Resuming flights to Brazil, the Airbus A380 landed this Sunday (31/10) at Guarulhos International Airport, fulfilling Emirates flight EK261. The aircraft, known for being the largest enger plane in the world, will now visit the Metropolitan region of São Paulo daily, as before the pandemic.
The aircraft that completed the flight, registration A6-EUV, can carry 516 engers in the comfortable three classes of the aircraft. Like all Emirates A380s, this one has a bar on board for Business and First Class engers, and the latter has a bathroom with hot shower for greater comfort during the company's long journeys.
Flight EK 261 departs from Dubai International Airport to Guarulhos at around 02:05 am (local time), arriving at 17:20 pm. The Airbus A380 returns to Dubai at 23:15 (local time), fulfilling flight EK 262.
Altogether, it takes almost 14 hours and 30 minutes to fly between Dubai and São Paulo on the A380.
Flights EK261 and EK262 with the Airbus A380 will be daily. Considering Emirates' expansion plan, the company should keep the plane on this route for a long time.
Since 2017, the Arab company has been operating regular flights with the largest enger plane in the world in Brazil, operation that was only interrupted by the consequences of the pandemic, such as low demand.
See the return of this incredible aircraft in the videos below, recorded live:
Can carry more than 800 engers
In a single-class configuration, the Airbus A380 can carry up to 868 engers on board, according to official Airbus information. However, many airlines opt for more comfortable configurations, and try to make the most of luxury classes. Singapore Airlines, for example, has a suite for every First Class enger on the A380.
For this reason, most of the A380's interior configurations have a maximum capacity of between 450 and 600 engers. Emirates has some specially equipped planes with only two classes (Business and Economy), and capacity for 615 engers on board.
To fly with more than 500 engers on board, the Airbus A380 has a wingspan of 80 meters, a length of almost 73 meters, and a height equivalent to a 6-story building (24 meters).
The Airbus A380 has the capacity to carry 253.983 kg of fuel, which allows flights of up to 18 hours with the aircraft. Four engines similar to those used by Airbus A330 aircraft are needed to make the double-decker plane fly.
Emirates plans to operate beyond 2030 with Airbus A380
Despite not being produced, and Airbus estimates the last deliveries for December. Emirates has plans to continue with the double-decker aircraft in its fleet.
In the Arab company, the Airbus A380 will be directly replaced by the 777-9X. Despite the latter being smaller in size, it achieves greater fuel efficiency per enger carried.
Although it has been retired by companies such as Air and Lufthansa, in recent weeks three other companies (British Airways, Singapore Airlines and Qantas) have announced the return of the A380 to commercial flights.
Altogether, the company currently has 120 aircraft of this model in operation, and has already retired five aircraft in recent months to supply parts to the current fleet. The retirement of the planes will be routine, but in a small amount, the CEO of Emirates promises to operate with the A380 until 2035, at least.
luxurious interior
The interior of the A380 is very large and well divided to compose the aircraft's classes. It is noteworthy that this configuration below is from the aircraft registration A6-EOM. Recently, the Arab company changed its configuration, adding new seats and Economy on some aircraft.
At the front of the A380, there is a large staircase that leads to a kind of mini-reception on the upper deck, or on the upper deck of the A380, also called the second floor.
In this same area of the stairs leading to the upper deck, there are a large number of restrooms for economy class engers.
Before the central part of the plane, it is possible to find a Galley, where the crew prepare meals for this huge number of engers, but the A380 does not rely only on this Galley, the aircraft has several others scattered inside, in total there are 3 in the first floor of the aircraft and 3 more on the top, with a Bar for business class engers to enjoy during the flight.
The Bar offers snacks and famous drinks, alcoholic or not, for Business Class engers during the long flight from Brazil to Dubai, which lasts around 14 hours and 30 minutes.
In total, the entire aircraft is equipped with individual entertainment screens, in addition to a screen in the center that shows the aircraft during the flight and general information. Bathrooms adapted to receive engers with disabilities and special children's kits for the enjoyment of children during this long flight are other items available to engers in any class of the aircraft.
