Emirates A380 maiden flight

Eight years after placing its first order in 2000, Emirates has finally taken delivery of its first A380, which will be flying from Dubai to New York city on its maiden flight this Friday, August 1, 2008. And we’ll be at the John F. Kennedy airport to cover the inaugural ceremony Live! for our readers on this blog. Invited guests will have an opportunity to tour the aircraft, which features 489 seats in a three-class configuration (14 first class, 76 business and 399 economy).

Image courtesy Emirates.com

Emirates has also announced plans to showcase the double-decker Airbus A380 during the familiarisation flights in San Francisco and Los Angeles, scheduled for August 4 out of San Francisco International Airport.  The following day, residents of Los Angeles will have an opportunity to see the A380 at the Flight Path Museum at Imperial Terminal at LAX.

Emirates is the largest customer of the A380, with 53 orders. Powered by American aircraft engine manufacturer Engine Alliance’s GP7200 engines, Emirates’ A380s can fly 11,999 kilometres on a full load, has 13 tonnes of bellyhold capacity for cargo and offers better fuel economy. Best of all, they even have showers on board the First Class.

Stay tuned on August 1, for Live coverage of the event and the maiden flight of Emirates A380 to the US. Coverage will begin at 4pm EST, which is 8pm GMT.

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