In February 2024, Emirates announced plans to launch a new daily flight between Miami and Bogota. As someone who lives in Miami, this is a new service that I’m incredibly excited about, to the point that I booked the inaugural. With the new route launching as of today, I wanted to go over all the details of this exciting new service.
In this post:
Emirates adds daily flights to Bogota, Colombia
As of June 3, 2024, Emirates is adding Bogota, Colombia (BOG), to its route network. This is being operated as an extension of Emirates’ existing Dubai (DXB) to Miami (MIA) flight, which is just being retimed a bit. This is a fifth freedom flight, meaning passengers can travel exclusively between Miami and Bogota.
Here’s the schedule for Emirates’ flight between Dubai and Bogota, with the stop in Miami:
EK213 Dubai to Miami departing 2:15AM arriving 10:05AM
EK213 Miami to Bogota departing 12:05PM arriving 3:00PM
EK214 Bogota to Miami departing 5:19PM arriving 10:15PM
EK214 Miami to Dubai departing 12:45AM arriving 11:00PM
For context, Emirates has moved the timing of its Dubai to Miami flight around a bit, to accommodate this new service. Here’s the previous schedule for the Dubai to Miami flight:
EK213 Dubai to Miami departing 3:10AM arriving 11:00AM
EK214 Miami to Dubai departing 9:10PM arriving 7:25PM (+1 day)
Interestingly Emirates isn’t actually adding any extra service between Dubai and Miami, and arguably the times are significantly less convenient for those traveling exclusively between Dubai and Miami. Emirates is using a Boeing 777-300ER for this route featuring 354 seats, including eight first class seats, 42 business class seats, and 304 economy class seats.
For context on the distance and block time of this service:
- The flight between Dubai and Miami covers a distance of 7,845 miles, and is blocked at 15hr50min to Miami and 14hr15min to Dubai
- The flight between Miami and Bogota covers a distance of 1,507 miles, and is blocked at 3hr55min to Bogota and 3hr56min to Miami
- In total, the journey between Dubai and Bogota covers a distance of 9,352 miles, and is blocked at 21hr45min to Bogota and 20hr41min to Dubai
The logic of Emirates adding Miami to Bogota flights
I can definitely see why Emirates is launching this route, and I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of this. Yes, it’s a bit “out there,” but it adds up:
- Emirates previously flew between Dubai and Miami, and the carrier’s 777 sat on the ground in Miami for over 10 hours every day, so the airline could add this route pretty efficiently, with limited opportunity cost in terms of aircraft utilization
- There’s significant cargo demand between Miami and Bogota; so when you consider the cargo capacity of a passenger version of the 777, that could contribute nicely to the success of this route
- Emirates already operates several fifth freedom flights to the Americas, including Athens to Newark, Milan to New York, and Barcelona to Mexico City, so the concept of this isn’t out of character for the airline
- Due to Bogota’s altitude (it’s around 8,600 feet above sea level), Emirates could never fly there nonstop from Dubai, so operating a service like this is the next best option (it’s a similar reason to why Emirates flies from Barcelona to Mexico City)
The United States and Colombia have an Open Skies agreement, allowing Emirates to operate this as a fifth freedom flight, with the ability to sell tickets exclusively between Miami and Bogota. I can see this route being incredibly popular with passengers traveling between South Florida and Colombia.
At the same time, this still doesn’t seem like the most efficient way to travel between Bogota and Dubai (and beyond):
- Bogota and Dubai are 8,478 miles apart, and routing through Miami covers a distance of 9,352 miles, so that’s quite a detour
- If the goal is to be as efficient as possible, it seems much more logical for Avianca and Emirates to establish a codeshare agreement or other partnership, where Avianca would carry passengers from Bogota to Madrid, and Emirates would carry passengers from Madrid to Dubai, as that routing would cover a distance of just 8,508 miles (30 miles above the direct air distance); interestingly the two airlines launched a partnership in recent weeks
- There’s also the general issue of using the United States as a transit hub; the United States doesn’t offer sterile international transit, meaning passengers traveling between Bogota and Dubai need a visa to enter the US, need to clear immigration and pick up luggage in Miami, etc.
