Bologna becomes the first Italian city, and one of the first 10 worldwide, to welcome Emirates' new A350
Emirates marks the arrival of its new-generation A350 aircraft at Bologna's Guglielmo Marconi Airport. With this milestone, Bologna becomes the first Italian city – and one of the first ten worldwide – to welcome the Emirates A350, marking a new chapter in the direct connection between the capital of Emilia-Romagna and Dubai. Emirates selected Bologna as one of the first airports in the world to welcome the new Airbus A350, recognizing its strategic location – Marconi Airport is in fact a key regional hub that serves a much wider area beyond the city itself, including Modena, Parma, Ferrara, and Rimini – the efficiency of its infrastructure, and the dynamism of its local economy. This choice reaffirms the value of a solid, decade-long partnership, which began in 2015 with the launch of the direct flight to Dubai and has since been strengthened through a series of significant achievements.
'We're pleased to be back here to celebrate an important milestone that confirms the strategic role of this gateway within Emirates' global network' – said Flavio Ghiringhelli, Country Manager of Emirates in Italy. 'Our partnership with Bologna is a story of shared success and steady growth. Just last year, we joined the airport in celebrating the 10-million-passenger milestone, and two years ago we celebrated together the one-millionth Emirates passenger flying through this gateway. Today, we mark a new chapter with the arrival of the A350, a true symbol of innovation and excellence. We firmly believe that this next-generation aircraft will not only enhance the travel experience for our passengers but also act as a catalyst for increased commercial and cultural exchanges, further strengthening the ties between Bologna, Italy, and the rest of the world'.
Today, Emirates remains the only carrier to operate a direct flight between Bologna and Dubai, the airline's strategic international hub connecting five continents and serving 150 destinations. 'We are delighted – said Nazareno Ventola, CEO of Bologna Airport – to be alongside Emirates to celebrate the arrival of its A350 in Bologna. It is truly an honour and a privilege to have been chosen by Emirates as the first airport in Italy to operate this aircraft, a symbol of innovation and highest level of service quality, on its daily direct flight to Dubai. Our collaboration with Emirates turns 10 this year and is truly a success story, a partnership that has improved the connectivity of Bologna and the Region to the World, particularly to the Middle East and Far East'.
The arrival of the A350 marks the introduction of a new aircraft into the Emirates fleet – the first in over 15 years – and represents a significant milestone that reinforces the airline's commitment to innovation, sustainability and passenger comfort. Featuring a three-class cabin configuration, the new Airbus accommodates up to 312 passengers: 32 next-generation Business Class seats, 21 Premium Economy seats and 259 Economy Class seats, offering generous space and comfort ideal for medium- and long-haul routes.
Quiet, technologically advanced, and designed to enhance the flying experience, the Emirates A350 introduces Premium Economy on this route for the first time: a travel class that combines elegance and accessibility. With more spacious seats, dedicated service, and refined details, this class is ideal for those seeking a sophisticated journey without sacrificing practicality, an experience that meets the growing global demand for comfort and quality.
Each Premium Economy seat is designed to offer a distinctive and superior standard: elegant design, generous legroom, wide seats suitable for work or relaxation, individual power outlets, and a convenient side table. The experience is completed by meticulously curated service, gourmet menus inspired by regional culinary traditions, a rich selection of beverages – including Chandon Vintage Brut 2016, a global exclusive for Emirates Premium Economy passengers – dedicated amenity kits, and access to the award-winning ice inflight entertainment system, featuring over 6,500 on-demand channels in more than 40 languages.
Premium Economy is not only available on the A350 but also serves over 60 destinations worldwide, thanks to Emirates' $5 billion fleet modernization program that is introducing this travel class on its A380 and B777 aircraft. This is why you can also enjoy Premium Economy from Milan Malpensa, now the second Italian gateway to feature Emirates' new cabins. This marks another step forward for the airline, which continues to invest in expanding its premium options and offering travellers increasingly personalized and high-quality flight experiences.
Emirates remains a fundamental pillar of Italian air connectivity, operating through four strategic gateways that link Italy to the vibrant hub of Dubai and the airline's extensive global network.
From Bologna Airport, flight EK094 departs daily, arriving in Dubai at 23:30 local time, while flight EK093 departs daily from Dubai at 09:20, arriving in Bologna at 14:40 (all times are local). This daily Bologna service perfectly complements other Italian routes: two daily flights from Milan, three from Rome, and one daily flight from Venice.
This widespread presence brings the total number of weekly Emirates flights from Italy to Dubai to 49, offering travellers great choice and flexibility. Adding to this offering are seven weekly flights from Milan to New York, further consolidating Italy's role as a crucial hub for intercontinental connections.
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