The Emirates A380 was one of the first commercial aircraft in the world to offer internet to its customers, with first-generation systems offering a total aircraft bandwidth of less than 1 Mbps. Emirates’ installation of three Starlink antennas on each A380 will improve the Wi-Fi available onboard a thousand-fold, offering a ‘better than at home’ connectivity experience for customers while flying at 40,000 feet.

The first Emirates A380 aircraft equipped with Starlink returned to Dubai this week, after installation and certification were completed in Newquay, UK. With more A380s scheduled for accelerated installation throughout 2026, Emirates customers will soon enjoy a transformative leap in onboard connectivity, enabling them to stream, game, browse, and work throughout their journey on personal devices. The service will be complimentary for all customers across all cabins, with easy sign-up and access. Future enhancements will include Live TV streaming over Starlink, initially on personal devices and later integrated into seatback screens.

From its celebrated Onboard Lounge to its signature First Class Shower Spa, the Emirates A380 has consistently redefined long-haul travel, beloved by customers from all corners of the globe. With the addition of Starlink’s seamless connectivity across all cabin classes, the Emirates A380 experience evolves once more, delivering a fully connected journey in the sky.

A technical first for the world’s largest passenger aircraft

As the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the A380 presents unique engineering challenges and opportunities. This industry-first Starlink configuration is designed to meet the demands of the A380’s ‘double-decker’ layout and high passenger capacity. It is capable of delivering more than 2 Gbps of total aircraft bandwidth across the cabin.

Compared with the Emirates Boeing 777, the Emirates A380 features additional wireless access points and a third antenna to deliver an enhanced connectivity experience for its higher passenger capacity. Optimised inter‑deck integration supports a seamless Wi‑Fi experience, with customers able to enjoy high speeds depending on usage and device capability.

Accelerated rollout across an industry-leading fleet

Starlink installations will soon begin at Emirates Engineering facilities in Dubai to accelerate deployment across the fleet. Emirates is committed to delivering the best possible connectivity across its entire fleet at the earliest opportunity, with 25 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft already equipped with Starlink and the first A380 now in service.

So far, more than 650,000 Emirates customers have already flown on Starlink‑equipped flights, experiencing the benefits of next‑generation onboard connectivity firsthand.

Emirates continuous investment in elevating customer experience

The introduction of Starlink on the A380 builds on Emirates’ ongoing investment into redefining the customer journey, including one of the most ambitious retrofit programmes in aviation history. To date, 93 Emirates aircraft have been fully refurbished, featuring the installation of the widely acclaimed Premium Economy cabins, an enhanced Business Class, refreshed First Class suites, upgraded interiors and finishes in Economy Class and throughout all aspects of the cabin, and expanded and upgraded inflight systems that can offer more than 6,500 channels of entertainment.

To complement the significant upgrades across all hardware, Emirates continues to invest in its training programmes and facilities, which are instrumental to the customer experience. In mid-2025, Emirates opened a USD8 million facility — ‘Centre of Hospitality Excellence’ to train its 25,000 cabin crew in the art of hospitality onboard – bringing together both the tangible and intangible elements of an outstanding travel experience.

For more information on the airline or to make a booking, visit: www.emirates.com.

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With more than 250 families positively impacted, Emirates Travel Rehearsals are designed to support children and young adults with autism by allowing them to practice the journey through the airport to prepare for real flights — easing travel anxiety and empowering them to fly with greater confidence.

After the initial Emirates Travel Rehearsals in Dubai received positive feedback from families, schools and autism organisations, the Emirates Office of Accessibility & Inclusion developed the travel rehearsal into an official programme to be rolled out across its global network.

Since April 2025, Emirates’ Airport Services teams have come together to arrange more than 40 of these travel rehearsals across airports like Accra, Athens, Bali, Bangalore, Barcelona, Bologna, Brussels, Cairo, Christchurch, Da Nang, Delhi, Dubai, Dublin, Durban, Düsseldorf, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Harare, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, Luanda, Madrid, Mauritius, Milan, Newcastle, Nice, Orlando, Oslo, Paris, Peshawar, Port Luis, Rome, Stansted, Stockholm, Sydney, Toronto, Trivandrum, Venice and Vienna.

