Earlier this month, Emirates announced they will no longer be operating the Airbus A380 on three routes over this coming winter schedule. Three of the services include daily flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) hub to King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Discontinuation of the A380 for DXB to JED
All affected DXB-JED routes are daily services, and the size reduction from the A380 to the new aircraft they will operate on these routes, the Boeing 777-300ER, may cause substantial changes.
The change to the Boeing twinjet will cause the total round-trip seat sales to drop by 102,000 this winter (a 22% decrease). First class will be the most impacted cabin, with a 63% decrease, followed by business class with a 48% decrease and economy with 16%.
DXB to JED (local times):
- EK801: 12:15 AM-2:30 AM
- EK805: 7:05 AM-9:20 AM
- EK803: 3:45 PM-6:05 PM
JED to DXB (local times):
- EK802: 4:20 AM-8:10 AM
- EK806: 11:15 AM-3:00 PM
- EK804: 8:35 PM-12:30 AM+1
The A380 is scheduled to return to servicing the three DXB–JED routes on Sunday, March 28, 2027, when Emirates will switch to their summer schedule.
DXB to Washington Dulles will also be affected
Normally, Emirates operates the A380 from DXB to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) on a year-round basis. It’s also the airport’s only superjumbo operator in the winter.
However, due to the ongoing war in Iran, data from Flightradar24 (a flight-tracking service) shows that the aircraft did not operate DXB flights to IAD from March to July this year. The A380 did briefly return in August, presumably due to summer peak season demand, but has not been operated since. Boeing 777-300ER has been replacing it.
DXB to IAD (local times):
- EK231: 2:20 AM-8:40 AM
IAD to DXB (local times):
- EK232: 10:55 AM-8:05 AM+1
As of now, the A380 is set to return to IAD on March 28, 2027. However, its return date has been pushed back a number of times already, so the current date is also subject to change.
When the airport does see the return of the aircraft, the 489-seat configuration will be deployed with a layout that has 14 seats in first class, 76 in business and 399 in economy.
Medina also won’t see the A380 this winter
Emirates occasionally operates the A380 to Medina to cater for the higher demand when tour groups book for Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages.
The airline has flown the aircraft there on three services last winter. However, no A380 service is currently scheduled for this upcoming winter.
Regardless, Emirates will still be flying between DXB and Medina this winter, along with flydubai and Saudia. The three airlines will have a collective five daily flights.
Are you saddened to see the A380 temporarily removed from these routes? Join the conversation in the comments below.