One thing is for sure — as a Miami resident, I’m thrilled to be able to fly Emirates first class between Miami and Bogota. 😉
How to book Emirates’ Miami to Bogota flight with miles
How much should you expect to pay for an award ticket on Emirates between Miami and Bogota? Generally you’re best off booking directly with Emirates Skywards, since this program gives you the most access to Emirates award availability.
The catch is that if you just go to Emirates’ website and try to enter the origin as Miami and the destination as Bogota, you’ll get an error message. However, if you click the “Advanced search” button on the homepage, the next page will allow you to search award availability on this route (it’s kind of wild this hasn’t been fixed for several months now).
Assuming there’s award space on this flight, how much should you expect to pay? If you’re booking a one-way award from Miami to Bogota:
- Economy costs 22,500 miles plus $63.30
- Business class costs 52,500 miles plus $105.30
- First class costs 60,500 miles plus $105.30
Now, one thing to keep in mind is that Emirates has different award pricing in economy and business class depending on whether you’re traveling one-way or roundtrip. In economy and business, there’s a significant discount if traveling roundtrip.
So a roundtrip award between Miami and Bogota would cost you the following number of miles:
- Economy costs 26,000 miles plus $166.30
- Business class costs 64,000 miles plus $250.30
- First class costs 121,000 miles plus $250.30
Economy and business class are a much better value when booking roundtrip. If just flying one-way, it’s of course worth paying an extra 8,000 miles to fly first class rather than business class, assuming there’s availability. Fortunately award availability is wide open in all cabins, so this is a great opportunity to book a luxurious flight.
Emirates Skywards miles are really easy to come by, as the program is transfer partners with all major transferable points currencies, including Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou.
It’s also possible to redeem Air Canada Aeroplan points for travel on Emirates. Pricing is dynamic, but currently I generally see the following award costs for a one-way award from Miami to Bogota:
- Economy costs 27,500 points plus $72
- Business class costs 60,500 points plus $72
- First class costs 124,300 points plus $72
Air Canada Aeroplan points are also easy to come by, as the program partners with Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, and Chase Ultimate Rewards.
This is the most luxurious flight in the Americas
I’d love for someone to disagree with me, but I think it’s safe to say that Emirates first class between Miami and Bogota is the single most luxurious product you can book on a commercial flight exclusively within the Americas.
Admittedly Emirates offers the best experience across all cabins in the market, given what you can expect onboard American and avianca. However, it goes without saying that it’s first class that will truly be the standout experience.
Emirates’ first class is known for being one of the best first class products in the world, and the airline is offering its full passenger experience on this short flight, which is only in the air for around three hours in each direction.
In first class, you can expect caviar along with all kinds of other dishes, plus an unbelievable wine list. As always, Emirates is serving Dom Perignon 2013 in first class, and the current wine list is amazing even by Emirates standards, with everything from Opus One 2012, to Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru 2014 Louis Latour.
Bottom line
Emirates is adding daily flights between Miami and Bogota using a Boeing 777. This is an extension of the carrier’s existing Dubai to Miami route, and it’s yet another fifth freedom flight that Emirates is operating in the Americas.
I’m thrilled to see this new route, and can’t wait to fly Emirates between Miami and Bogota. Suffice it to say that this offers a slightly better experience than you’ll find on American and avianca in the market. Standby, because I’ll be reporting back later today on the experience (or tomorrow morning, depending on my hangover!).
The only thing I’m a bit surprised by is that Emirates isn’t at all increasing frequencies to Miami. That means the Miami route is either currently performing very poorly, or this new service is heavily geared at passengers and cargo traveling exclusively between Miami and Bogota.
What do you make of Emirates adding flights from Miami to Bogota?
Is the best Airline flying to Bogota, good service, good food, good price, great airplane.
Two thumbs up
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Looking forward to experiencing this flight later this week! Couldn't make it work today, but I'm dying to take this flight.
Having read your stuff quietly for so long, it was great to meet you as a fellow passenger on that flight today. Ben
Lucky you! Pun intended:)
Does anyone know how many F award seats they open per flight? I see tons of availability for one seat but am not seeing anything with two seats.
According to LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department) Gangs from Columbia & Chile are disguising themselves as Tourists to USA and Robbing Houses in California by Planting video transmitting devices outside their Homes to monitor their Habbits. If they are caught, they are Deported for Free to Columbia/Chile. This has become such a serious problem that LAPD has asked State Dept to scrutinize Visa applications.
