Emirates Brings Next Generation A350-900ULR to Adelaide
Emirates is finally brining its latest business and premium economy class product to Adelaide
Emirates has officially announced it will launch its brand-new long-range Airbus A350 on the Adelaide route from 1 December 2025. Replacing the ageing Boeing 777-200LR, which was long overdue for an upgrade, the move signals a major improvement in comfort and technology for Adelaide travellers.
What's it like to fly the A350-900ULR?
The A350, Emirates’ latest generation aircraft, is set to operate daily services between Dubai and Adelaide under flights EK440 and EK441. The introduction of this new aircraft type marks a major milestone for Emirates’ Australian operations, with all five cities it serves now set to offer next generation aircraft interiors by the end of the year.
"The A350’s arrival to Adelaide has been highly anticipated and earmarked for some time. Deploying our first long-range A350 to Adelaide underscores our commitment to South Australia and providing travellers with an unparalleled travel experience," said Barry Brown, Divisional Vice President Australasia at Emirates.
The Boeing 777 that previously flew to Adelaide had seen better days with a configuration that is dated by modern standards. The 2-2-2 seat layout, while once common, no longer meets the expectations of travellers who now prefer direct aisle access and greater privacy, for obvious reasons. The absence of a Premium Economy cabin also made the offering less competitive as this is now a best seller for Emirates. The switch to the new A350 represents a major step forward in terms of passenger experience.
Inside the New Emirates A350 Experience
The Emirates A350 comes equipped with three cabin classes, offering 32 next generation Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 28 Premium Economy seats, and 238 seats in Economy. For Business Class passengers, the A350 product will feel familiar but modernised.
Based on the Safran platform seen on the Emirates A380, the A350 Business Class seats offer direct aisle access, 4K inflight entertainment screens, wireless Bluetooth pairing, wireless charging, and extensive seat controls. The footwell is generously sized, providing plenty of space even when lying flat.
That said, the A350 Business Class seat is on the narrower side, particularly noticeable when sleeping on your side, and the fixed armrests can feel restrictive for broader travellers. While the product is a significant improvement over the old 777, some travellers may find the lack of a privacy door less appealing compared to newer Business Class designs.
Passengers across all classes will notice the upgraded technology onboard. Premium Economy introduces wider, cream-coloured leather seats with wood finishes, adjustable headrests, and 13.3-inch entertainment screens. Meanwhile, Economy Class also benefits from the next generation ice system, featuring ultra-responsive 4K touchscreens, eye comfort modes to reduce blue light, and new Bluetooth pairing.
A subtle but premium touch includes electric window blinds in Premium cabins that feature the Emirates Ghaf tree motif when closed, a thoughtful design element unique to the A350.
"Emirates has been an incredible shot in the arm for our State’s economy, both for tourism and trade, so it is wonderful to see the international airline continue to invest in the route by launching the A350 in December," said South Australian Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison.
From a performance perspective, the Airbus A350-900ULR is one of the most fuel-efficient twin-aisle aircraft in service today and offers the quietest cabin of any widebody aircraft. Emirates' version can stay in the air for up to 15 hours, making it a strong choice for the Dubai to Adelaide route.
With Adelaide becoming the first city in the Emirates network to receive the long-range A350, local passengers can look forward to a much-needed cabin refresh, world-class amenities, and a significantly better flying experience compared to what was previously available. The upgrade is not just timely, it is transformational.
Tickets for the new A350 service to Adelaide are now available on emirates.com.
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