Emirates reveals its first all-A350 destination
Bahrain has become the first city in the Emirates network to be served exclusively by the airline’s new Airbus A350, following the arrival of a third daily A350-operated service into the Gulf nation.
Flight EK835 from Dubai touched down at Bahrain International Airport at 2:15am on 2 June, completing the transition to an all-A350 schedule.
The return leg, EK836, departed at 3:40am, arriving back in Dubai at 6:05am. The move aligns with Emirates’ wider fleet modernisation programme and its push to deliver a more advanced and comfortable passenger experience across its network.
According to Emirates, the latest fleet investment supports its broader ‘Fly Better’ initiative, designed to bring next-generation aircraft technology and upgraded passenger comfort to key regional routes.
Configured in a three-class layout, the A350 features 32 lie-flat Business Class seats arranged 1-2-1, 21 Premium Economy seats in a 2-3-2 format, and 259 Economy seats in a 3-3-3 configuration.
“The deployment of the Emirates A350 to Bahrain reflects the airline’s strong and growing ties with the Kingdom and underscores the airline’s investment in delivering premium service and product to the market,” the carrier said in a statement.
The A350 is gradually being introduced across Emirates’ regional and medium-haul routes.
Current destinations include Amman, Kuwait, Edinburgh, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Colombo and Tunis. The airline expects to be flying the type to 17 cities around the world by the end of 2025.
A350 impact on Emirates’ fleet strategy
Originally expected in 2023, the delivery of Emirates’ first A350s was delayed due to production and supply chain issues affecting the global aerospace industry. The first aircraft finally arrived in mid-2024.
The A350s represent a significant upgrade in fuel efficiency, passenger comfort, and operational flexibility. The aircraft’s long-range capability and reduced fuel burn make it a critical asset as Emirates seeks to open new long-haul routes and boost frequency on thinner markets previously unsuited to its larger A380s and 777s.
The A350 will allow Emirates to better match capacity to demand while maintaining a high level of onboard service, especially on routes where its flagship A380 may be oversized.
The airline plans to deploy the type on additional routes across Europe, Asia, and Africa, with 17 cities expected to be served by the end of 2025.