Going to the second floor, the interior changes completely, when compared to a smaller enger plane, as soon as we climb the stairs at the rear of the Airbus A380, however, unlike the front stairs, the format is now spiral, the aforementioned Lounge with capacity for up to 26 engers welcomes guests to stay for 14 hours in Emirates Business Class, in this place, which has two sofas and a traditional snack table, engers can have drinks, eat snacks and rest a little in a wide sofa.
After the Lounge area, we move on to the Business Class of the A380, which in this configuration holds up to 76 engers and occupies a large part of the upper deck of the aircraft. All seats fully recline and are controlled via a “tablet” located on the seat, which can eventually be detached.
engers have a huge 19-inch screen to enjoy the content offered by Emirates, with 2500 movies, TV channels from around the world and series, in addition to an endless music playlist, it is possible to find any author on the rise in the international music market. music through the Emirates entertainment system. For children the entertainment system offers a wide range of games.
And best of all, all engers can count on their Wi-Fi internet connection throughout the flight, which invariably uses satellite technology to transmit information even at FL400.
First and Business Class are equipped with a 110v outlet for each seat. In Economy, the power ports are located between the seats.
First Class and Business seats have the option of a "landline" telephone via satellite, the enger can also choose to use a mobile network inside the aircraft and call anywhere in the world, with a call that also takes advantage of technology by satellite.
First Class
Emirates Airbus A380 First Class is impressive at first glance, and that initial impression is not limited to just details or space, the service offered by Emirates is truly without equal. In total, 14 seats out of 526 have the privilege of enjoying the full service that only the A380 can offer on Emirates.
Based on a concept of a private cabin, First Class values comfort and good taste for the enger. In the cabin of the private suite, we find a bar for enger use and a seat that reclines 180º using the same controls as in Business Class, but in this case the seat is even larger in width and length.
The 1-2-1 configuration conveys something interesting, it is possible to access the aisle at any time without disturbing the enger on the side, or disturbing anyone. The entertainment system also offers the same amount of movies and series as Business Class which, , is not bad, there are 2500 movies, channels and series available, in addition to a very large number of music and other content, such as games.
Emirates engers also have access to two bathrooms for exclusive use in First Class, they are the famous bathroom-suite, with the option of even a quick shower in hot water lasting 5 minutes, something unthinkable on a smaller aircraft.
Business Class
Business Class takes up most of the second floor of the Emirates Airbus A380. engers who pay to fly in this class will enjoy very comfortable seats that recline 180 degrees. For entertainment, each seat has a 19-inch monitor with 2500 television channels from around the world. You can find a wide range of movies, series, games and music. engers can also use the entire upper part of Business Class during the flight.
In all there are 76 sleeper seats, engers also have juices and soft drinks in a small fridge in each seat. In addition, there are sockets and sleeping kits such as face masks, for example, as well as headphones.
The armchairs are super comfortable, the enger can choose to have a more reserved space, closing the partition between one armchair and another. Very comfortable headphones are available to enhance the good experience during the flight.
Executive engers have a feeling close to First Class, thanks to the comfort offered in Business and the seating configuration, which is complemented by a high standard onboard service, with a refined cuisine. This is one of the details that make Business Class an ideal combination of technology, luxury and comfort for those traveling between Brazil and Dubai.
Economy Class
Economy class occupies the entire lower part of the A380 and is configured in the scheme 3 - 4 - 3. Each seat has an individual entertainment screen and children's kits for the greatest comfort of children during the 14-hour flight.
There are many seats on the A380 in Economy Class, a total of 426 in this configuration that Emirates operates flights to Brazil. If it were possible to calculate an average weight of all these engers, the calculation would be almost 40 tons, also considering the bags.
Several restrooms at the front, middle and rear of the aircraft are available for use by the 426 engers. They are simpler bathrooms, without all the space of those equipped in First Class nor the service offered to engers in the latter.
engers can control the individual entertainment system through a small device, located on the side of the seat or below the individual monitor, which also serves as a joystick for games. engers also have sockets available to recharge their mobile devices, an essential item for a flight lasting almost 15 hours.
