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
Great news!
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.
Delta is also opening up Orlando for more direct International flights. Sao Paolo has been announced already, and Amsterdam should be announced soon.
Quote from: ben says on August 06, 2015, 07:43:56 AM
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
I will be flying Emirates to go to London from SFO soon. ALways wanted to experience that airline. They have codeshare with Jetblue tho (???)
Quote from: simms3 on August 06, 2015, 11:36:50 AM
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)
^^^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).
Most of the foreign airlines makes ours look like dogshit. I enjoy Eithad, Emirates, and Korean are probably my favorites.
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.
Quote from: simms3 on August 06, 2015, 02:57:50 PM
^^^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)
Quote from: fsquid on August 06, 2015, 03:08:14 PM
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).
Quote from: Gunnar on August 06, 2015, 04:59:20 PM
Quote from: fsquid on August 06, 2015, 03:08:14 PM
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.
Quote from: Gunnar on August 06, 2015, 04:59:20 PM
Quote from: fsquid on August 06, 2015, 03:08:14 PM
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.
Quote from: ben says on August 06, 2015, 05:43:45 PM
Quote from: Gunnar on August 06, 2015, 04:59:20 PM
Quote from: fsquid on August 06, 2015, 03:08:14 PM
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 (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.
Quote from: spuwho on August 06, 2015, 09:27:48 PM
Quote from: ben says on August 06, 2015, 05:43:45 PM
Quote from: Gunnar on August 06, 2015, 04:59:20 PM
Quote from: fsquid on August 06, 2015, 03:08:14 PM
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 (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.
Totally agree Re: demand ex-DXB....but I think they'll have a major problem filling this flight up ex-MCO
Quote from: ben says on August 06, 2015, 05:43:45 PM
Quote from: Gunnar on August 06, 2015, 04:59:20 PM
Quote from: fsquid on August 06, 2015, 03:08:14 PM
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.
I'm not saying that this is the only reason - management and employee motivation are also reasons.
One disadvantage of the large established US and European carriers (that have been around and large for a long time) is the burden of pension / early retirement / benefit costs. I can only say this for Europe but while benefits and salaries have been cut considerably for new hires in the last years, they could not do that for employees that were hired prior to that. That means that there are lots of staff like pilots that get early retirement packages of roughly 250k/ year starting at age 57 I believe and this needs too be carried by the company.
Emirates started to grow later, plus their employees are hired foreign labor, so no worries on Emirates part in case they get sick, pregnant, old...they will be let go and replaced and I am sure no-one in Emirates' home country will care too much.
Found this interesting:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/emirates-airline-recruiting-in-germany-as-lufthansa-struggles-a-922751.html (http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/emirates-airline-recruiting-in-germany-as-lufthansa-struggles-a-922751.html)
Quote from: fsquid on August 06, 2015, 03:08:14 PM
Most of the foreign airlines makes ours look like dogshit.
Yeah, one of the arguments in favor of airline deregulation was that the wonders of free market competition would vastly improve the flying public's experience.
We see how that worked out.
Quote from: finehoe on August 07, 2015, 12:04:35 PM
Quote from: fsquid on August 06, 2015, 03:08:14 PM
Most of the foreign airlines makes ours look like dogshit.
Yeah, one of the arguments in favor of airline deregulation was that the wonders of free market competition would vastly improve the flying public's experience.
We see how that worked out.
Lol
Yeah, LAN CHILE is also a first class act. Real china and full service in coach!
Quote from: Gunnar on August 07, 2015, 02:14:08 AM
One disadvantage of the large established US and European carriers (that have been around and large for a long time) is the burden of pension / early retirement / benefit costs.
Another disadvantage is the outrageous executive compensation American airlines pay. The CEO of Delta made $17,589,867.00 last year, or 243 times the average Delta employee. The CEO of United and American over $12 million each.
Emirates on the other hand, is known to have the best compensation and benefits for their flight and cabin crew.
Who could have predicted that paying people well who do the work would work out better than spending it all on management?
