Emirates launches new Boeing 777 service on Melbourne-Dubai route
Third daily non-stop flight to begin in March 2025
Emirates is set to introduce a third daily non-stop flight between Melbourne and Dubai, starting 30 March 2025.
This new service will be operated with the airline's newly retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER, which features an enhanced four-class configuration, including the award-winning Premium Economy product and the latest-generation Business Class seats.
Currently, Emirates operates two daily non-stop flights between Dubai and Melbourne using Airbus A380s. Additionally, the airline runs a daily service between Dubai and Melbourne via Singapore with a Boeing 777-300ER. However, as of 30 March 2025, the Singapore-Melbourne route will be discontinued, and the third direct Melbourne-Dubai flight will replace it with a fresh flight number.
Third daily non-stop service
The new Dubai-Melbourne service, flight EK404, will depart Dubai at 21:15hrs, arriving in Melbourne at 17:40hrs the following day. The return flight, EK405, will depart Melbourne at 23:55hrs and land in Dubai at 07:00hrs the next day.
This third daily service will offer greater flexibility for travellers, enhancing the already strong connectivity provided by Emirates. The airline serves more than 27 cities in Europe via Dubai, including key hubs like London, Paris, and Frankfurt. With multiple daily flights to these destinations, the new Melbourne route will further improve the airline’s comprehensive network, offering passengers an unparalleled range of options for their travels.
State-of-the-art Boeing 777
The retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft deployed on the new Melbourne route will feature 8 First Class Suites, 40 Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy seats, and 256 Economy Class seats. The new aircraft is designed to offer superior comfort and convenience, with the Premium Economy cabin receiving high praise. Named ‘Best in Class’ at the 2024 Business Traveller Asia-Pacific awards, the Premium Economy seats are fitted with cream leather upholstery and offer 38 inches of seat pitch, 19.5 inches of width, and a reclining range of up to 8 inches, providing more space for stretching and relaxing.
The Business Class cabins are equipped with 20.7-inch-wide seats that convert into fully flat beds, reclining up to 78.6 inches. The cabin also boasts aisle access for all passengers, a small bar area for mid-flight refreshments, and an array of charging outlets for personal devices. Each Business Class seat features a personal 23-inch HD screen, one of the largest in the skies, ensuring a premium in-flight entertainment experience.
Enhanced travel options
With the addition of this third Melbourne-Dubai service, Emirates is set to offer a total of 3,472 weekly Premium Economy seats across Melbourne and Sydney, allowing even more customers to experience the airline's best-in-class products and upgraded amenities.
This also supports Emirates’ broader commitment to expanding its network in Australia. Along with the new Melbourne service, Emirates has reinstated additional routes, including the second Perth service, which resumed on 1 December 2024. The airline now offers nearly 12,000 weekly seats to and from Perth, boosting connectivity with major cities such as London, Dublin, Rome, and Edinburgh.
Reviving pre-pandemic capacity
Emirates’ focus on restoring its Australian network is part of its efforts to return to pre-pandemic capacity. The airline has now resumed 77 weekly services to Australia, connecting Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. This increase in flight capacity not only enhances convenience for passengers but also contributes to the economic recovery by fostering tourism, trade, and business investment.
Additionally, Emirates is well-positioned to help drive trade between Australia and the UAE. The airline’s fleet, capable of carrying over 2,350 tonnes of cargo weekly, plays a vital role in facilitating the flow of goods between the two nations. This supports the broader efforts to strengthen economic ties, especially in light of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in November between Australia and the UAE.
Emirates’ future in Australia
Emirates has been an integral part of Australia’s aviation landscape for nearly three decades. The airline’s investment goes beyond its flight services; it employs hundreds of Australians and has made substantial investments in local businesses. The Emirates Group, which includes dnata, has a wide-ranging presence in Australia, partnering with sports and cultural organisations such as the Australian Open, the Collingwood Football Club, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Through its extensive cargo operations, Emirates also supports Australia’s position as a critical trade hub. Together with its longstanding codeshare partnership with Qantas, the airline offers access to more than 120 destinations across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Over the last decade, Emirates and Qantas have carried more than 15 million passengers across 543,000 flights, highlighting the success of their collaboration in delivering seamless connectivity.
With the introduction of a third daily service between Melbourne and Dubai, alongside expanded services to Perth and Adelaide, Emirates continues to play a crucial role in the recovery and growth of Australia’s tourism and trade sectors. The airline’s commitment to providing exceptional service, modern aircraft, and unrivalled connectivity ensures that Emirates will remain a key player in Australia’s aviation industry for years to come.