
Emirates Launches A350 Flights to Dammam
The A350 now operates daily on flight EK827 from Dubai to Dammam, departing at 7:30 am and arriving at 7:50 am. The return flight, EK828, leaves Dammam at 9:20 am and lands in Dubai at 11:45 am. This addition brings enhanced passenger comfort and upgraded inflight features to the short-haul route.
Configured in three classes, the Emirates A350 offers 312 seats — including 32 lie-flat Business Class seats, 21 Premium Economy, and 259 in Economy. The aircraft boasts wider cabins, higher ceilings, improved lighting, quieter operations, and high-speed Wi-Fi, along with Emirates' latest ice entertainment system.
The move reflects Emirates' ongoing investment in the Saudi market, where it has maintained a presence for over three decades. The airline currently operates flights to four cities in the Kingdom — Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina, and Dammam — connecting them to over 140 global destinations via Dubai.
Dammam joins a growing list of cities to receive A350 service, including Mumbai, Edinburgh, Colombo, and Muscat. Emirates has introduced eight A350s so far and plans to deploy them to 17 destinations by the end of 2025.
News Source: Dubai Media Office

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The National
2 hours ago
- The National
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