More than 35,000 Emirates staff have been trained to support customers with autism and can help facilitate travel and Travel Rehearsals. Emirates teams work very closely with airport authorities and partners to make sure each rehearsal is a supportive and successful experience for the families.

Emirates Airport Services Outstation & Business Support Senior Vice President, Sami Aqil Abdullah commented: “The Emirates Travel Rehearsal programme has been a resounding success across six continents, with impressive collaboration and drive shown by all stakeholders, from our own Emirates teams to our airport partners, and the parents and teachers who trusted us to support their children. We will continue to amplify this success with more locations, more teams involved, and more families positively impacted and empowered to fly with confidence.”

What is an Emirates Travel Rehearsal?

As the world’s first autism certified airline, Emirates is aware that for many families, international air travel is a highly challenging experience, or something to be avoided completely due to the high level of sensory stimuli that is involved. A survey on AutismTravel.com revealed that 78% of families are hesitant to travel or visit new locations for these reasons. For many people with autism, planning and predictability are critical – and an airport represents a world of unknown processes and stimuli.

Emirates Travel Rehearsals are a purposeful community collaboration and learning exercise arranged by Emirates, with the support of international airport teams, Border Control and Security teams, and schools and centres for autism across the world. The travel rehearsals empower neurodivergent people to participate in a real-time journey through the airport, practising the actions of checking in, dropping baggage, going through immigration and security, and experiencing the hustle and bustle of retail and dining areas. While familiarising themselves with the airport, participants are also issued mock boarding passes and given the chance to meet the many uniformed staff encountered along the way. In some airports, Emirates’ teams managed to arrange access to real aircraft for the children and young adults.

Positive feedback from participants

Now on an international level, parents, therapists, teachers, young adults, and children involved in the travel rehearsals so far have reported to Emirates that the experience has been invaluable in helping them have a safe and successful flight, by offering the comfort of preparation and familiarity, as well as trained staff to support.

Emirates will continue to arrange Travel Rehearsals across its global network throughout 2026, inviting more schools and centres to participate.

For more information on flights and to book, visit www.emirates.com.

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The two-month auction, which recently closed, generated over 900 bids from participants across 131 countries. Seven rare Emirates Skywards membership numbers with Platinum-tier status benefits were offered to bidders worldwide, with the highest single bid reaching AED1.6 million over the one-month bidding period. Two bidders secured 20-year Platinum memberships, while five others won 15-year memberships. Top bidders hailed from the UAE, UK, India, the US, Pakistan, France, Germany, Egypt and Thailand, among other countries.

Funds raised will enable the Foundation to launch new projects, while expanding support for the children and communities already benefiting from its existing programmes in collaboration with 14 NGOs across nine countries.

Following the success of the initiative, the Emirates Airline Foundation and Emirates Auction will continue to hold annual auction events, creating an ongoing opportunity for supporters worldwide to contribute to the Foundation’s mission.

Emirates Airline President and Chairman of the Emirates Airline Foundation, Sir Tim Clark, said: “When we brought this initiative to life in December, we were guided by a simple objective to look at new, innovative ways to grow the Foundation’s humanitarian work and impact. What made this initiative so compelling wasn’t just the exclusivity of the membership numbers, but the value and prestige that come with Platinum status. Bidders recognised that, and they showed up. The response was extraordinary and a testament to the generosity of our global community of Skywards members and bidders.

“The proceeds will allow us to do more, partner with more organisations, reach new communities, and strengthen the programmes already changing the lives of hundreds of children across India, the Philippines, Brazil, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and beyond. For the children at the heart of our work, this generosity will make a real and lasting difference.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Emirates Auction as an annual initiative, giving supporters around the world a meaningful way to contribute while receiving something of real value in return, proving that loyalty and generosity can work hand in hand.”

