LHUSA From United States, joined Aug 2005, 502 posts, RR: 4 Posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 4232 times:
Word around town is that EK is announcing to local travel agents that they are for sure starting service to ORD by spring time. The service will either be ORD-AMS-DXB or ORD-DUS-DXB. There has been tons of talk about EK coming to Chicago, but this is by far the most concrete info I've seen on the radar. Could be BS, but in my experience travel agents can be a great source for new routes.
LAXdude1023 From United States, joined Sep 2006, 4417 posts, RR: 22 Reply 2, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 4180 times:
There have been lots of rumors pertaining to EK. The EK representatives have been promising LAX-DXB service in some fashion for a while and have yet to deliver. I wouldnt give it any thought until it comes from upper management directly. Being a travel agent, I know that the reps help circulate the rumors. ORD, LAX, and SFO, seem to be the three airports constantly mentioned by the reps for new service. Who will get service and when is another question.
YOWza From Canada, joined Jul 2005, 4411 posts, RR: 33 Reply 3, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 4054 times:
Well every week there is an EK to the US rumour and nothing really seems to come of it. LAX, SFO, ORD and IAH have each come up at least once in recent months. For what my 2 cents are worth IAH will be the 2nd US destination.
As for serving ORD (or anywhere else for that matter) via AMS, that is simply not on the cards. Slots at AMS are hard to come by and EK Sky Cargo (from what I hear) is doing far too well to gamble turning that slot into a PAX flight.
YOWza
Airports flown this year:RGN,KUL,LHR,LAX,YOW,YTZ,MDW,SEA,SCL,EZE,AEP,IGR,MDZ,IAD,YVR
GLAGAZ From United Kingdom (Scotland), joined Feb 2004, 1907 posts, RR: 17 Reply 5, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 3987 times:
How about going via GLA? This will be AA's last summer on ORD-GLA and there has been talk of a 2nd daily EK service to Scotland for a while now...Sadly an unlikely outcome though
Gaz
Neutrality means that u don't really care cos the struggle goes on even when ur not there, blind and unaware
Behramjee From Canada, joined Aug 2003, 3768 posts, RR: 40 Reply 6, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 3962 times:
If ORD is served via an EU city, then expect an aircraft of the size of a B 772ER or -300ER to be used...similar to how JFK is routed from DXB via HAM.
Since it is a new route, EK would want to fly their new aircraft on it hence if routed via EU then I would bet on a B 773ER being flown.
As for serving ORD (or anywhere else for that matter) via AMS, that is simply not on the cards. Slots at AMS are hard to come by and EK Sky Cargo (from what I hear) is doing far too well to gamble turning that slot into a PAX flight.
yes I was thinking of that too and also its not likely that they will start 2 new PAX ROUTES with one flight as currently EK dont have pax flights to AMS.
I believe that DUS is double daily from DXB so most likely ORD would be routed via DUS in order to help the 2nd daily flight. EK will have 5th freedom rights on DUS-ORD-DUS if it eventually decides to fly the route.
I have read many places that when LAX starts, it would be routed via CDG for which EK has secured French Govt approval.
LAXdude1023 From United States, joined Sep 2006, 4417 posts, RR: 22 Reply 9, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 3867 times:
Quoting NateDAL (Reply 8): I don't think so. I recall that the chairman of Emirates said a few months ago that they wanted to start Houston "soon."
Believe it when you see it. I wont believe anything about new EK routes untill it is offically announced. I personally dont buy it (not yet anyway). Ive heard soooo many rumors from so many people at EK about an LAX-DXB for 2 years and it has yet to happen. A new EK rumor comes along all the time. Houston is my hometown and I would love nothing else than to see it happen, but I think we will see a flight in some form or fashion to LAX or ORD before IAH.
LouA340 From Canada, joined Oct 2005, 307 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 3862 times:
Just a quick question. Can the route be done nonstop with the A345's? Chicago doesn't seem all too far from JFK, or is the NY route already stretching the aircrafts limits?