Why such an hysterical and and out of place comment?
Assuming there was a commercial break on FoxNews, adjust your tinfoil hat.
Not Columbia, Columbian, not gangs from Columbia or Chile, so many things wrong on this post. First of all, Colombia, from Cristobal Colón, Christopher Columbus in English, nothing to do with Columbia, female representation of america, derived from Christopher Columbus as well, District of Columbia, Brittish Columbia have nothing to do with Colombia.
Second, these so called criminal gangs are from Venezuela, they run the drug and criminal activities in most countries that received a...
Not Columbia, Columbian, not gangs from Columbia or Chile, so many things wrong on this post. First of all, Colombia, from Cristobal Colón, Christopher Columbus in English, nothing to do with Columbia, female representation of america, derived from Christopher Columbus as well, District of Columbia, Brittish Columbia have nothing to do with Colombia.
Second, these so called criminal gangs are from Venezuela, they run the drug and criminal activities in most countries that received a huge number of venezuelan inmigrants in the last decade.
Venezuelan criminals are running the drug and criminal business in many countries in South America, including Colombia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru. You can read about it, it's all over the news. Take it to the US government if they are allowing an influx of venezuelan criminals posing as inmmigrants to the country.
The regular colombian tourist to the US is not your regular low income criminal trying to cross the border, the US embassy don't grant visas to potential criminals, and potential criminals don't usually have the coin to fly Emirates.
Check your facts and spelling before making a fool of yourself.
Interesting, it says that the nonstop flight from Miami is about to land in Bogota.. but that the return to Miami is canceled. Accurate?
lol, Lucky's gonna have to get off the plane
Yeah, the plane landed. But the return flight shows up as cancelled :/
A walk up price is $179-$249 non stop on LATAM from BOG MIA so hardly stranded.
Absolutely, it's not that they'll be suffering. Besides, they can also go to the grand hyatt (just a few mins from the airport) and pamper themselves in luxury to overcome the trauma of a cancelled flight and wait for next day's EK first class flight.
I just found a livestream from earlier today from BOG and it shows EK's plane departing. Maybe the BOG-MIA leg wasn't cancelled after all. Some local twitter accounts also uploaded pics of passengers checking-ing for MIA/DXB. Who knows why a cancellation shows up online, but it would have definitely made the story much more interesting.
Gosh! That inaugural flight is today? Really? Ha!
you are incorrect. The US does have sterile transit. ANA partners with UA on Japan originating flights via Houston to Lat Am. Get your facts correct please.
Yeah, but everybody has to go through immigration and enter the USA in Houston
As an aside, It would be great to see an article discussing exactly which airlines and airports in the US allow ITI baggage transfers
@Ben, do you know anything about what ground services could look like for F passengers departing BOG?
Why would you believe he knows?
@ hbilbao -- Unfortunately not. I can't imagine Emirates will build its own lounge, so I assume that just some contract lounge will be used. Emirates generally doesn't offer special contract lounge access or perks for first class passengers vs. business class passengers at outstations, so I wouldn't expect anything too exciting.
@Ben: not surprising but it makes sense, sadly. I remember some pre-COVID trip reports around the web from people flying LH F from BOG, and the only difference was that they were allowed to use AV's Diamond Lounge (before AV went ULCC). I guess EK will take the same approach, especially for such a short flight.
Wow Dubai to Miami its basically pushing the 777-300 near its range limits that its near 7,000 NM route and going west you got strong headwinds.
You know what also adds up? The fact that Emirates load factor from Miami to Dubai is pretty low according to T100 data. Gotta try whatever you can to try to add passengers to that flight. Also, with an 11PM arrival time into Dubai that's not really great for connections. The next bank doesnt really start until 2AM, and stretches til 5AM. So that's a long sit for those traveling beyond Dubai.
Significant cargo demand between Miami and Bogota. What exactly is in the “cargo”?
Oh geez...calm down.
Coffee, appliances, normal stuff a country with a strong agricultural and industrial base would produce? Colombia has a growing economy, some years it’s been the highest in % GDP growth in the western hemisphere.