About the Emirates Airline Foundation

Operating under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Emirates Airline Foundation is Emirates’ official charity arm, providing vulnerable children with housing, healthcare, nutrition, education, and vocational support. 

Funded by Emirates customers and employees, the Foundation has completed more than 50 projects, with nearly all donations going directly to programmes.

Current Projects (14 NGOs across nine countries):

India: Emirates-CHES Home (37 children living with HIV/AIDS); IIMPACT Girls Education Project (5,000 girls across 11 states)

Sri Lanka: Prithipura Communities (250 individuals with disabilities receiving care, education, and vocational training)

Zimbabwe: St. Marcellin’s Children’s Village (56 orphaned children, including those with disabilities and HIV)

South Africa: Singakwenza Education and Health (1,000 children in early childhood education); Fikelela Children’s Centre (40 children affected by HIV/AIDS)

Kenya: Little Prince Nursery and Primary School (Kibera slums); Alfajiri Street Kids (200+ children in art therapy programs); Starehe Boys’ Centre (four-year scholarships for academically talented boys)

Philippines: Virlanie Foundation (housing and protection for abused, exploited, and orphaned children)

Brazil: Saint Rita de Cassia Orphanage (orphaned girls aged 4-12); Externato São Francisco de Assis (day school for underprivileged children)

UAE: SAFE Centre for Autism (innovative curriculum for students aged 4-18)

Bangladesh: Emirates Friendship Hospital (medical care to over 650,000 people in isolated areas)

About Emirates Auction

Emirates Auction LLC is the UAE’s leading auction house and a pioneer in the region’s asset auction industry. Established in 2004, the company has built a reputation for innovation, transparency, and operational excellence across a wide range of auction categories, including vehicles, real estate, distinctive number plates, exclusive watches, medical equipment, industrial assets, and charitable auctions.

Through its advanced digital platforms and extensive nationwide presence, Emirates Auction enables thousands of bidders to participate in real time from anywhere in the world. The company holds multiple Guinness World Records for record-breaking sales of high-value assets, real estate, and marine vessels, reinforcing its position as a global leader in premium and high-profile auctions.

Emirates Auction partners with leading government institutions, private sector organisations, and charitable foundations to advance initiatives that promote sustainability, innovation, and social development across the UAE.

With a shared commitment to excellence and social responsibility, Emirates Auction continues to collaborate with national institutions such as the Emirates Airline Foundation to create meaningful opportunities that benefit the wider community and reflect the UAE’s enduring spirit of leadership and generosity.

For more information on the airline: Tickets can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via both online and offline travel agents, as well as Emirates’ retail stores. WeChat Pay is available on emirates.com.

(Source: Your Stories — Emirates)

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As part of its ongoing retrofit programme, the airline will complete the upgrade of its first high-density, two-class A380 by mid-April. The aircraft will be reconfigured into a three-class layout featuring 76 Business Class seats, 56 Premium Economy seats, and 437 Economy Class seats.

The first upgraded aircraft will operate flights EK903/904 between Dubai and Amman from 14 April to 31 May, before moving to Prague on EK139/140 from 1 June. By November, Emirates expects to have retrofitted all 15 of its two-class A380s into the new three-class configuration.

Europe and North America

New York JFK: From 1 April, flights EK201/202 will be operated by a four-class, retrofitted A380 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, increasing to daily service from 1 June.

Zurich: From 1 March, Emirates will operate a four-class A380 on flights EK085/086, featuring Premium Economy. With this upgrade, the airline will offer more than 1,500 Premium Economy seats per week to and from Zurich.

Milan: Emirates will operate flights EK101/102 with a retrofitted, three-class Boeing 777-200LR fitted with Premium Economy from 10 May.

Dublin: Emirates will operate flights EK165/166 with a three-class retrofitted Boeing 777-200LR from 25 October. Once deployed, all 21 weekly flights to Dublin will offer Premium Economy.

Asia

Ho Chi Minh City: From 1 May, flights EK392/393 will operate on a three-class, retrofitted Boeing 777-200LR. With this upgrade, the airline will offer more than 600 seats per week in Premium Economy on its double-daily Ho Chi Minh City flights.

