Emirates inaugurated its fifth US destination Thursday morning: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The flight marks the first regularly scheduled nonstop between DFW and the Middle East, and is expected to open up trade and cultural avenues between the two regions with a high level of comfort and service.
The flight from Dubai landed on time at 8:45 am local time and taxied over to gate D11 after passing through a “shower of affection”—aka water canon salute. At a press conference back in the terminal, local and foreign dignitaries touted the economic benefits of a daily to DXB.
“A direct link with Dubai will open new vistas for North Texas, with key trading and business centers in the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian Subcontinent now just one stop away.” said Emirates Senior VP for Commercial Operations, Nigel Page.
The airline estimates $227 million in economic impact to be generated as a result of the new route for the Dallas/Ft. Worth region. With Texas already exporting approximately $2 billion in goods each year already to the United Arab Emirates, that “means a lot of Texas jobs” said Yousef Al Otaiba—United Arab Emirates ambassador to the United States—who was on hand for the arrival.
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price later presented Al Otaiba with a black Stetson cowboy hat right off of her head. After much cheering and applause, Al Otaiba even obliged the crowd with a hearty “Howdy,” in a good southern drawl.
Tours of the aircraft showcased an aircraft decked out to keep passengers in all classes happy for the fifteen hour flight. The Boeing 777-200LR is configured in three classes, featuring private suites in first class (1-2-1 layout), lie-flat beds in business (2-3-2), and economy (3-4-3).
Emirates already possesses one of largest long haul fleets on the planet and with additional aircraft orders still coming down the pipe, we expect to see Emirates continue to expand around the globe, particularly in North America. In the US, Emirates currently serves New York, San Francisco, Houston, Los Angeles and Dallas/Fort Worth, and will soon begin Seattle flights.
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