EMIRATES: Adelaide is first city for Emirates A350 service

When I lived there (last century), Adelaide often told itself it punched well above its weight. Indeed, arguably, it did back then, in the arts and restaurant scene, if nothing else. Now, in the 21st century, it can add Emirates A350-900ULR and its new Premium Economy cabin to that list of innovations.

Debut service

Adelaide will be the first city of the Emirates’ network to be serviced by the long-range Airbus A350 on its EK440/441 flights commencing 1 December 2025. That will bring the Emirates’ new Premium Economy cabin to Adelaide for the first time. Currently, the route between Dubai and Adelaide is operated daily by a Boeing 777-200LR.

The Airbus A350-900ULR has a range of just shy of 18,000 kilometres and can remain in the air for up to 15 hours. The aircraft has 280 seats across three cabins. Business has 32 seats in a 1-2-1 staggered configuration; Premium Economy has 28 seats in a 2-3-2 setup, still with a dreaded middle seat, and Economy has 259 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration.

This differs from the regional configuration, which has 294 seats but only 21 in Premium Economy and a slightly larger Economy cabin of 241 seats. Business class retains 32 seats in both configurations.

Flight Details

These daily flights arrive and depart in the evening:

• EK421 departs Adelaide 21:50, arrives Dubai 05:30 +1 day
• EK440 departs Dubai 02:05, arrives Adelaide 20:05

Business Class

Expect S-Class Mercedes-style upholstery in the much more contemporary A350 over the Boeing 777 seating currently servicing the route. This revised design features less bling and a more neutral colour palette.

With higher cabin pressure and humidity, expect reduced fatigue and jet lag from your flight. You also get electric window blinds and a dual blind system, giving you a range of window shade options.

The wide seats and generous table for work and eating convert into a two-metre-long bed when sleep calls. You get a 23″ 4K HD screen plus Bluetooth audio, so you can bring your own headphones/earbuds. You also have wireless charging as well as AC, USB-A, and USB-C power sockets. There is also a snack bar at the back of the cabin.

Emirates Business Class is bringing it to Qatar Airways, which also competes on this route.

Premium Economy

You also get new 19.5″ wide seating here plus electronic dual window blinds in Premium Economy. Calf and footrests and an 8 ” seat recline substitute for the lie-flat bed of business class. The display is 13.3″ and 4K, again with Bluetooth audio and USB-A & C power outlets. For AC, you have to share.

2PAXfly Takeout

These Airbus A350-900ULRs are part of the first new aircraft fleet to join Emirates since 2008. They have an outstandingly quiet cabin and are the most fuel-efficient widebody in the air today.

If you are a member of the Emirates Skywards loyalty program, then your WiFi(suitable for chat and messaging) is free (you get full internet access if you have Skywards premium status). Unfortunately, this facility is not extended to Qantas loyalty members. You will have to pay, even in Business Class.

For Adelaide passengers, this will surely beat legging it to Sydney or Melbourne for that long-haul trip, that is, unless you still love those super jumbo A380’s like I do, or you want to travel First Class on Emirates