Hong Kong: Emirates will upgrade flights EK382/383 from a Boeing 777-300ER to an A380 from 1 October, and from 1 December will transition to a retrofitted A380 with Premium Economy.

Africa

Entebbe: Emirates will operate flights EK729/730 with the new A350 from 29 March.

Middle East

Basra: Emirates flights EK945/946 will operate with a retrofitted four-class Boeing 777-300ER starting 1 May, offering Premium Economy on all five weekly flights to Basra.

Indian Ocean

Mauritius: Emirates will operate a retrofitted three-class Boeing 777-200LR on flights EK709/710 from 29 March.

Emirates will further deploy a three-class A380 on flights EK362/363 between Dubai and Guangzhou from 1 October, offering seats in First, Business and Economy Class.

Tickets can be booked on emirates.com, in the Emirates App, or through online and offline travel agents, as well as at Emirates’ retail stores. WeChat Pay is available on emirates.com.

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Effective now, Emirates customers have access to 22 points across China operated by Loong Air, including Hangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. The cities span several regions across East, Northeast, South, Central, and Southwest China.

The partnership offers customers the convenience of booking multi-airline itineraries with a single fare, along with a single seamless baggage policy and consistent fare conditions throughout their journey. Emirates’ expanded reach in China will further enhance connectivity for leisure and business travellers alike, unlocking convenient access to key domestic hubs including Zhengzhou, Changchun, Haikou, Xiangyang, and Dazhou.

Tickets can be purchased on www.emirates.com, through online travel agencies (OTAs), and via travel agents via major GDS. Customers booking through Emirates’ official website can also use online payment methods such as WeChat Pay and Alipay.

Emirates in China

The launch of an interline agreement with Loong Air is part of Emirates’ ongoing commitment to the Chinese market. Last year, the airline launched flights to two new destinations – Shenzhen and Hangzhou, and has further enhanced its product offerings by deploying its award-winning Premium Economy on these new routes, in addition to bringing back its iconic A380 on Shanghai flights.

Emirates has operated in mainland China since 2004. Today, the airline serves five major cities with 49 weekly flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou, operating a mix of A380s, A350s, and Boeing 777s. 

In addition to Loong Air, Emirates partners with Air China, China Southern Airlines, and Sichuan Airlines, offering customers access to more than 110 points in China beyond its own network via its existing 5 gateways.

About Loong Air
 Zhejiang Loong Airlines Co Ltd (abbreviation: Loong Air) was founded on 19 April 2011. It launched passenger services on 29 December, 2013. Headquartered in Hangzhou, the airline has established branches in Xi’an, Chengdu, and Guangzhou.

(Source: Your Stories — Emirates)

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The airline has invested AED174 million (USD47.4 million) to expand its travel retail footprint. It is building on this momentum, with plans to introduce 29 additional travel retail concepts in 2026, bringing the total store count to 48 by the end of this year.

Delivering personalisation and expert support, blended with an incredible lineup of its iconic onboard products and the latest immersive technologies, Emirates World retail stores meet customers where they are, in a modern, welcoming environment, in key cities across its network. As a result, Emirates travel retail concept stores have attracted over 1.4 million walk-in customers since 2024, underscoring their appeal and growing role in the travel planning journey.

Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim reflects: “As we accelerate the global rollout of our Emirates World Stores concept, we are cultivating opportunities for travellers and our travel partners to engage with our brand, immerse themselves in our iconic products and experiment with cutting-edge tech to imagine what their journeys could look like, as they effortlessly orchestrate their journeys with our expert consultants. With more travel retail concept stores coming online in cities around the world this year, we’re proud to welcome customers to these beautiful spaces designed for discovery, provide exceptional service and help everyone get the most out of Emirates’ latest products and services so they can truly ‘fly better’.”

The first Emirates World Store debuted in November 2022: a 3,000-square-foot space delivering the airline’s signature products and the latest experiential technologies, nestled within one of Dubai’s most dynamic neighbourhoods, Jumeirah.

