Emirates flights return to Australia as travel restrictions ease

Emirates is bringing back flights in and out of Australia as travel restrictions ease and vaccination targets have been met in NSW and Victoria. See what’s on offer.

Emirates is bringing back flights in and out of Australia as travel restrictions ease and vaccination targets have been met in NSW and Victoria.

From November 2, Emirates will have its daily EK414/415 flights between Dubai and Sydney.

Flights to Melbourne will operate as a four-weekly service as EK408/409, with the potential to increase in line with demand.

Capacity on flights to Sydney and Melbourne will return to 100 per cent, allowing 354 passengers across all cabins to travel on its flights.

Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members will be able to enjoy unrestricted travel once again to and from the two points for the first time since the pandemic began.

Passengers must be vaccinated against Covid-19 with a TGA-approved vaccine.

From December 1, Emirates’ A380 aircraft, will also return to Australia and fly the Dubai-Sydney route daily, offering close to 50 per cent additional capacity.

The A380 will offer 516 seats in a three-class configuration, with 426 seats in Economy Class, in addition to its premium cabins, with 76 and 14 seats in Business Class and First Class.

Emirates will continue to operate to Brisbane and Perth with government–mandated capacity restrictions, requiring passengers to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine until rules are relaxed in Queensland and Western Australia.

Emirates Divisional Vice President for Australasia Barry Brown said for vaccinated travellers wishing to go home to Australia, this will mean no more restrictions on capacity and no quarantine on arrival into NSW or Victoria.

“Starting November 1st, Australians will also be able to plan a holiday and travel internationally,” he said.

“Of course that’s good news for us as we are ready to serve those customers with access to our network spanning more than 120 destinations via our hub in Dubai.”

Passengers have been encouraged to check eligibility requirements prior to booking as they are subject to change by federal and state governments.

Depending on where you are flying to and from, a positive test for Covid-19 will mean you won’t be allowed on a flight.

“We would like to thank our customers for their loyalty as we navigated the challenges together since the start of the pandemic,” Mr Brown said.

Passengers travelling in premium class can dine before flights with complimentary lounge access in Dubai and in select destinations around the airline’s network, and also enjoy chauffeur-drive service before and after their flights at its four points in Australia, in Dubai, as well as across its network.

Onboard, travellers can enjoy signature experiences such as the Shower Spa for passengers in First Class and Onboard Lounge for First Class and Business Class customers.

Customers of Emirates and Qantas still have access to multiple destinations because of their codeshare partnership.