Quote from: finehoe on August 07, 2015, 12:04:35 PM
Quote from: fsquid on August 06, 2015, 03:08:14 PM
Most of the foreign airlines makes ours look like dogshit.
Yeah, one of the arguments in favor of airline deregulation was that the wonders of free market competition would vastly improve the flying public's experience.
We see how that worked out.
Airlines may have been deregulated, but the air itself sure hasn't been. Calling air travel these days free market is like calling pre-ACA healthcare free market.
Quote from: finehoe on August 07, 2015, 12:38:26 PM
Quote from: Gunnar on August 07, 2015, 02:14:08 AM
One disadvantage of the large established US and European carriers (that have been around and large for a long time) is the burden of pension / early retirement / benefit costs.
Another disadvantage is the outrageous executive compensation American airlines pay. The CEO of Delta made $17,589,867.00 last year, or 243 times the average Delta employee. The CEO of United and American over $12 million each.
Emirates on the other hand, is known to have the best compensation and benefits for their flight and cabin crew.
Who could have predicted that paying people well who do the work would work out better than spending it all on management?
Emirates pay is competitive but they require 20% more working hours plus you have to adhere to a lifestyle agreement. Read the artice link Gunnar provided and you will see its not all roses for those to work in Dubai.
Also Emirates got a $90million royal subsidy as part of the Gulf Air arrangement. That 90m was spent on new aircraft.
Isn't it funny that Emirates 'see's us as an underserved market and aims their aircraft at Orlando. In another post we're all excited about a new flight to freaking New York City (as if as soon as your city is big enough for an airport, chances are you'll be connected to NYC). So with nearly 1.5 million people we can't even get to hubs such as Panama City, London or Paris.
Quote from: spuwho on August 07, 2015, 03:30:24 PM
...Emirates got a $90million royal subsidy as part of the Gulf Air arrangement. That 90m was spent on new aircraft.
U.S. airlines receive about $1 billion per year in tax breaks from state and local governments. What do they spend it on?
http://skift.com/2015/05/10/united-airlines-cuts-wages-while-outsourcing-to-company-with-big-tax-breaks/
Quote from: finehoe on August 07, 2015, 05:15:15 PM
Quote from: spuwho on August 07, 2015, 03:30:24 PM
...Emirates got a $90million royal subsidy as part of the Gulf Air arrangement. That 90m was spent on new aircraft.
U.S. airlines receive about $1 billion per year in tax breaks from state and local governments. What do they spend it on?
http://skift.com/2015/05/10/united-airlines-cuts-wages-while-outsourcing-to-company-with-big-tax-breaks/
And almost all of the US airlines have shed enormous amounts of debt through bankruptcy in the past decade as well.
Exactly right. They've never been in better shape...yet they have the world's worst legacy carrier products. Hence the proliferation and popularity of JetBlue/Southwest styled airlines...
I couldn't have been more excited when this service was announced. I've always wanted to take my wife to the Maldives on a Middle Eastern carrier, but getting there from FL is a big hassle. This service shaves many hours off the journey. And since Emirates has the BOGO with Amex Platinum, I went big and we're doing it in First. Just wish it was on the A380, but 777-200LR will be nice I'm sure. ;)
Quote from: MattyJax on August 20, 2015, 10:41:37 AM
I couldn't have been more excited when this service was announced. I've always wanted to take my wife to the Maldives on a Middle Eastern carrier, but getting there from FL is a big hassle. This service shaves many hours off the journey. And since Emirates has the BOGO with Amex Platinum, I went big and we're doing it in First. Just wish it was on the A380, but 777-200LR will be nice I'm sure. ;)
http://fly4.emirates.com/CAB/IBE/ResultByPrice.aspx If you and your wife flew out on September 1st you could take the A380-300 and if you stayed a week round trip airfare First Class will only put you back USD 29,237. Now if you go Economy for two people it's only USD 2,593 for both passengers. And Business Class for two only USD 15,819. And you would start your trip off in a A380-300 from Orlando Fl you finish up in a 777-300ER and of course this is on September 1st other days I bet the A380-300 could be booked. Now these flights or just regular bookings with Emirates and not the great deals you have with Amex Platinum enjoy your flight. :) p.s. If you do go First Class you could take a five minute shower. WOW! But if your fat it would take you five minutes just to soap up?