The flagship Emirates World Store in Dubai became the blueprint for accelerating the airline’s retail expansion, with global flagship store openings in London, Nairobi, Casablanca, Manila, Cairo, Singapore, Bangkok, and Riyadh. In parallel, Emirates has opened similar mid-sized concept travel stores in Paris, Karachi, Hong Kong, Accra, Geneva, Mauritius and Jakarta with plans to expand these travel retail concepts across its global network to Athens, Rome, Madrid, Istanbul, Amman, New Delhi, Mumbai, Shenzhen, Tokyo and Cape Town this year.

No two stores are exactly alike.

For instance, Dubai features a dedicated hub for industry networking and engagement, while Singapore, Riyadh, Cairo, and London showcase a First-Class cabin seat display. Casablanca, Hong Kong, and London offer a Premium Economy seat display, giving visitors a first-hand look at the airline’s latest cabin. Cairo and London also feature the iconic A380 onboard lounge, bringing the onboard experience to the ground.

The newest store in Abidjan features an A380 onboard lounge and a Business Class seat, reinforcing Emirates’ premium positioning and commitment to immersive retail experiences.

The airline will continue to roll out its travel retail concepts to new locations, showcasing its latest travel experiences and exceptional service from knowledgeable team members.

Emirates World stores also offer digital aficionados self-service kiosks and other digital touchpoints to streamline transactions, as well as interactive features such as a selfie mirror that offers travel inspiration to visitors as they capture mementoes against stunning destination backdrops.

Every location features curated, destination-specific Emirates-branded collections and premium travel accessories, offering discerning travellers sophisticated essentials that elevate their travel experience. For example, the London store carries Emirates Official Store merchandise and travel accessories inspired by in-market Emirates sponsorships, including Wimbledon, the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, and Arsenal.

 Visitors to Emirates travel retail stores across its network can enrol in Emirates Skywards, the airline’s award-winning loyalty programme, via the in-store self-service kiosk. 

Learn more about Emirates Skywards here

(Source: Your Stories — Emirates)

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To launch this new feature on the app and celebrate greater flexibility for members, Emirates Skywards members in the UAE will also benefit from a special launch offer, giving 50% off Miles converted into cashback until 28 February 2026.

Skywards members using the Skywards Everyday app can earn and convert Miles at more than 500 partner brands across a wide range of categories, including dining, shopping, beauty and wellness, groceries and services with a host of well-known brands from Costa Coffee, Salt, Al Jaber Optical, Swarovski, NARS, Cole Haan, Tory Burch, Borders, Barry’s, BinSina Pharmacy, Lacoste and many more.

Emirates Skywards, Divisional Senior Vice President Dr Nejib Ben Khedher, said: “We’re pleased to announce even more flexibility for our members across the UAE, as the Skywards Everyday app now gives them the option to convert Miles into cashback. Our members can earn and spend across 500 of the UAE’s favourite brands and then get rewarded with Miles or cashback on their card. It’s another added value on everyday activities that our members appreciate.”

How to start earning and converting Miles on the go

• Download the Skywards Everyday app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store and log in using your Emirates Skywards membership details.
• 1. Save up to five Visa or Mastercard debit or credit cards.

• 2. If you choose to earn Miles, the process stays the same, and Miles are added to your account automatically.

• 3. If you choose to convert Miles, you will receive an in-app prompt to either earn Miles or convert them to cash back.

Skywards members earn 1 Mile for every AED 3 spent on high street shopping, leisure and entertainment, luxury shopping, beauty and wellness, services, and dining and 1 Mile for every AED 5 spent on groceries and pharmacy purchases. Members can earn even more Miles when using an Emirates Skywards Credit Card. Members living outside the UAE can also download the Skywards Everyday app and earn Miles when visiting the country.