That's going to be the Hummus express to Dubai! If you know you know.
I’ve looked at the publicly available t100 load factor data. The emirates flight to Miami tends to have a relatively lower load factor than its other flights to North America, so not surprised they’d try to beef it up a bit with this.
"There’s significant cargo demand between Miami and Bogota; so when you consider the cargo capacity of a passenger version of the 777, that could contribute nicely to the success of this route."
Is this why it costs $10,000 USD per checked bag? Asking for a friend.
I think the route could be successful for EK on a segment basis. MIA-BOG is a huge market and the Colombians they frequently travel this route already have visas.
Avianca is not well regarded in Colombia these days and as someone else posted is nothing but a ULCC. Most MIA flights do not offer J class.
Exactly my thought, too. AV service went downhill years ago, LA is just marginally better (relative to ULCC AV). All other options are just narrow bodies with equally bad service. EK will be recapturing all the premium passengers that have been neglected so far. Plus, the scheduling is amazing. Hope I can try this flight someday, even if it's in a middle J seat ;)
Shocking to see how vast majority of commenters are missing the point entirely. MIA-Colombia is a huge point to point market. Full stop. Would you rather fly on a shitty Avianca or AA jet or an EK widebody? They'll do great here.
Ummm. Sure, common FF US-kinda arrogant comment. Most are not FF, and will be price driven...and would ya PLZ consider the number of Y v J seats in your thinking?!
Though EK can't offer the connectivity of AA, I think they will do well just based on revenue management capability with the wide body..and whatever they can achieve with cargo, given that it's not tied to connectivity like passengers.
Hello Ben. Could you please explain how Bogota's Altitude affects the viability of a long flight? Thank you.
Engine performance at high-altitude airports is limited, requiring more fuel and a longer runway for takeoff. High-altitude conditions may also impact the amount of load the aircraft can carry.
Bolivia is a good example. El Alto Airport, close to the capital city La Paz, is the world's highest international airport, located at 4,062 metres (13,327 ft) above sea level. Because of the thin high altitude air, most commercial wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing...
Engine performance at high-altitude airports is limited, requiring more fuel and a longer runway for takeoff. High-altitude conditions may also impact the amount of load the aircraft can carry.
Bolivia is a good example. El Alto Airport, close to the capital city La Paz, is the world's highest international airport, located at 4,062 metres (13,327 ft) above sea level. Because of the thin high altitude air, most commercial wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A330 cannot operate at full load out of El Alto International Airport. As a result, much of the international traffic to and from Bolivia operates out of Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra which is located at a much lower elevation, allowing heavy aircraft operations.
Thank you
Flash forward: February 2025. Route cancelled.
When's the last time EK cancelled a route (not withstanding COVID perhaps)?
I personally don't see how this is viable. Despite the cargo it seems doing a MAD-BOG fifth freedom is far more sensible. Nor do I understand why EK needs 10 hours+ for a turnaround in MIA. The reality is that if they would ever get off their high horse and join an alliance they would be far better off. Instead EK seems to have ambitions to rule the world. Which may not end well. But might make Juan Trippe happy in his grave.
@Ben: this route was just approved by the Colombian aviation authority. Flights are expected to start in June. No first class will be offered, apparently :(
Just a question are those timings correct ? 12.45am ex Miami or 12.45pm ( lunch time)
Maybe Related,maybe not. But I was looking forward to the J Flight from Barcelona to Mexico City, Plane was nice,But the service sucked, Food sucked. Could be many reasons, passengers were not the same as other Emirates Flights.
Maybe this will force AA to upgauge the route, and once allow access to the flagship lounge for J passengers
How does the US-Colombia Open Skies Agmt give a UAE carrier the right to fly MIA-BOG? Seems like that would need to be in the US-UAE Open Skies Agmt.
because Open Skies agreements allow 5th freedom routes for airlines of all countries that also have Open Skies which the US has with the UAE. Presumably, Colombia does as well.
Tim, I believe this would only be considered a fifth freedom flight if it was operated as a through flight from the UAE. Is that what they are doing?
I wonder what the fares will be like I’m first between MIA and BOG - would be a good way to try EK F
I can't help but wonder if LATAM added Madrid to Bogota (to Santiago) some weeks ago just to discourage Emirates from getting into the market. Emirates would have been the sixth operator of the route, which is probably the most competitive route in the Madrid-Latin America market...
