Flight info for EK378/379 is now appearing in EK system, showing 3-class A330-200

The earlier mentioned changed to the EK354/355 Singapore service have now been loaded. EK355 has indeed been rescheduled from October onwards to an evening departure from SIN.

The B77L that will come off the SIN service effective September 01 will be deployed on the new IAD route, which will launch on September 12 with B77L instead of the earlier planned B77W.

Phuket, the largest island in Thailand located in the Andaman Sea, will, from 10th December, become Emirates’second destination in Thailand.

Operated by a three-class Airbus aircraft, EK378 will depart Dubai at 1245hrs and arrive at Phuket International Airport at 2155hrs. The return flight, EK379 will depart at 0035hrs the following day and arrive at Dubai International Airport at 0435hrs

Aircraft changes on Cape Town route
 

EK has loaded some aircraft changes to the DXB CPT route:

As planned, from September 01 until November 30, the route will reduce to one daily flight only. EK770/771 will operate with B77W.

Between December 01 and January 31, the route will operate twice daily with A345 and B77W, as originally planned.

On February 01, the B77W will be replaced by A343 for EK770/771, whereas EK772/773 will operate with A345.

From March 01 onwards, both daily flights will operate with A343, at least until the end of the W12 schedule.

These aircraft changes also seem to indicate that at least 2 A343s will be kept longer in the fleet than originally planned. Retirement of the type had been set for March 01.

Aircraft changes....

Washington Dulles New route from 12SEP12 to be operated by 777-200LR instead of -300ER (the -300ER will operate SIN EK354/355 from 01SEP12, however EK355 still showing 77L at this moment)

London Heathrow EK029/030 operates with A380 instead of 777-300ER from 10DEC12, therefore 5 daily A380 will move from 01FEB13 to this date

Hong Kong EK382/383 from 01SEP12 to be operated by A340-300 instead of A330-200

This is great, it should ease up the load on the lounge in SIN and it's also good to be able to get into DXB at a more reasonable hour than 5 am and still have the whole day in SIN.

But that's a lot more Y seats what with the 348/349 going 2 class as well later this year. And this is a route where EK needs more premium seats.

What a bummer, I am traveling to Phuket (HKT) 2 weeks before with my BIKE (bicycle) luggage only to fly to BKK with EK and to take another flight with TG to HKT. This will be a mess with the interline and the bike.

EK announces PHUKET/HKT
 

Had an interesting mail in my inbox at shift start that EK is going to fly directly to HKT! I find this amazing news as 95% of german pax into BKK will want to go HKT in the end. I think this may be a tourist only route not doing well in J/F. What do you guys reckon???

Save journeys,

NoGold:p

I agree, it is definitely a tourist route, but so are MLE, SEZ and MRU, all performing very well. Trying to get an upgrade to J or F for miles during peak periods... harder than you might guess.

And don't forget: there are more people travelling to 5 or 6 star resorts in Phuket for vacation willing and able to pay for the extra seat comfort on a long haul flight than you might think. Personally I hope it will switch to a 777 with proper Lie flat seats in J rather sooner than later.
The timing of the flight for connecting from the western european flights though doesn't seem to be too appealing yet.

What are peoples thoughts regarding the ex-DXB time to HKT?

12:45 connects with very little from Europe - even London with it's twenty zillion daily seats has 4 hours in Dubai as a best connection.

Slot restrictions? Changes at some point?

Wonder how QR have been doing - HKT via KUL looks less attractive now.

Also, come on DPS :(

Yes the times aren't ideal and could be due to slot restrictions. However, leaving Ex-Dubai 12:45 gives it a chance to pick virtually all of traffic arriving from Europe on overnight flights. Also, on the way back the flight reaches DXB early morning, which is perfect for connections to early morning departures to Europe

My concern here is the aircraft. BKG is served by an A380 while this will be a A330. I won't be surprised if people go via BKG (especially with the connection times not ideal) just for the aircraft as the disparity between the two equipment is just too much IMHO. I hope it is changed to a 772 at least soon

BKK it is.

If you look at many other new destinations started by Emirates in the past the aircraft that is initially deployed on many routes is the A332. This then (usually) quickly updates to either a A340-300 / -500 or one of the three types of B777s.

Time is your best friend in this case. ^

Sorry to be pedantic, but EK doesn't serve BKG (Branson Airport, Taney County, Missouri, USA). Though perhaps they'll start serving it sometime in the future, the rate at which they're expanding ;)

90% of people have no idea (and don't really care) what aircraft they are on, especially people travelling on holiday to places like Phuket.