Emirates continues to expand its US network

Emirates airline is commencing a daily service to Orlando, Florida from September 1, 2015. The route will be served by a US-built Boeing 777-200LR with eight First Class suites, 42 Business Class lie-flat beds and 216 Economy Class seats.

Emirates flight EK 219 will depart Dubai International Terminal 3 at 03:50 hours local time and arrive at Orlando International Airport Terminal B at 11.40 hours local time, a flying time of 15 hours and 50 minutes.

The return flight, EK 220 will depart Orlando International at 14:20 hours and arrive into Dubai at 12:30 the following day, a 14 hours and 10 minutes flight.

Orlando will be the tenth US passenger destination Emirates serves, following on from Boston which launched on March 10 and Chicago on August 5, 2014. The airline has been serving the US for over 10 years, gradually expanding services on a commercial basis to serve the consistently high demand for its flights.

In 2014, Emirates’ average load factors on its US routes were over 80 per cent, offering single-carrier connections to over 50 global destinations not currently served by any US airline. Last year, Emirates carried over 2.3 million passengers and 106,000 tons of cargo to and from the US.

US visitors continue to visit Dubai in thousands as over 500,000 US citizens stayed in Dubai in 2014 to conduct business and explore the emirate’s array of leisure opportunities.

“Orlando is one of the world’s premier leisure and conference destinations, a dynamic business centre and a destination which Emirates has long wished to serve,” said Tim Clark, President, Emirates.

“As a growing region, we believe that our service will facilitate further growth for both Orlando as well as central Florida by connecting the city with our global network of 145 destinations across 80 countries; and give customers from Orlando the choice of flying Emirates whilst experiencing our award-winning inflight product and service,” he said.

“Orlando International Airport has always been an engine for economic growth and job creation in Central Florida," said City of Orlando Mayor, Buddy Dyer. "Today's great news that Emirates will fly non-stop Orlando to Dubai will boost our local economy with new jobs and continue to further Orlando as a premier global travel destination," he said.

"All too frequently, aviation news is dominated by announcements of fewer options, less comfort and shrinking value. By contrast, this pro-growth development demonstrates that international airlines can spur American jobs by providing supply where there is previously unmet demand," said US Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. "America sorely needs this kind of infusion of air service and customer service, not to mention the quality, unexportable jobs that are generated by increased travel," he said.

"JetBlue is delighted to see our codeshare partner Emirates expand into Orlando, one of our largest and most important markets," said Scott Laurence, JetBlue's senior vice president of airline planning.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.