MAD to BOG is a big market. MAD to almost most South American cities sees a lot of double and triple daily flights. LATAM can add, but you cant beat the "luxury" marketing that EK will unload in Colombia.
EK will do very well. Colombians ;-). Its going to be crazy-successful (and all that cargo lift). 3 hour fuel burn on a plane that can do 16-18 hrs. Less Fuel, tons of heavy cargo.
Considering that Air New Zealand used to operate LHR - LAX - AKL, and Air France still operate CDG - LAX - PPT, and there is no need for transit passengers to clear US Customs or collect and check in their bags again, couldn't MIA offer something similar exemption for this flight?
Where did you read there is an exception to US customs at LAX? I think there is a more seamless process for the PPT flights, but not an exception.
I've flown as a passenger on both. Your checked luggage stays on the plane, there's no customs check. There is a quick immigration check, then into the terminal. Years ago they kept you in a sterile transit area, but more recently you then proceed directly to the main departures side of the terminal with all other passengers. Don't see why MIA couldn't implement either of these options.
This is incorrect. Passengers still pass through immigration and go directly to TSA screening. Bags however stays on the plane.
money laundering route for ME3 and the cartels
you forgot drugs
So by that logic, the US must also be involved in money and drug laundering since American flies that route as well?
it was said somewhat in gest but Delta discovered plenty of drugs hidden in the L1011s that it bought when Eastern collapsed and which they used to fly to S. America.
No sane Colombian or Emirati would fly through the USA as it requires both an expensive VISA and that all connecting baggage be offloaded and all its contents imported into the us (Customs Checked) since it lacks any international-to-international connection facilities by law.
Not sure what Emirates management is thinking here.
access to Colombia which is only possible w/ a stop somewhere. Preying on AA is the easiest way to get there
Agree it has disadvantages for through passengers.
But it is hopeful to see a first fifth-freedom flight from/beyond the US as competition to US3.
Emirates no doubt hoping to eventually offer many US-Latam routes.
But if I connect international to international in Miami (or DFW the only other US airport with ITI), I have to clear immigration , but I don't pick up my bags. They are red tagged ITI and automatically checked through to international destination. Is this only available for AA?
The visa issue is a big issue. It was less of an issue for AKL-LAX-LHR and PPT-LAX-CDG as ESTAs were available for citizens or origin and destination.
Transiting in the US is an issue, however:
Colombia and the US have not only an open-skies agreement, but Colombian citizens can actually get US Global Entry. And BOG has long been identified as a “potential” location for a US Preclearance facility - the airport is certainly modern and was remodeled a few years ago with that future facility in-mind (although a new preclearance facility hasn’t opened anywhere in many years).
AA is going to be very mad about this lol
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see the appeal of a sub 3-hour Emirates flight.
Don't forget that BOG is at an elevation of 8,350 feet (2,540 m) - which is even higher than Mexico City. So, it's doubtful the plane could takeoff with a full load and fly all the way to DXB, so a stop is necessary. Coupled with the poor aircraft utilization in MIA - and the endless demand between Colombia and Florida, it probably makes sense for EK. They seem to like these 5th freedom flights...
Don't forget that BOG is at an elevation of 8,350 feet (2,540 m) - which is even higher than Mexico City. So, it's doubtful the plane could takeoff with a full load and fly all the way to DXB, so a stop is necessary. Coupled with the poor aircraft utilization in MIA - and the endless demand between Colombia and Florida, it probably makes sense for EK. They seem to like these 5th freedom flights (MLE - CMB - SIN; SYD-CHC; etc.) Cargo and "prestige" help them justify the route as well.
I can already see people booking this flight just to flaunt they flight Emirates, I hope it works in the long run, the market is huge but this won't seat well with US airlines; American, Spirit and Jetblue have been struggling on the colombian market lately, canceling some routes or cutting frequencies to Colombia,
This could be good for competition and the consumer given avianca's monopoly on some routes specially on the Colombia-Miami market...
