short and long. What remains to be seen is what the onboard product will be like. It’s expected that most A350s will just feature three cabins (with premium economy rather than first class), though it’s also possible that Emirates has had a change of heart, with all the delays we’ve seen.
What are you expecting from Emirates’ Airbus A350s?
Don't give up on 1st class. There are people that will only fly an airline that offers 1st class and I am one of them.
"Historically Emirates was all about fleet consistency"
This is not really the case as until 2016 they operated a myriad of different aircraft and at one point had five different business class configurations accordingly (A330 + A340-300, A340-500, A380, 777 J armchairs, current 777 J).
Not too long ago:
A330-200
A340-300
A340-500
A380
777-200
777-200ER
777-200LR
777-300
777-300ER
Not historically into fleet consistency until...
"Historically Emirates was all about fleet consistency"
This is not really the case as until 2016 they operated a myriad of different aircraft and at one point had five different business class configurations accordingly (A330 + A340-300, A340-500, A380, 777 J armchairs, current 777 J).
Not too long ago:
A330-200
A340-300
A340-500
A380
777-200
777-200ER
777-200LR
777-300
777-300ER
Not historically into fleet consistency until 2016/17 really when it was streamlined to the A380, a handful of 777-200LR's and the 777-300ER workhorses.
The British and their media absolutely adore Emirates. Not sure why they think it if so great.
Emirates is not a premium airline. You will be stuck in that outdated business seat for another 15 years.
Get ready for higher fares and blocking award flights and then reward their staff with 6 monthly bonuses if not a 1-year bonus...
EK's first A350 is MSN 684 in Airbus' production list while the latest A350 that has been delivered is MSN 611 (to Ethiopian). Although aircraft are not delivered in MSN order, there are A350s with MSNs lower than 600 that have still not been delivered but a number of those are ex-SV aircraft that are being sold to AI.
EK simply got cold feet on its A350 order, cancelled it, and then tried to...
EK's first A350 is MSN 684 in Airbus' production list while the latest A350 that has been delivered is MSN 611 (to Ethiopian). Although aircraft are not delivered in MSN order, there are A350s with MSNs lower than 600 that have still not been delivered but a number of those are ex-SV aircraft that are being sold to AI.
EK simply got cold feet on its A350 order, cancelled it, and then tried to reinstate it after it realized the 777X would be so significantly delayed - and is now quite a bit down the production line.
Other airlines are receiving their A350s close to or on schedule so not all A350s are being delayed.
The 777-8 competes directly with the A350-1000 in range and capacity both of which are beyond the range of anything in EK's current fleet but the 777-8 will not be delivered before 2027 and perhaps later.
Qatar and Etihad are flying the A350-1000 now and have more on order -so EK will be at a disadvantage in serving the longest routes from the Middle East for at least 5 years.
Tim Dumb,
The fountain of all knowledge…. Even an expert on the Airbus delivery schedule at a bloated schizophrenic ME mega carrier! Couldn’t last longer than a week keeping his big mouth shut! It was so nice while it lasted!
the only thing that was certain is that you would return under yet another user name because you can't stand that someone else can contribute to a conversation = something you cannot do.
Grow up and contribute to the conversation instead of attacking other users.
Tim Dumb,
This isn’t a new name and you know it. Guess you are easily confused! Either that or you can’t keep track of your detractors! Amazing you like to keep feeding a troll….. perhaps like others have suggested if you ignore me I’ll go away. Why don’t you try that brainiac?!
doesn't matter how many names you use and when you created them, your troll writing style is so deeply ingrained in your DNA that you can be seen from a mile away.
and the fact remains that you have contributed ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to the topic while bashing other users.
Why Ben doesn't block your IP address is beyond comprehension.
Gary doesn't allow your personal attack posts to remain on his site any more.
Tim Dumb,
Sorry to disappoint ya this is my only handle, I have no style because ur right I’m just a troll! Looks like you are seeing me everywhere, seems like I’m the one living in your head rent free….. make u a deal, if you just don’t respond to this post I will never write you or about you again!
You should probably learn something about writing styles before you attack others that find you equally ridiculous.
Gary hasn't deleted one of my posts in a long long time. And, he deleted yours that one time. Keep dreaming.
Per the A350 and EK... I honestly don't care your weird opinions. When it comes to the A350, you've demonstrated your ignorance of how/when to buy new aircraft vs keep old ones long enough. It's painfully...
You should probably learn something about writing styles before you attack others that find you equally ridiculous.
Gary hasn't deleted one of my posts in a long long time. And, he deleted yours that one time. Keep dreaming.
Per the A350 and EK... I honestly don't care your weird opinions. When it comes to the A350, you've demonstrated your ignorance of how/when to buy new aircraft vs keep old ones long enough. It's painfully obvious you've never done anything related to aircraft purchasing from an NPV perspective. Yet you do love to demand an authoritative stance for some reason.
Thanks for the interesting article, Ben.
Emirates has 115 Boeing 777-9s on order, expected to be delivered as of 2025
Not sure it's accurate to state that EK has 115 B779s on order, when IINM neither EK nor Boeing has broken down the composition of their revised order.
EK ordered both the 777-9 and 777-8 with Tim Clark stating they "remain committed" to the 778 even after their most recent reduction from 126 down to 115 aircraft.
EK currently has got the most tighest aircraft flying in the sky, hence are there a possibility for the first 10 across in Full Service Carriers?
“Most tightest aircraft flying in the sky”
You sure about that?
Are you sure about that??
Yes, accross the full service airlines, Emirates has got the most dense planes
The A350 can fit nine seats across, each with an 18-inch width. Ten seats across would necessitate a seat width of 16 inches. We're talking about Emirates and not Ryan Air. So, the answer is no.
Remember the recent A350 cabin widen project?
@Lee
Why would the answer be “no”? You are right this is EK we are talking about…. One of the pioneers of 10 across seating in the 777 (I actually think they were the first) with the exact same seat width as Ryanair!
One of the pioneers of 10 across seating in the 777 (I actually think they were the first)
You are correct, they were the first to do it, and the first to do it fleet-variant wide.
British Airways had several of their Gatwick Based 777s (used for AML vacations) in 10abreast as early as late 1997, and Thai had some of their 772As in that config as well.... but both transferred them back to 9abreast...
One of the pioneers of 10 across seating in the 777 (I actually think they were the first)
You are correct, they were the first to do it, and the first to do it fleet-variant wide.
British Airways had several of their Gatwick Based 777s (used for AML vacations) in 10abreast as early as late 1997, and Thai had some of their 772As in that config as well.... but both transferred them back to 9abreast for nearly a decade before recommitting to the 10abreast seating.
Emirates did it, and never looked back.