Capitalist Airlines Demand Federal Government Restrict Competition
The three big U.S. international airlines say competition from rapidly expanding Persian Gulf carriers has cut their passenger load to the Middle East and Asia by more than 20 percent.
That data was contained in the latest salvo from the triumvirate — American Airlines, Delta and United — as they seek federal intervention to slow the growth of gulf carriers.
In a filing this week to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the three U.S. airlines said the competition had caused sharp declines in their passenger volume from three major domestic airports that serve as hubs for routes to the Middle East and Asia.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/us-airlines-say-persian-gulf-carriers-taking-big-slice-of-international-pie/2015/08/26/b81ea098-4c12-11e5-bfb9-9736d04fc8e4_story.html
Quote from: MattyJax on August 20, 2015, 10:41:37 AM
I couldn't have been more excited when this service was announced. I've always wanted to take my wife to the Maldives on a Middle Eastern carrier, but getting there from FL is a big hassle. This service shaves many hours off the journey. And since Emirates has the BOGO with Amex Platinum, I went big and we're doing it in First. Just wish it was on the A380, but 777-200LR will be nice I'm sure. ;)
That's awesome.
Let me know when your Maldives trip is. Not only can I save you $$, but I can get you an upgrade, breakfast, $100 towards the spa/restaurant/resort, early check-in/late check-out, and maybe some comped transfers ;)
Quote from: finehoe on August 27, 2015, 08:19:52 AM
Capitalist Airlines Demand Federal Government Restrict Competition
The three big U.S. international airlines say competition from rapidly expanding Persian Gulf carriers has cut their passenger load to the Middle East and Asia by more than 20 percent.
That data was contained in the latest salvo from the triumvirate — American Airlines, Delta and United — as they seek federal intervention to slow the growth of gulf carriers.
In a filing this week to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the three U.S. airlines said the competition had caused sharp declines in their passenger volume from three major domestic airports that serve as hubs for routes to the Middle East and Asia.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/us-airlines-say-persian-gulf-carriers-taking-big-slice-of-international-pie/2015/08/26/b81ea098-4c12-11e5-bfb9-9736d04fc8e4_story.html
Instead of improving your product, whine.
Quote from: finehoe on August 27, 2015, 08:19:52 AM
Capitalist Airlines Demand Federal Government Restrict Competition
The three big U.S. international airlines say competition from rapidly expanding Persian Gulf carriers has cut their passenger load to the Middle East and Asia by more than 20 percent.
That data was contained in the latest salvo from the triumvirate — American Airlines, Delta and United — as they seek federal intervention to slow the growth of gulf carriers.
In a filing this week to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the three U.S. airlines said the competition had caused sharp declines in their passenger volume from three major domestic airports that serve as hubs for routes to the Middle East and Asia.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/us-airlines-say-persian-gulf-carriers-taking-big-slice-of-international-pie/2015/08/26/b81ea098-4c12-11e5-bfb9-9736d04fc8e4_story.html
If Dubai, Abu Dhabi and others were restricting gate slots at their home airports, then I would say the Americans have a case.
If the screed is just about subsidies, they dont have a case so much.
FedEx and JetBlue compete on their merits, just like the mid-east carriers. UA, AA and Delta compete on price and value.
Hard to go buy new 777 and A380 for international routes with classy cabins when you are fighting with shareholders over their last penny of dividend while you try to stay out of Chapter 11.
I have flown in Lufthansa Economy internationally and its no fun. Even on a 747.
We are planning another trip to South Africa and I am considering Emirates now since they started the Orlando service. Beats the pants off that Delta flight out of Atlanta. I cant sit for 13 hours in that cattle call again.