TORONTO — Emirates’ offering from Canada to Dubai now features not one but two flagship Airbus aircraft experiences: brand new A350 service from Montreal, complementing the iconic, double-decker A380 service from Toronto.

Flights from YUL were previously served by B777s. Montreal travel professionals got a chance to check out the new A350 earlier this month at an industry event at YUL hosted by SVP, Commercial Operations, Europe and Americas, Thierry Aucoc.

Montreal is the very first city to welcome Emirates’ A350 among the 19 destinations served by the carrier in the Americas. The debut marked a chance for Emirates to make the A350 experience exactly their own, said Aucoc.

“When they put a new aircraft into service, most carriers simply take the configuration of their other aircraft and apply it to their new planes. Not us,” Aucoc told Profession Voyages at the Montreal launch. “In the case of the A350, we’re obviously not the first to use it, but we thought we’d do something special in terms of the look and feel, the colours, the details, the screens, the “Mercedes” seats (they’re reminiscent of the Mercedes S-Class seats). We’ve particularly focused on our Premium Economy class, which is almost like Business Class.”

The A350 deployed on the Montreal route features a three-class configuration accommodating 312 passengers: 32 next-generation Business Class seats (1-2-1 layout), 28 Premium Economy seats (2-3-2), and 238 spacious Economy Class seats (3-3-3).

SPIRIT OF INNOVATION

It was the same spirit of innovation Emirates brought to its A380 design, one that’s made the aircraft so popular on the Toronto-Dubai route.

“When we started using the Airbus A380, we thought it would be a great opportunity to do things differently: new plane, new spirit, let’s change everything,” he said. “So we fitted out large bathrooms and showers in first class, included a small bar on board and suites that close off, and configured business class in a 1-2-1 layout, among other things. Not only did we arrive with a new aircraft, but we also integrated a new concept into it.”

Consistency is important, he added. “We prefer to use the same aircraft on the same destination to maintain the uniqueness and consistency of our service: if someone flies in Premium Economy on the A350 on the outbound journey, we want them to be able to enjoy the same level of experience on the return journey.”

Emirates Airlines’ A380 aircraft, serving YYZ-DXB daily, year-round

HIGH DEMAND

Emirates introduced its A380 for Toronto-Dubai on June 1, 2009, and more than a decade later (and following the pandemic years) demand was so strong that in 2023 the airline boosted its YYZ-DXB frequency to daily service.

Travelweek asked Aucoc about the Toronto flights. Is demand as high as ever? “Bookings for Emirates flights out of Toronto in 2026 are healthy, with steady demand driven primarily by VFR (visiting friends and family) travel, particularly during peak holiday periods,” he said.

While the A350 is stunning and a perfect fit for the Montreal route, the volume on the YYZ-DXB route means Toronto will keep the iconic A380, said Aucoc: The Airbus A380 continues to be a strong fit for Toronto given the consistent demand on the route and high capacity that it offers.”

“WE’RE NOT OPPOSED TO THE IDEA OF EXPANDING WESTWARD”

Toronto and Montreal are so strong for Emirates, there are no plans to add other Canadian gateways – for now. “We do not have immediate plans to add new Canadian destinations, however, Emirates will continue to evaluate opportunities based on demand and remains open to expanding based on market needs,” said Aucoc.

He added: “Canada is a huge country, with populations fairly concentrated in the east and west. We are not opposed to the idea of expanding westward, but to do so, we need to expand our fleet. However, our capacity is limited by the number of aircraft at our disposal. Thus, we are still awaiting delivery of our Boeing 777X aircraft, the first of which were supposed to enter service as early as 2021.”

Emirates’ codeshare agreement with Air Canada makes it easy for travellers to connect to Emirates’ YYZ and YUL gateways via 37 destinations across Canada and the US.

Premium Economy onboard Emirates Airlines’ A350 flights from Montreal

STOPOVER PROGRAM: DUBAI EXPERIENCE

Emirates’ stopover program, Dubai Experience, allows for a free stopover in Dubai of up to 48 hours, and access to hundreds of on-site experiences, packages and specials, and hotel stays. The price points are excellent, said Aucoc.

“We encourage travel advisors to discuss this option with their clients and promote it, as it’s entirely to their advantage,” he said. “If advisors make attractive offers, their clients will appreciate them and remain loyal. Furthermore, this program makes it easier for them to sell seats on Emirates, as it offers a significant advantage over other airlines.

Currently DXB welcomes nearly 100 million passengers per year. “When the new airport is inaugurated in 2032 or 2033, it is expected to ultimately welcome 250 million passengers annually; all markets will therefore contribute to this traffic,” said Aucoc.

Any other selling points that travel advisors should keep in mind?

“I suggest they talk to their customers about the quality of our airline and our service,” said Aucoc. “We also invest heavily in refurbishing our aircraft – $5 billion in total! – offering exceptional meals and wines, and overall, providing an unparalleled in-flight experience. While this comes at a price, we position ourselves as a premium airline, and that’s the market we’re targeting.

“I believe we have the strongest brand in the entire airline industry, and that passengers who fly with us remember their experience, are proud to have experienced it, and want to talk about it to others at every opportunity.

“All of this is great for travel advisors, who find themselves with a lot of added value to offer their clients, and they always come out on top. We work extensively with advisors and agencies, who sell nearly two-thirds of our inventory. And we intend to keep it that way,” he added.

Lead image caption: Emirates’ SVP, Commercial Operations, Europe and Americas, Thierry Aucoc