A world-class loyalty programme

Crowned ‘Best Global Airline Loyalty Program’ at the International Loyalty Awards 2025 — Emirates Skywards continues to offer its members unmatched rewards and benefits. With more than 37 million members worldwide, Emirates Skywards offers four tiers of membership: Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with each tier earning exclusive privileges.

Members can earn Miles with partners ranging from airlines, hotels and car rentals to financial, leisure and lifestyle brands. Skywards Miles can be spent on an extensive range of rewards, including flight tickets with Emirates and partner airlines, flight upgrades, hotel stays, retail shopping and money-can’t-buy experiences.

For more information, visit emirates.com/skywards. 

(Source: Your Stories — Emirates)

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The additional flight, EK320, will depart Dubai at 2230 and arrive in Tokyo Narita at 1330 the following day. The return service, EK321, will depart Tokyo Narita at 2130 and arrive in Dubai at 0350 the following day. All times are local.

The second daily flight will provide travellers with greater choice and enhanced opportunities for multi-destination itineraries, including the convenience of a stopover in Dubai. Eastbound passengers on the additional Narita service will arrive in the afternoon, strengthening domestic connectivity and reducing connection times from key European and Middle Eastern markets. Westbound travellers departing from Tokyo Narita will benefit from an early-morning arrival in Dubai, enabling seamless onward connections to major destinations across Europe, Africa and South America, including Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Brazil.

With the deployment of a refurbished Boeing 777-300ER on flights EK320/321 to Tokyo Narita, Emirates doubles down on its commitment to offer a consistent travel experience for its customers in Japan. The four-class aircraft features upgraded interiors with new design elements, including modern colour palettes, specially designed Ghaf Tree motifs, and wood finishes across all cabins. Travellers will have access to 260 of the latest-generation economy seats, 24 Premium economy seats, 40 business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, and eight First Class Suites.

The onboard experience is rounded off with regionally inspired cuisine, featuring Japanese dishes such as a Kaiseki meal tray. Travellers across all cabins will also enjoy more than 6,500 on-demand channels on Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, featuring movies, TV series, podcasts, music, and documentaries, supplemented by a selection of Japanese content.  

Emirates in Japan

Emirates has been serving Japan since 2002 and currently operates three daily flights to Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and Osaka, with all services offering the airline’s Premium Economy product on a mix of Boeing 777s and A380s.

From 1 May, Emirates will offer more than 22,500 seats per week to and from Japan across 28 weekly flights serving three gateways. Every week, the airline will carry 1,240 tonnes of cargo to and from the country, providing substantial capacity for local businesses to transport their products to key markets in the GCC, Europe, and Africa.

The airline has also enhanced its offering for premium customers in Narita with the introduction of its world-class Chauffeur-drive service earlier this month. The service will also be extended to premium customers in Osaka from 1 March.

Emirates offers expanded domestic connectivity through partnerships with Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways, serving 36 destinations, including 26 domestic and 10 regional points. The additional frequency to Narita further provides travellers with greater flexibility and more convenient connection options to these points and beyond.

Tickets can be booked on emirates.com, in the Emirates App, or through online and offline travel agents, as well as at Emirates’ retail stores.

(Source: Your Stories — Emirates).

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Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, is expected to mark the first Ritz-Carlton Lodge in the world and a major milestone for New South Wales’ (NSW) regional tourism. 

An expression of the renowned luxury brand, Ritz-Carlton Lodges are purpose-built sanctuaries in nature, thoughtfully designed to reflect their surroundings while prioritising minimal environmental impact and delivering a heightened sense of luxury, comfort, and craftsmanship synonymous with The Ritz-Carlton. Anticipated to open mid-2026, the project offers a new benchmark for luxury travel and the potential to reinvigorate the region’s tourism offering.

Since 2006, Emirates has invested AUD150 million in the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort, developing the property with deep respect for its environmental and cultural heritage. This has included the careful restoration of historically significant landmarks — such as the original homestead dating back to 1832 — alongside extensive conservation programmes to restore indigenous flora and fauna, including the planting of more than one million native trees across the site. Emirates is now investing an additional AUD50 million in renovations, working in consultation with Marriott to transform the property into a world-class expression of The Ritz-Carlton’s legendary service and refined design, with a deep connection to place.