Behramjee From Canada, joined Aug 2003, 3768 posts, RR: 40 Reply 11, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 3739 times:
yes ORD can be flown nonstop from DXB with the A 345 but it would be with a payload restriction I feel. Even though Airbus claims that the aircraft can fly the route nonstop, it cant with a full payload especially when considering how heavy EKs new F and J class seats / products / amenities weigh.
EKs A 345s seat 265 pax only and they dont want a medium density plane flying such a long haul route with a pay load restriction.
In anycase, EKs CEO Mr Tim Clark was recently quoted by saying that EKs eventual plan is to make all of its long and medium haul destinations DOUBLE DAILY SERVICE if the various bilateral agreements allow it to do so. With UAE-USA, you have OPEN SKIES so its ok.
Thus I will be not surprised to see by 2009, EK flying double daily to ORD, daily nonstop with the B 772LR and daily ONE STOP via DUS or another EU city.
Just look at how fast JFK became triple daily...they started the flight in July 2004 and within 2.5 years, its become a triple daily service effective this October.
ORDPIA From United States, joined Jan 2006, 135 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 3652 times:
If this is true it would be great news.
This has been a good year for ORD international with NH starting and Oasis stating there intent. I would love it if EK is added to the list.
from France and Germany they got it because they helped the EU economy and their own too big time by investing billions of $$$ by buying A 330s-340s and 45 A 380s.
Jacobin777 From United States, joined Sep 2004, 13323 posts, RR: 69 Reply 16, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 3316 times:
Quoting Behramjee (Reply 11): Just look at how fast JFK became triple daily...they started the flight in July 2004 and within 2.5 years, its become a triple daily service effective this October.
...I flew EK JFK-DXB-JFK back in August 2004....it was only 1/3 full...I hear loads are very good now....
Quoting Behramjee (Reply 11): yes ORD can be flown nonstop from DXB with the A 345 but it would be with a payload restriction I feel. Even though Airbus claims that the aircraft can fly the route nonstop, it cant with a full payload especially when considering how heavy EKs new F and J class seats / products / amenities weigh.
also, the A345 is setup for its "premium" routes such as JFK which probably gnerate a lot more money, I don't think ORD would be that caliber..the 777-200LR in a higher density configuration would do well..though I think the -300ER would eventually do well also..
Quoting NYCFlyer (Reply 13): How does EK keep getting fifth freedom to fly Europe-US?
20 years ago..EK's Clark signed 5th freedom rights with many countries because they didn't see EK as a "threat".....they figured they had more to gain..the problem was they never took advantage of it and never saw the train coming....
Orlando666 From Netherlands, joined Apr 2005, 168 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 3173 times:
Would like to see them in AMS (presently DUS is closest). Their Skycargo 747's are regular visitors here, there is a very dense pool of pi**d-off platinum KLM flyers who would vote with their feet/tickets and flee KLM/AF (me included of course). I used to be gold skywards for many years when I lived in UK/Switz/HongKong, now have to trek to DUS, and not the best connection times through DXB either for me.
HB-IWC From Greece, joined Sep 2000, 3907 posts, RR: 78 Reply 18, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 3120 times:
EK has a veritable plethora of further growth opportunities by starting new transatlantic flights via European destinations. The scheduling of such flights also fits perfectly in the airline's hub structure, as the flights can leave DXB in the early morning European departure bank, and continue their journey to the US in the early afternoon for a late afternoon arrival there. The return trip commences late in the evening, provoking a noon arrival in Europe and a midnight arrival back in DXB, right in time for the 2am departure bank.
I wouldn't be suprised at all if EK were to launch its next US destinations according to such patterns after which the airline can decide to make the operation nonstop if the passenger numbers and yields were to warrant such a decision.
764 From United States, joined Jul 2001, 489 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 3035 times:
Looking at EKs loades DUS-DXB, it would seem most reasonable to expect a DXB-DUS-ORD routing. Slots in DUS ar sparse, but quite readily available for longhaul services (DUS will more likely than not be willing to kick out a CRJ or two in order to receive a 777 or 333 across the pond). Plus, there is a huge market between DUS and ORD, especially considering potential UA connections out of Chicago.
