Emirates to launch flights to Houston

Emirates, one of the world’s most successful and fastest-growing international airlines, is set to launch services to Houston, Texas - its second destination in the United States, starting 3rd December 2007.

The non-stop service between Dubai and Houston will initially operate three times a week, increasing to a daily service from 1st February 2008. Emirates will fly its new Boeing 777-200LR on the route, offering 266 seats in a three-class configuration and up to 18 tonnes of cargo capacity.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said: “We believe there is a strong and growing demand for convenient air travel connections between the USA and cities in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, as illustrated by the success of Emirates’ services to New York JFK.

“It has been our intention to expand our presence in North America and the delivery of our new 777-200LRs aircraft later this year will enable us to operate these ultra long-haul routes efficiently, while providing our passengers with the latest comforts and amenities onboard. We very much look forward to starting services to Houston, our second gateway in the USA.”

Emirates’ new non-stop service will provide its customers in the Middle East and Asia with direct access to the fourth largest city in the US. Houston is a hub for the country’s oil and energy-related industries, and one of the largest international gateways into the US.

When launched, the Dubai-Houston non-stop service will also be Emirates’ longest flight – clocking 17 hours flying time to North America, while the shorter return journey will be at just over 15 hours.

On the Dubai-Houston route, Emirates’ technologically-advanced 777-200LR aircraft will offer the latest inflight amenities. Designed for optimum comfort on ultra long-haul travel, it will be fitted with eight luxurious private suites in First class, 42 of its latest lie-flat seats in Business class, and generous space for 216 passengers in Economy class. Emirates will also operate the flight with two crews onboard, to ensure passengers receive the highest levels of service and care throughout the journey.

Passengers in all classes will enjoy the award-winning service from Emirates' international cabin crew recruited from over 100 countries around the world; meals prepared by gourmet chefs; as well as the airline's cutting-edge ‘ice’ (information, communication, entertainment) system, which offers a selection of over 600 channels of entertainment on demand and the ability to send and receive email and text messages from their personal in-seat entertainments systems.

Houston is the fourth new destination that Emirates has announced it will be introducing in 2007. The airline had already unveiled plans to start services to Venice in July, Newcastle in September, and Sao Paulo in October. Emirates' global route network currently spans 87 cities in 59 countries across Africa, Europe, the Far East, Indian Subcontinent, and North America. For flight information and bookings, visit: emirates.com.