Emirates to double its A350 operations in Colombo with second daily flight featuring Premium Economy

Colombo, Sri Lanka: Emirates will introduce a second daily A350 service between Dubai and Colombo from 8 August, further elevating the travel experience for customers with expanded access to the airline’s latest-generation aircraft and its highly sought-after Premium Economy cabin. The A350 aircraft will replace the current Boeing 777 aircraft operating the flight. The deployment of the additional A350 on flight EK648/649 will double the number of daily flights with Premium Economy cabins on the route, reinforcing Emirates’ commitment to delivering enhanced comfort, choice and connectivity for travellers to and from Sri Lanka. Emirates currently operates four daily flights to Colombo with a mix of Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft. Emirates’ flight EK648 departs Dubai International Airport (DXB) at 16:10hrs daily and arrives at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) at 22:10hrs. The return flight EK649 departs CMB at 02:55hrs and reaches DXB at 05:50hrs. All times are local. The second A350 service complements the daily schedule and, along with EK654/655, provides customers choice in flight timings to suit their itinerary and more opportunities to fly in Premium Economy. The Airbus A350, the newest aircraft type to join Emirates’ all-widebody fleet, introduces the airline’s latest in-flight experience. Designed with bright and airy cabins, the aircraft offers more space and comfort across all classes, complemented by cutting-edge technology and enhanced entertainment options, in multiple languages including Tamil and Sinhala, that elevate every journey. Central to the A350 experience is Emirates’ award-winning Premium Economy cabin, which has quickly become one of the airline’s most in-demand offerings. Configured in a spacious 2-3-2 layout, the cabin features cream leather seats with elegant woodgrain finishes that echo the sophistication of Business Class. Each seat offers 19.5 inches of width, a generous 40-inch pitch and an 8-inch recline, along with a six-way adjustable headrest for optimal comfort on longer journeys. A 13.3-inch personal screen ensures an immersive entertainment experience in a refined and relaxing onboard environment. Customers travelling in Premium Economy also benefit from a thoughtfully curated service designed to enhance every stage of the journey. This includes a welcome drink, seasonal menus and an extensive beverage selection, as well as an exclusive amenity kit, a sustainably made blanket and a generously sized pillow. On the ground, passengers enjoy priority boarding, a dedicated check-in area at Dubai International Airport and a generous baggage allowance of up to 35kg, ensuring a seamless and comfortable travel experience from start to finish. The Emirates A350 also features the airline’s latest cabin innovations, including ultra-responsive 4K and 4K HDR touchscreens, faster Wi-Fi connectivity and wider aisles across all classes. With extra-high ceilings and one of the quietest twin-aisle cabins in commercial aviation, the aircraft is designed to maximise passenger comfort while delivering greater efficiency. The introduction of a second daily A350 service builds on the successful debut of the aircraft on the Colombo route in March 2025, when Emirates launched its Premium Economy experience in Sri Lanka. The enhanced deployment underscores the airline’s continued investment in the market. Emirates offers three non-stop daily flights on the Colombo-Dubai route with a range of timings in addition to one daily service via Male’. In addition to EK648/649 and EK654/655, both operated with an A350 aircraft featuring Premium Economy, Emirates also offers services on a B777 scheduled as EK650/651 and EK652/653. Marking 40 years of operations to Colombo this year, Emirates connects Colombo to almost 140 destinations across its global network, supporting tourism and trade while offering customers its signature “Fly Better” experience.