Emirates cites NE FL as a main reason for a direct Orlando-Dubai flight

[ben says]

Just got off the phone w/ Emirates corporate office in Dubai (specifically, the director for US sales and marketing).

Starting September 1, there will be a direct flight - on Emirates - from MCO - DXB.

One of the biggest reasons they expect this flight to work? "Northeast Florida is a relatively underserved flight market. Between medical and corporate avenues, we think NE FL is every bit as strong a destination (for different reasons) as an Orlando."

I found this fascinating, and while he has a point (we are underserved and Mayo Clinic biz alone should be a boon for this flight), I do suspect this flight will have a VERY hard time filling up on the outbound....

Fingers crossed!

ps, chances are I'll be on the inaugural flight. I'll be live-posting about the whole experience, of course. Details to follow.

http://www.emirates.com/us/english/about/news/news_detail.aspx?article=2261556

[Jason]

Great news!

[ProjectMaximus]

Interesting. I'm sure it's multiple factors as with all things.

I know four people making that trek to Dubai from Jax in November. But I think their flights are already booked and not through Emirates.

[Bridges]

Delta is also opening up Orlando for more direct International flights.  Sao Paolo has been announced already, and Amsterdam should be announced soon.

[Gators312]

Just got off the phone w/ Emirates corporate office in Dubai (specifically, the director for US sales and marketing).

Starting September 1, there will be a direct flight - on Emirates - from MCO - DXB.

One of the biggest reasons they expect this flight to work? "Northeast Florida is a relatively underserved flight market. Between medical and corporate avenues, we think NE FL is every bit as strong a destination (for different reasons) as an Orlando."

I found this fascinating, and while he has a point (we are underserved and Mayo Clinic biz alone should be a boon for this flight), I do suspect this flight will have a VERY hard time filling up on the outbound....

Fingers crossed!

ps, chances are I'll be on the inaugural flight. I'll be live-posting about the whole experience, of course. Details to follow.

http://www.emirates.com/us/english/about/news/news_detail.aspx?article=2261556

Rumor has it that the inaugural flight will be performed by an A380, then daily with the B77W

[simms3]

I will be flying Emirates to go to London from SFO soon.  ALways wanted to experience that airline.  They have codeshare with Jetblue tho ()

[ben says]

I will be flying Emirates to go to London from SFO soon.  ALways wanted to experience that airline.  They have codeshare with Jetblue tho ()

Emirates is one of the top 5 airlines in the world. Etihad is a tiny bit better, but you'd never be able to tell (I can't tell and I fly international 10+ times a year).

First class.....shower in the sky...enough said!!

@Gators312: it's no longer a rumor as I confirmed it this morning. A380 for the inaugural.

I should be on it....but I need Emirates to find my flights to/from Sydney after the inaugural. If they can't, I can't go (engagement in SYD for the first 2 weeks in September)

[simms3]

^^^Etihad, Emirates, and Turkish all just threw lavish parties here in SF to drum up support (I believe the flights do really really well, but as such they are competing for expansion here I think).

Someone referred me to take Emirates to London as it is supposedly a stopover before Dubai, but it appears the flight goes straight to Dubai   I was so looking forward to that, but never actually looked into it.

Only nonstop options are Virgin Atlantic (which allows me to get codeshare MQMs for Delta), UA, and British Airways (which has codeshare with AA as you know).

[fsquid]

Most of the foreign airlines makes ours look like dogshit.  I enjoy Eithad, Emirates, and Korean are probably my favorites.

[spuwho]

While no one is taking credit, but Emirates committed to OIA not long after the AAF/South Terminal decision was made.

I concur, Mayo Clinic overall has a large relationship with UAE and others in the area for health care.

[ben says]

^^^Etihad, Emirates, and Turkish all just threw lavish parties here in SF to drum up support (I believe the flights do really really well, but as such they are competing for expansion here I think).

Someone referred me to take Emirates to London as it is supposedly a stopover before Dubai, but it appears the flight goes straight to Dubai   I was so looking forward to that, but never actually looked into it.

Only nonstop options are Virgin Atlantic (which allows me to get codeshare MQMs for Delta), UA, and British Airways (which has codeshare with AA as you know).

I had friends at that Etihad party...if you only saw the 'gifts' they were giving away!!! I mean thousands in gifts...gold, watches, woods, cloths....like old school, quality stuff. Amazing.

For your flight, fly British. Trust me. (If you're paying for biz/first, let me know BEFORE buying the ticket)

[Gunnar]

Most of the foreign airlines makes ours look like dogshit.  I enjoy Eithad, Emirates, and Korean are probably my favorites.

That's easier if you (as an airline) have a sugar daddy who helps pay the bills - in many countries the airlines are still supported by the national governements (or at least there is some kind of government support / involvement) for national pride reasons or because they see them as strategic investments (especially on the Arabian peninsula).

[ProjectMaximus]

Most of the foreign airlines makes ours look like dogshit.  I enjoy Eithad, Emirates, and Korean are probably my favorites.

That's easier if you (as an airline) have a sugar daddy who helps pay the bills - in many countries the airlines are still supported by the national governements (or at least there is some kind of government support / involvement) for national pride reasons or because they see them as strategic investments (especially on the Arabian peninsula).

Just dont forget how subsidized the airlines are in the US as well. But your point is correct that the flagship carriers in other countries sometimes get far more beneficial treatment/subsidy from their governments.

[ben says]

Most of the foreign airlines makes ours look like dogshit.  I enjoy Eithad, Emirates, and Korean are probably my favorites.

That's easier if you (as an airline) have a sugar daddy who helps pay the bills - in many countries the airlines are still supported by the national governements (or at least there is some kind of government support / involvement) for national pride reasons or because they see them as strategic investments (especially on the Arabian peninsula).

When you look at the numbers, you'll find that U.S. carriers are HIGHLY subsidized. Regardless, I've never bought into the "non-US carriers are nicer because of subsidies".....I call bs.

[spuwho]

Most of the foreign airlines makes ours look like dogshit.  I enjoy Eithad, Emirates, and Korean are probably my favorites.

That's easier if you (as an airline) have a sugar daddy who helps pay the bills - in many countries the airlines are still supported by the national governements (or at least there is some kind of government support / involvement) for national pride reasons or because they see them as strategic investments (especially on the Arabian peninsula).

When you look at the numbers, you'll find that U.S. carriers are HIGHLY subsidized. Regardless, I've never bought into the "non-US carriers are nicer because of subsidies".....I call bs.

Mayor of Chicago grumbled when Emirates and Eithad wanted some O'Hare access (right in AA and UA backyard).  Emirates called the mayors hand it seems.

http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2015/05/27/chicago-mayor-rahm-emanuels-letter-sparks-war-of.html

I spoke with some friends from Dubai and they have been waiting for the Orlando-Dubai flight since it was first announced and are already booked in September.

Apparently there is some pent up demand in Dubai for this route.