This will be the first route where Emirates deploys the A350

Emirates has reached a significant milestone today with the delivery of its first Airbus A350, marking the arrival of a new aircraft type in the airline’s fleet for the first time since 2008.

Registered as A6-EXA, this aircraft is the first of 65 A350s set to join Emirates over the next few years, further enhancing the airline’s world-class fleet.

The handover ceremony took place earlier today, and the A350 will soon begin its ferry flight from Toulouse (TLS) to Dubai at 4:00 PM local time. Aviation enthusiasts can follow the journey live on Flight Radar 24 as the aircraft makes its way to its new home.

After landing in Dubai, the A350 will undergo final preparations at Emirates Engineering before being officially unveiled at a special event later this week.

Highlighting Emirates’ commitment to sustainable aviation, the delivery flight was powered by a blend of traditional jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Commercial Service Launch
The A350 will officially enter commercial service in January 2025, with its inaugural flight to Edinburgh. It will then expand its operations to eight other destinations across the Middle East, West Asia, and Europe.

Emirates will begin daily A350 flights to Edinburgh from January 3, 2025, offering passengers a more comfortable travel experience. The A350 will also be introduced on routes to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kuwait, and other cities.

Flight EK23 will leave Dubai at 14:50 and reach Edinburgh at 19:05, with the return EK24 departing at 20:40 and landing in Dubai at 08:05. Emirates also operates daily A380 flights to Glasgow, providing 14 weekly connections between Scotland and Dubai. In total, Emirates serves eight UK destinations.