By Toi World Desk
Emirates has fast-tracked the launch of its Airbus A350 on the Dubai鈥揗uscat route, introducing daily flights ahead of schedule to accommodate rising summer travel demand. Originally set to begin on July 1, the service began one week earlier, offering passengers enhanced comfort, better connectivity, and a more refined travel experience between the UAE and Oman.Optimised Timings for Global ConnectionsThe A350 service features overnight departures, strategically timed to facilitate onward journeys to major global destinations: Flight EK 866 departs Dubai at 2:15am, arriving in Muscat at 3:30am Flight EK 867 returns from Muscat at 4:40am, landing in Dubai at 5:55am These timings ensure smooth connections to hubs across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, especially for transit passengers.Next-Generation Comfort on the A350The new A350 aircraft offers a three-class configuration with 312 seats: 32 Business Class lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 layout 21 Premium Economy seats arranged 2-3-2 259 Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 layout Passengers can enjoy: Wider aisles and higher ceilings for a more spacious cabin Emirates鈥 newest in-flight entertainment system High-speed Wi-Fi connectivity Enhanced seat ergonomics and modern lighting systems for added comfort on short and medium-haul flights Muscat Among First to Receive A350 in the RegionWith seven A350s currently in its fleet, Emirates has deployed the aircraft to select destinations including Kuwait, Bahrain, Dammam, Amman, Mumbai, Edinburgh, Tunis, Colombo, and Ahmedabad. Muscat鈥檚 early inclusion underscores Emirates鈥 long-term commitment to the Oman market. By the end of 2025, Emirates aims to operate the A350 on 17 global routes, supporting its wider network expansion.Additional Flights to Meet Summer Travel DemandTo address peak summer travel, Emirates has also increased frequency on the Dubai鈥揗uscat route: Flight EK 862 (added service) departs Dubai at 7:55am, arriving in Muscat at 9:05am Flight EK 863 returns from Muscat at 11:25am, landing in Dubai at 12:30pm These additional Thursday and Saturday flights offer greater flexibility for weekend travellers and vacationers.