EK has been pushing for extra flights into Sydney for God knows how long.

Now that EK is receiving its 77L planes that can fly nonstop DXB-SYD, why is it sending the 77L to GRU (and IAH)? Wouldn't it make sense to send the smaller A340-500 to South America at least at first, and then send the bigger B777-200LR to Australia? Are the flights to Australia limited by the number of seats EK can provide?

Cheers,

No clue but they have a DXB-BKK-SYD-AUK flight on 777 already too.
So maybe it's enough for now...

Incidently my recent BKK-SYD had like 30 people on it...it was great, had an exit row to myself and when I was tired, I went to lay down in a whole 4 seat row to myself....

My return was full full full & late late late....but didn't miss my connection in BKK so I was fine in the end...

Dang the FAs are young! It's shocking after being on NW most of the time...

If Emirates operated 345 to GRU and IAH it would have to take payload penalty given the greater route length plus 345 is less efficient vs. 77L. These are also important cargo markets for Emirates (remember cargo is likely driving the revenues/profits initially) and thus Emirates doesn't want to sacrifice profitability. The 345 operate the SYD and MEL services partially because the stage length is marginally shorter plus they already have a 2nd service (773/77W) and thus sufficient cargo capacity on the route. Emirates wants to upgrade the non-stop Oz services (EK412 and EK406) to 77W however the aircraft cannot do the route without payload restriction given their 10.00am departures out of DXB (heat). I understand the short-fall is not that big in technical terms but from a commercial standpoint still significant.

In 2008/2009 year, Emirates will receive the remaining 6x B77Ls on order. The plan is to take GRU upto a daily and introduce dedicated dailies to each of SFO and LAX. The final set of planes will be used to start 4-5x weekly DXB-GIG-EZE service or even DXB-EZE direct. I believe Emirates may also be looking to place a follow-on B77L order at the DXB airshow later this year.

Rgds
Emirates777