Emirates to operate next-gen A350 on the third daily service to Cape Town
First deployment in Southern Africa
The airline also announced expanded Premium Economy rollout to nine new cities and additional frequencies to two existing destinations
Emirates is set to enhance its network across Africa and beyond with the rollout of its next-generation A350 aircraft and retrofitted Boeing 777s, alongside Premium Economy and upgraded cabins across the fleet.The airline will now operate a third daily service between Dubai and Cape Town using the A350, marking the first time this aircraft type serves the South African market.
Afzal Parambil, Emirates’ Regional Manager for Southern Africa, said: “With the deployment of the A350 on the third daily service to Cape Town, South Africa becomes the only African nation on our network served by all three Emirates aircraft types. This fleet mix provides flexibility for travellers while maintaining the renowned Emirates experience on every flight.”
The third daily service, effective from 1 July, will see EK778 depart Dubai at 10:25, arriving in Cape Town at 18:05. The return flight, EK779, will leave Cape Town at 20:00, arriving in Dubai at 07:25 the next morning. The additional frequency offers optimised connections to London, Dublin, Brussels, Bombay, Australasia, and key Asian markets, serving both leisure and corporate travellers.
Emirates’ double daily Cape Town service has consistently seen high load factors, with inbound demand from the Gulf and outbound traffic to Europe and the US East Coast remaining strong.
Emirates is also expanding its A350 deployments on new daily services to Copenhagen and Phuket.
The second daily service to Copenhagen begins on 1 June, with flight EK153 departing Dubai at 14:50 and arriving at 19:45. The return flight, EK154, leaves Copenhagen at 21:35, arriving in Dubai at 05:55 the following day. This service provides seamless onward connections to East Asia—including Bangkok, Bali, Manila, Tokyo Haneda, and Phuket, as well as to African cities such as Nairobi and Entebbe. Passengers from key international markets, including Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Delhi and Bangalore, will also benefit from enhanced connectivity via Dubai.
From 1 July, the third daily service to Phuket will operate on EK390, departing Dubai at 22:40 and arriving at 08:10 the following morning, with the return flight EK391 departing at 10:00, arriving in Dubai at 13:05. The additional service allows early-morning arrivals ideal for connections from Europe, including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Manchester, as well as the Middle East, including Kuwait and Bahrain.
Across its network, Emirates plans to operate the A350 on new services to Rome and Taipei from 1 May. By 1 July, the airline will offer Premium Economy and upgraded cabins on over 84 routes, underscoring its focus on consistent service and comfort.
The deployment of the A350 in Africa reflects Emirates’ commitment to strengthening travel options, enhancing connectivity, and providing world-class onboard experiences for business and leisure travellers alike. South Africa, in particular, becomes a focal point for the airline’s fleet expansion, with the combination of A380, Boeing 777, and A350 aircraft delivering flexibility, capacity, and premium travel options across its African gateways. - Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Emirates Group.