I can already see people booking this flight just to flaunt they flight Emirates, I hope it works in the long run, the market is huge but this won't seat well with US airlines; American, Spirit and Jetblue have been struggling on the colombian market lately, canceling some routes or cutting frequencies to Colombia,
This could be good for competition and the consumer given avianca's monopoly on some routes specially on the Colombia-Miami market where they have the most frequencies. I don't see avianca being affected by this but we should see.
All in all consumers should have as many choices as they could, and if this route will contribute to this, it is welcome. I don't think such a long detour will be very pleasant for most people but maybe one day this route will be viable on another aircraft or with another tag on.
I thought Emirates was toying with joining star alliance? Did I just imagine that based on their partnerships with UA and AC? I just agree that they definitely won't befriend Avianca with this move
I don't think they're necessarily trying to join Star Alliance, but they have generally been happy to form individual partnerships as needed. (They still have a huge partnership with Qantas.)
For United and Air Canada, partnering with Emirates has been helpful to let them continue serving India and vicinity despite Russian airspace closures. Before that, Emirates probably wanted a US partner (and did partner with Alaska for feed). Given that oneworld already has Qatar, Emirates...
I don't think they're necessarily trying to join Star Alliance, but they have generally been happy to form individual partnerships as needed. (They still have a huge partnership with Qantas.)
For United and Air Canada, partnering with Emirates has been helpful to let them continue serving India and vicinity despite Russian airspace closures. Before that, Emirates probably wanted a US partner (and did partner with Alaska for feed). Given that oneworld already has Qatar, Emirates really could only choose between United and Delta.
What I've found surprising personally is why United and Turkish didn't work closer together as well given the Russian airspace situation...
Would pax be able to stay on the aircraft, thus not entering the terminal and the US at all?
No. Once an aircraft or vessel stops at a US port Everyone gets off and goes through Us Customs and Immigration. No exceptions and there should not be. This route should not even be considered let alone approved
Why? Who cares if pax sit on a plane stopping in the US? The US used to allow sterile transit - hell, IB used to run a good sized hub in MIA to reach Latin American destinations using narrow body aircraft.
Why should it “not be considered let alone approved” when US carriers can operate similar fifth freedom flights but choose not to? Are you crusading for American pilot jobs??
9/11. that's what happened
I didn't notice any foreign airlines involved in that?
This is flat out ignorant . It has nothing to see with the carrier but foreign citizens comming to u its states with a visa on a plane ? How is that difficult to grasp ?
I guess we know where Ben will be spending his weekends...
I wasn't aware that the US has approved this as a 5th freedom route because the US and Colombia do not have Open Skies and there are capacity restrictions for US and Colombian carriers.
If it is approved, then there should have been something obtained for US carriers.
And the impact on AA will be significant if EK is allowed to operate on a 5th freedom basis.
And it still could make sense...
I wasn't aware that the US has approved this as a 5th freedom route because the US and Colombia do not have Open Skies and there are capacity restrictions for US and Colombian carriers.
If it is approved, then there should have been something obtained for US carriers.
And the impact on AA will be significant if EK is allowed to operate on a 5th freedom basis.
And it still could make sense for EK to launch the route on a blind sector basis - no passenger rights between MIA and BOG.
Because of BOG's altitude, EK will never be able to serve it w/o a stop somewhere.
correction.. The US Dept. of State lists Colombia as an Open Skies partner.
AA is not the dominant carrier for travel between Miami and Bogota. Several airlines operate this route. It's only ~3hrs long, so it can be served with narrowbody aircraft. I know AA, Avianca, and LATAM compete on this route, and Spirit and Jetblue (and AV) also fly from FLL. Avianca is by far the largest operator in this market (and some flights with widebodies), while AA only has a few flights a day from MIA,...
AA is not the dominant carrier for travel between Miami and Bogota. Several airlines operate this route. It's only ~3hrs long, so it can be served with narrowbody aircraft. I know AA, Avianca, and LATAM compete on this route, and Spirit and Jetblue (and AV) also fly from FLL. Avianca is by far the largest operator in this market (and some flights with widebodies), while AA only has a few flights a day from MIA, all on A319/A321 aircraft. And AA typically is the most expensive airline on this market when booking exclusively from MIA to BOG.
