OK..does that mean IAD is not going to get EK anytime in near future?
oh..crap :(

No, probably not for while. EK has already chosen next new US destination. ORD will be on the list.

I used to live in DC and it really isn't a lost. Just fly into JFK and make a connecting flight or ride the Chinatown bus back home. It's not as bad as it sounds.;)

On another note...

Starting the 1st of March '12 EK372/373 (DXB-BKK-DXB) will be operated by the A388. Operations to cease on the 24th of March '12.

That is interesting, it could be a glitch in the system, as it also says that there will be 12F/42J/310Y able to be booked at the moment, which of course we all know is the capacity of a 77W! If anything I can imagine BKK going (back?) to two daily 380s, as it seems to be a route with very high loads. Of course the operations are supposed to cease on the 24th of March, and isnt that the day, LHR is supposed to go 4 daily 380s? So could be a temporary route placement. Interesting to note that EK029/030 to LHR is also showing the capacity of a 77W at the moment! hmm!

The next A380 airframe should be delivered on Feb 24th, so I see no reason to down grade unless some frames are going for wing inspections/fixes.

Yes..I could do that but there is an extra leg of flight which easily eat away around 6-7 hrs of time.

Probably this year, I will head to Qatar airlines :(

I've always flown out of DCA so it isn't really that bad. I would just do a DCA-JFK leg and all the bags get checked through (i.e. DCA-JFK via AA, JFK-HKG via CX) so there is no hassle.

Yes, sure it is. EK will be next A380 delivered and this is #21 A380 (A6-EDU) will come online.

So this rapid expansion is really going to kill their service quality. With all these new A380s coming in, I'm guessing they'll have to cut training time and bump up a lot of the current FAs to do service in the A380 business/first cabins.

I can see it now...Emirates Aviation College....ONLINE. ;)

With many of Emirates' A332, A343, A345s and some B772 and B773s due to be phased out in early 2013 or even late 2012, it wouldn't take long for many of those crews to begin ground schools and endorsements on the A388 or the B77W. If they haven't already. Though I would say most senior Captains would've had the opportunity to re-train for the A380 already.

Keeping in mind the EK scouts are quite good at coming back with more baggage than they left with (staff).

3rd daily to MXP with A332 eff from 01JUN

After LHR, LGW, MAN, FRA and CDG, a sixth destination in the 3am departure bank.

EK0101 DXB MXP 0340 0825
EK0102 MXP DXB 1110 1920

3-class A332

This is a weird return at 1110 and coming in at 1920. Why is departing that late from DXB at 0340 in the first place? It could depart and land an hour earlier to fly back to DXB to meet the 2-3pm departure bank like all other European flights as listed above.

Am I making a wrong observation? How are these other destinations above handle this?

Nothing weird about this schedule. It follows exactly the same pattern as the other flights from the small 3 am European departure bank:

EK007 DXB LHR 0230 0700
EK011 DXB LGW 0250 0720
EK021 DXB MAN 0300 0755
EK043 DXB FRA 0320 0835
EK071 DXB CDG 0355 0905
EK101 DXB MXP 0340 0825

EK008 LHR DXB 0840 1845
EK012 LGW DXB 1000 1950
EK022 MAN DXB 0940 2000
EK044 FRA DXB 1100 1915
EK072 CDG DXB 1120 1950
EK102 MXP DXB 1110 1920

There is limited longhaul connectivity to the return portions of these flights, but I would expect to further develop the small 10 - 11 pm departure bank with additional Asian and African destinations.