Emirates Debuts A350 Service to Dammam, a First for Saudi Arabia

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In a major milestone for regional aviation, Emirates has officially launched its Airbus A350 service to Dammam, making it the very first destination in Saudi Arabia to welcome the airline’s newest aircraft. The move underscores Emirates’ growing investment in the Kingdom, which has operated for over three decades.

Flight EK 827 departed Dubai International Airport at 7:30 a.m.and landed in Dammam at 7:50 a.m. local time. The return leg, EK 828, left Dammam at 9:20 a.m. and arrived back in Dubai at 11:45 a.m. This new deployment marks the beginning of regular A350 operations on the route, bringing a fresh level of comfort and technology to travellers flying between the two cities.

The Airbus A350 is a next-generation aircraft designed for comfort and efficiency. Emirates’ version comes in a three-class configuration with a total of 312 seats — 32 lie-flat Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 21 Premium Economy seats in a spacious 2-3-2 setup, and 259 Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 arrangement. Every seat offers access to Emirates’ award-winning ICE entertainment system, enhanced lighting, improved seat ergonomics, and high-speed Wi-Fi. The aircraft also boasts a quieter cabin and higher ceilings, giving passengers a noticeably more relaxed flight experience.

Regional First

This launch marks the first time Emirates has flown the A350 into Saudi airspace, and Dammam is leading the way. It’s a clear sign of the airline’s commitment to enhancing service across the Kingdom, where it already operates multiple daily flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina, and Dammam using a mix of Airbus A380s, Boeing 777s, and now, the A350.

Deploying such a sophisticated aircraft on a short-haul route like Dammam might seem bold, but Emirates’ goal is consistency in passenger experience. Whether you’re flying across the Gulf or across continents, the airline aims to deliver the same high-quality journey. The wider fuselage, taller ceilings, and improved cabin pressure on the A350 all contribute to that goal.

With Dammam now joining cities like Mumbai, Edinburgh, Bahrain, Colombo, Kuwait, Muscat, Tunis, Amman, and Ahmedabad, the A350’s global footprint is expanding fast. Emirates has already taken delivery of eight A350s and plans to operate the aircraft to 17 destinations by the end of 2025.

For passengers in Saudi Arabia, this means more choice, better comfort, and a glimpse of the future of air travel. For Emirates, it’s another step in a wider modernisation effort that continues to set the airline apart. With more than 140 destinations connected through its Dubai hub, the addition of the A350 on the Dammam route strengthens an already extensive network.

Today’s A350 launch isn’t just a new aircraft on an old route; it’s a signal of what’s to come as Emirates continues to raise the bar for regional air travel.