EK could price tickets lower than AA, while offering a better experience on its 777. And they have lower per seat costs than AA since they are operating larger aircraft, lower staff wages, and they can carry a lot of cargo. I see this route doing well for EK. And I also live in Miami, so PLEASE EMIRATES, LAUNCH THE ROUTE ALREADY!!!
you just identified why AA would be most impacted.
Sorry, I didn't complete my argument fully. My apologies.
As I stated above, AA is not the biggest carrier between Miami and Bogota. The airline has a few flights a day in this market, but they are all on A319s. Also, AA is typically the most expensive airline (by quite a bit) in this market when booking exclusively between Miami and Bogota. Considering that Avianca and JetBlue are much cheaper options, I have to assume...
Sorry, I didn't complete my argument fully. My apologies.
As I stated above, AA is not the biggest carrier between Miami and Bogota. The airline has a few flights a day in this market, but they are all on A319s. Also, AA is typically the most expensive airline (by quite a bit) in this market when booking exclusively between Miami and Bogota. Considering that Avianca and JetBlue are much cheaper options, I have to assume that most of AA's passengers on its MIA-BOG route are connecting in MIA to other destinations. If this is true, they likely won't be too impacted by EK launching this route since EK will have no connectivity at MIA (maybe UA to some hubs, but UA has a very small presence at MIA). I think Avianca is likely to be most impacted. They have multiple frequencies per day to both MIA and FLL, and they fly widebodies on certain frequencies. And they are typically cheaper than AA, all while offering a better passenger experience on their 787-8. This is why I think AA may not be the most impacted, though I am always open to an argument, and should anyone have any data on what AA's MIA-BOG passenger booking data consists of, it would be most interesting to read.
Yep. This is the key point on market impact
Will this get US approval? One particular Airline in Miami won’t be happy about this.
I wonder if it would actually need very much formal US approval? The US and Colombia have an open-skies agreement, so there are no airline or capacity restrictions between the two countries. Emirates already operates at MIA, and Bogota is already served from MIA by another foreign airline. So in the view of US authorities, how would be any different than any other airline freely competing in that route?
Off topic Lucky but could you do an update post on which long haul routes Lufthansa is flying with the reverse herringbone and staggered seating planes?
10 hours is going to be tight. Other airlines schedule 3:43 between MIA and BOG.
If the plane sits in MIA 2 hours and BOG for 2 hours and MIA for 2 hours on the return, that's 6 hours. Add 7 hours flight time and that's 13 hours.
If they cut the time on the ground to 105 minutes, that saves 45 minutes. If the flight time is 3:30 instead of 3:43 then it 12 hours versus just over 10 hours in MIA now.
Emirates will retime their Miami - Dubai route to enable Miami - Bogota. The DXB-MIA segment will arrive an hour earlier, and the MIA-DXB segment will depart almost four hours later.
@Derek - Your right. Since EK's filing suggests a 777-200LR or 77W, I think EK is planning on launching additional frequencies to MIA. EK currently flies to MIA using a 77W, and their load factors are excellent. I doubt they would downgrade that to a 77L, so that makes me believe they will launch additional frequencies. Qatar also recently increased flights to MIA (less than a month ago) from daily to 10x weekly, with all...
@Derek - Your right. Since EK's filing suggests a 777-200LR or 77W, I think EK is planning on launching additional frequencies to MIA. EK currently flies to MIA using a 77W, and their load factors are excellent. I doubt they would downgrade that to a 77L, so that makes me believe they will launch additional frequencies. Qatar also recently increased flights to MIA (less than a month ago) from daily to 10x weekly, with all flights on the A35K. And Turkish flies to MIA 10-14x weekly, using a daily 77W and the second frequency being a 789/77W.
My guess is that EK current flight from DXB-MIA will maintain its outbound timings, departing DXB at 3am and arriving at MIA between 10-11am. That plane will then continue to Bogota, and then back. Then, that plane would depart MIA for DXB around 11pm-1am. In addition, EK would launch a new flight to MIA leaving DXB at 8-9am (with their bank of U.S. flights), and arrive in MIA between 4-5pm. That plane would then fly back to DXB, departing MIA around the same time as the current MIA-DXB flight (8-9pm). If there is around 3-3.5 hrs between the two flights at MIA, that would allow EK to use the same staff for both flights.