EK156 From United Arab Emirates, joined May 2005, 733 posts, RR: 3 Reply 20, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 2927 times:
Quoting Orlando666 (Reply 17): Would like to see them in AMS (presently DUS is closest). Their Skycargo 747's are regular visitors here, there is a very dense pool of pi**d-off platinum KLM flyers who would vote with their feet/tickets and flee KLM/AF (me included of course). I used to be gold skywards for many years when I lived in UK/Switz/HongKong, now have to trek to DUS, and not the best connection times through DXB either for me.
EK will never get AMS anytime soon. KLM will not allow it!!! But Germany will definitely open up for EK so most probably their choice would be DUS. However there was an interview with a senior in Dubai Civil Aviation about promoting open skies and he was talking about US and Australia and he said that EK will start flying to LAX as of early next year....
LAXdude1023 From United States, joined Sep 2006, 4417 posts, RR: 22 Reply 21, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 2823 times:
Quoting EK156 (Reply 20): so I guess LAX will come first!
Nothing would make me happier, but I have to be skeptical. Rumors have been going on for a long time and nothing has happend yet. I do think LAX is definately the next logical step. LA is much larger than Chicago and has a larger middle eastern community. There are also a lot of business ties down here. However Chicago might be a more viable option if they were apart of the Star Alliance. But I definately think that not choosing LA as the next (USA) gateway would be a mistake on EK's part.
LAXdude1023 From United States, joined Sep 2006, 4417 posts, RR: 22 Reply 24, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 2008 times:
EK would be smart to try and tap in an underserved market from LAX. Maybe a through Germany or Scandinavia. I think they could actually service the route non stop with an Airbus 345 or 346, but Im not too sure about that.
6thfreedom From Bermuda, joined Sep 2004, 2955 posts, RR: 26 Reply 25, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 1895 times:
Quoting A3xx900 (Reply 23): when does LH start flying out of DXB to Australia?!
No time soon.
26 Paneuropean: It's about time they got pax flights to Schiphol. I do not think KLM can stop them from flying here. Probably slots aren't available at good hours. Ho
27 Scaledesigns: The route would not suprise me.They could tap into the Detroit middle east population also.Chicago is a huge business centre ,second only to New York
28 CHI787ORD: It seems like it would make sense. I dont think there is a question regarding business traffic. ORD-DXB will work in that regard. Also, the airport d
29 PIA777: I wish it was starting in December. I will fly to Pakistan then and it would be very convienent for me, since my mom wants to fly with me. Instead we
30 Mnik101: When EK starts getting the 777LR's thats when we will see more routes to the US. until than its wait and see. LAX and SFO are my bets for the first ro
31 LAXdude1023: LAX will probably come first with ORD not far behind once EK officially starts expanding into the US. LAX has a slightly bigger market for the flight
32 Behramjee: I spoke recently with a EK Sales Manager (cant disclose which area he/she works in) and was told that LAX would be the next US destination followed by
33 CHI787ORD: There probably are more middle easterns in LA than in Chicago but im not sure. But in terms of South Asians and Indian-Americans, Chicago does have m
34 Jacobin777: -EK has 2x/daily JFK-DXB flights..and soon 3x/daily...one will be via HAM......and two are direct right now -you would be surprised to see how much o
35 LH459: As was I. According to our EK rep, they originally had their eyes on SFO but then switched to LAX. Supposedly the powers that be in SFO were pretty p
36 Jacobin777: Thanks for the info.. Wow....I didn't know that... Quite interesting...that being said, I could see why SFO doesn't come on the top of the list for E
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This will be AA's last summer on ORD-GLA and there has been talk of a 2nd daily EK service to Scotland for a while now...Sadly an unlikely outcome though 
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...I flew EK JFK-DXB-JFK back in August 2004....it was only 1/3 full...I hear loads are very good now....
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