Emirates A350 Service Entry Slips Into 2025

Debut of the airline's newest fleet type was previously delayed into December 2024, but that date has now shifted to early 2025.

An Emirates A350-900XWB during testing (Photo: Emirates)
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Key Takeaways:

Emirates is again delaying planned service entry for its new Airbus A350. The aircraft was previously delayed into December 2024, but that date has now shifted to 2025.

According to Aeroroutes, the Dubai-based airline now expects to begin A350 service on Jan. 15, 2025. The new fleet type is initially slated to debut on flights between Dubai and Edinburgh.

The carrier also plans to serve Ahmedabad, Bahrain, Bologna, Colombo, Kuwait City, Lyon, and Mumbai with the aircraft, most of which will start in February.

Earlier this year, the airline expected to debut the aircraft in September 2024 with plans to take delivery of 10 A350s by the end of March 2025. Emirates has 65 A350-900s on order.

The aircraft will feature a three-class configuration, including business, premium economy, and economy cabins.

Emirates continues to face mounting delivery delays for both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Earlier this month, Boeing further delayed its 777X program into 2026 of which Emirates is the largest customer.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
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