Emirates' much-anticipated addition of the Airbus A350 to its fleet has hit another snag. The delivery of its first A350-900, registered as A6-EXA, has been delayed for the fourth time, now expected to arrive in January 2025. Originally scheduled for its inaugural flight from Dubai to Bahrain on September 15, 2024, ongoing delivery delays from Airbus have caused a shuffle in plans. The first flight was rescheduled for a Dubai-Edinburgh route on November 4, 2024, then postponed to December 2, 2024, in honor of the UAE’s National Day. Most recently, a further delay until December 16, 2024, was announced, but now sources suggest the first flight won't occur until 2025, departing Dubai for Edinburgh on January 15.

Emirates, with an order for 65 A350-900s, initially expected delivery in September 2024. Despite setbacks at Airbus, the airline aims to have received 10 A350s by March 2025. The new aircraft will serve a range of routes including Ahmedabad, Bahrain, Bologna, Colombo, Kuwait City, Lyon, and Mumbai, with tentative start dates beginning in February.

The A350s will operate in a three-class configuration, offering business class, premium economy, and economy cabins. The unveiling of the first A6-EXA aircraft slated for Emirates, with its inaugural flight reported on September 25, 2024, from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, marks an exciting step in modernizing the airline's fleet. Stay tuned as Pilotcenter.net News brings you the latest updates on Emirates' journey with the A350.