Emirates has marked a major milestone in its Australian network with the debut of its first ultra‑long‑range Airbus A350‑900ULR on the daily Dubai–Adelaide route, introducing the airline’s new Premium Economy cabin to South Australia for the first time. Adelaide is the first city in Emirates’ global network to receive the long‑range A350 and the fifth Australian gateway to feature the carrier’s latest-generation aircraft and Premium Economy product, cementing the city’s status as a key global gateway.
A350 and Premium Economy arrive in Adelaide
Operating as EK440/441, the A350‑900ULR replaces the Boeing 777‑200LR and offers three cabins with 298 seats: 32 next‑generation Business Class seats, 28 Premium Economy seats and 238 Economy seats. The aircraft can fly up to 15 hours non‑stop and features one of the quietest twin‑aisle cabins in commercial service today, improving comfort on the long haul between South Australia and Dubai while connecting Adelaide to more than 140 destinations worldwide.
Premium Economy brings “quiet luxury” to the mid‑cabin, with cream leather seats, wood accents, 6‑way adjustable headrests, generous recline, footrests, 13.3‑inch screens, power and USB‑C charging, Bluetooth headset pairing and an enhanced dining experience with real glassware, Royal Doulton china and an upgraded wine list. Passengers also benefit from priority boarding, increased baggage allowance and dedicated check‑in at Dubai, positioning Premium Economy as an attractive upgrade for both leisure and business travellers ex‑Adelaide.
Next‑generation cabin tech and passenger experience
In Business Class, Emirates’ A350 features new lie‑flat “S Lounge” seats inspired by the Mercedes S‑Class, each with direct aisle access, wireless charging and mini‑bar storage. Across all cabins, the latest generation of Emirates’ ice entertainment system delivers 4K and 4K HDR screens with faster touch response, improved map functions, camera views, eye‑comfort modes and Bluetooth pairing, supported by high‑performance Wi‑Fi via ViaSat’s Global Xpress network for significantly higher bandwidth onboard.
Economic impact and trade boost for South Australia
Each daily A350 flight provides up to 16 tonnes of cargo capacity, totalling around 224 tonnes weekly between Dubai and Adelaide for exports such as wine, seafood, chilled meat, fresh produce, flowers, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and fashion. The value of freight exports is estimated at roughly $98 million per year, with total expenditure generated by Emirates’ Adelaide services – including tourism spend – projected at around $160 million annually, underscoring the airline’s role in South Australia’s visitor economy and trade growth.
Strengthening Emirates’ Australian network
From 1 December 2025, all five Australian cities served by Emirates – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide – now feature the carrier’s next‑generation aircraft and Premium Economy cabin, offering more than 5,000 weekly Premium Economy seats between Australia and Dubai. The Adelaide A350 launch follows the introduction of the refurbished four‑class A380 with Premium Economy to Perth and sits alongside Emirates’ long‑standing investment in Australia, from sponsorships such as the Australian Open and Collingwood Football Club to community programmes like the Force for Good youth tennis initiative.
For South Australian travellers, Emirates’ A350 debut and Premium Economy launch deliver a significant upgrade in comfort, choice and connectivity, linking Adelaide seamlessly to Dubai and onward to Europe, the UK, the Middle East and Africa on one of the most advanced widebody aircraft in the sky.