I fly QR and Turkish from MIA often, but I avoid EK due to the 3am departure from DXB. This flight forces me to have a 14hr + connection at DXB for my destination. If they had an 8am flight from DXB as they do to most of their U.S. gateways, I would not hesitate to fly them. I'm sure i'm not the only one with this issue, so an additional flight solves that problem. QR's flights to U.S. destinations with multiple daily flights also follow this pattern.
If they do use a 773ER, it'd be interesting to see if they actually offer true First, or if they just sell the F seats as full-fare Business without the F soft product, like BA seasonally does in several of its US markets.
Since it's essentially a direct flight DXB-BOG with a technical stop in MIA (albeit with the ability to market the segments separately) I would think they would probably offer true first for the entire flight.
Your third point is also what I thought of when I saw this article. I’m not all that surprised by these news given that EK already has several 5th-freedom routes.
Also, Ben, I have an interesting proposition for you: Once this route is launched, and once a decent number of 777’s have been retrofitted with the new PY seats, this would be a good chance to try out this new product. Just saying ;)
Makes so much sense. Utilize the aircraft, carry cargo, and most of all, passengers. The Miami-Bogota demand alone will have that segment sold out more often than not. Who cares about the transit/travel time for Bogota to Dubai when there’s such demand to both cities from Miami alone
Avianca is really just a glorified low-cost these days - very different experience from EK - so that would be a completely different proposition.
Besides Avianca has a codeshare agreement with Etihad, if I'm not mistaken, I don't think Emirates is contemplating Avianca for a codeshare agreement any time soon, Let's not forget Latam also flies SCL-BOG-MIA on 787s and BOG-MIA on A320s. Needing a visa or admission won't work for the regular colombian folk who's merely going to connect to the Middle East, or Asia.
They could have tried CTG, PTY, or other city like BCN for this...
Besides Avianca has a codeshare agreement with Etihad, if I'm not mistaken, I don't think Emirates is contemplating Avianca for a codeshare agreement any time soon, Let's not forget Latam also flies SCL-BOG-MIA on 787s and BOG-MIA on A320s. Needing a visa or admission won't work for the regular colombian folk who's merely going to connect to the Middle East, or Asia.
They could have tried CTG, PTY, or other city like BCN for this flight, this type of route will only work for the super rich american wannabes who hold US visas or find it convenient, there are better and cheaper options to get to SE Asia/Pacific from Colombia, Turkish does the job quicker and better.
No luggage pickup. MIA has ItI.
Having worked in Cargo Finance at a US Big 3, cargo revenue in the Colombia-US market would not come close to paying the bills for an Emirates 777-300ER in the MIA-BOG market. Not even the strongest cargo markets such as Asia to the US or Germany to the US could make this claim for a passenger flight. Revenue is also significantly higher to the US, than from the US. This reflects the US trade deficit...
Having worked in Cargo Finance at a US Big 3, cargo revenue in the Colombia-US market would not come close to paying the bills for an Emirates 777-300ER in the MIA-BOG market. Not even the strongest cargo markets such as Asia to the US or Germany to the US could make this claim for a passenger flight. Revenue is also significantly higher to the US, than from the US. This reflects the US trade deficit where the US imports far more than it exports. At best, cargo revenue would represent a nice cherry on top of the revenue sundae, but would not come close to covering costs.
@Ron was this reply intended for another comment? Bob's point is that MIA is one of the few US airports that supports international-to-international transfer of luggage, so you don't have to collect and recheck your bags if connecting international-to-international in MIA.
Really surprised Emirates didn’t copy the triangle that Turkish uses between BOG and PTY. DXB BOG PTY DXB would be much more efficient and would probably do very well as Turkish has done on the IST BOG PTY IST route.
The 'plane will be flying both ways?
even if EK only could operate the flight on a blind sector basis - no local traffic between MIA and BOG, they would still have through passengers from BOG and DXB onboard.
As has been discussed above, there appear to be all of the rights for EK to operate this flight no differently than it does Milan to NYC - as an extension of a DXB-MXP flight where they have local traffic rights between Italy and the US.
Nope, all passengers will be need to have visas and apply for admission.
@NomadDC again, yes, that's true... but it goes beyond the original point that you don't need to collect your bags in MIA if you're arriving and departing from two international flights