Emirates Launches Airbus A350 to New West Asian Destination
Emirates Airline Expands Fleet with A350 Service to Bahrain
DUBAI – Emirates Airline, the flagship carrier of the UAE, has reached a significant milestone by making Bahrain International Airport (BAH) the first destination in its global network served exclusively by the Airbus A350. This exciting development was marked by the arrival of the airline’s third A350 on June 2, 2025, highlighting Emirates’ commitment to modernization and enhancing the passenger experience.
With the introduction of a third daily flight operated by the A350 between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Bahrain, all Emirates flights to the Kingdom are now exclusively serviced by this cutting-edge aircraft. This strategic move aligns with Emirates’ commitment to its ‘Fly Better’ initiative, which aims to elevate customer experiences across its network.
Emirates A350 Flights to Bahrain
The new Emirates A350 flight, designated EK835, departs Dubai at 02:00 hrs and arrives in Bahrain at 02:15 hrs. The return flight, EK836, takes off from Bahrain at 03:40 hrs, landing back in Dubai at 06:05 hrs.
The Airbus A350-900 features a modern three-class configuration, consisting of:
- 32 Business Class seats (1-2-1 layout)
- 21 Premium Economy seats (2-3-2 layout)
- 259 Economy Class seats (3-3-3 layout)
Passengers can look forward to superior cabin comfort, enhanced by higher ceilings, quieter interiors, and advanced lighting systems. Additionally, Emirates offers its award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, which now provides a more cinematic viewing experience, supported by faster onboard Wi-Fi.
The exclusive service of the A350 on routes to Bahrain underscores Emirates’ dedication to the Kingdom while catering to the growing demand for enhanced passenger experiences in short- and medium-haul markets. The A350 is also operational on other international routes, including Amman (AMM), Kuwait (KWI), and Mumbai (BOM), with plans to expand A350 operations to 17 destinations worldwide by the end of 2025.
Resumption of Services to Damascus
In a separate development, Emirates is set to resume flights to Damascus International Airport (DAM) starting July 16, 2025, after a 13-year hiatus. This decision follows a thorough evaluation in collaboration with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Initial operations will commence with three weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday, expanding to daily service by October 26, 2025.
These flights will be operated using the Boeing 777-200LR, featuring:
- 38 Business Class seats (2-2-2 layout)
- 264 Economy Class seats
The outbound flight EK913 will depart Dubai at 12:00 hrs, arriving in Damascus at 14:10 hrs local time. The return flight EK914 will leave Damascus at 16:30 hrs, landing back in Dubai at 20:30 hrs.
This resumption of services aligns with broader UAE-Syria efforts to strengthen economic and cultural ties. The trade volume between the UAE and Syria reached USD 680 million (AED 2.5 billion) in 2024, reflecting a 23% year-over-year increase. The renewed air links are expected to stimulate further trade, investment, and tourism.
Emirates will also enhance its Damascus services through a codeshare agreement with flydubai, providing additional connection options across its extensive 150-destination global network. This expansion supports the large Syrian diaspora and opens new travel and business opportunities in the region.
A Legacy of Connectivity
Emirates first launched services to Damascus in 1988 and carried over 2.1 million passengers before suspending operations in 2012. Currently, the airline operates 191 weekly flights to 13 cities across the Middle East and GCC, with Damascus now poised to rejoin the network pending final approvals.
Passengers traveling on the Damascus route can enjoy a full suite of amenities, including Levantine cuisine, premium beverages, and access to over 6,500 entertainment channels via the ice system, featuring more than 650 Arabic language options.
For more information on Emirates Airline’s fleet updates and service expansions, visit Emirates Official Website or check out our related articles. We invite you to share your thoughts on these exciting developments in the comments below!