As a reflection of Emirates’ commitment to the location, following the closure of Wolgan Valley Road in 2023, Emirates has maintained the site with a small number of locally employed staff while the property was unavoidably non-operational.

Since the resort’s founding, Emirates has worked closely with the local Wolgan Valley community and remains committed to continued engagement. The opening of Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, has the potential to re-create nearly 150 jobs in the community, including increased opportunities for local suppliers ranging from fresh Australian produce to sundry items, thereby contributing to the local economy.

Guests will access the resort by four-wheel-drive service via the Donkey Steps, which will become part of the resort’s rural off-road experience, or by helicopter. 

Emirates Airline President Sir Tim Clark said: “In our 30 years of operations in Australia, Emirates has consistently sought to deliver value to our customers, and to Australia. Our commitment extends well beyond the provision of air transport services. It is reflected in the strong, enduring relationships we have built with our industry partners, and in our active engagement with the broader Australian community through Emirates Wolgan Valley, and our extensive sponsorships in sports and the arts.

“We are proud of our long-term investment in the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort, which launched one of Australia’s first conservation-based luxury resorts. Our unwavering commitment to the resort leads us to today’s announcement of an exciting agreement with Marriott International to open the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge.

“For us, Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, will not only be an extraordinary resort appealing to discerning travellers seeking to be close to nature, but also a powerful engine for local economic growth, helping to rejuvenate the Wolgan Valley locality.

“We are deeply grateful for the support from the Federal government, and for our partnerships with the State government, Lithgow City Council, and the Wolgan Valley community, who have helped Emirates make this project possible.”

An immersive sanctuary that harmonises wilderness with comfort, Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, is designed to deliver the legendary service and refined luxury for which The Ritz-Carlton and Emirates are known, while creating a profound connection to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains region. Inspired by the warmth and character of the traditional Australian homestead, the lodge is expected to offer unique, region-specific signature experiences led by expert guides.

Nestled within an expansive 7,000-acre conservation reserve, the lodge occupies less than 2% of this protected wilderness, ensuring an unparalleled sense of space and seclusion. Guests enjoy exclusive access to pristine landscapes beneath some of the world’s clearest night skies, rare native flora such as the ancient Wollemi Pine, and an extraordinary array of wildlife, including kangaroos, bare-nosed wombats, and brush-tailed rock wallabies. Together, these elements create a remarkable setting that invites travellers to slow down, explore, and connect deeply with the destination.

With demand for premium, nature-based experiences at an all-time high, the lodge makes for a perfect addition to this thriving destination. Tourism Research Australia reports regional NSW welcomed 15.5 million domestic visitors in the quarter to September 2025, generating AUD5.9 billion in visitor spend and 18.5 million overnight stays. International arrivals contributed an additional 727,300 visitors and AUS1.2 billion in spend, underscoring the region’s growing appeal.

Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, is expected to feature 40 elegantly appointed lodges, each including private pools and bespoke amenities. Plans also include for the lodge to offer a signature sleep-out experience – a guided journey into remote wilderness where the absence of light unveils a breathtaking night sky, setting the stage for an evening meal outdoors and relaxation by a campfire. This unique overnight adventure marries the comfort The Ritz-Carlton is known for with the unspoiled beauty of Australia.

Design plans for the property’s main homestead envision a sanctuary of sophistication, featuring a welcoming arrival lounge and sitting room, a signature restaurant, a lounge bar, and a wine room, offering guests a curated selection of local and international wines alongside the exceptional produce Australia is known for worldwide.

Fully renovated recreational spaces will be thoughtfully reimagined to honour wellbeing and the natural environment, including an outdoor pool, tennis courts, equestrian stables, a modern fitness centre, and the world-renowned The Ritz-Carlton Spa. As part of the lodge’s commitment to the destination, it is also slated to feature a dedicated naturalist hub led by a resident expert to curate immersive, conservation-led experiences, inviting guests to connect deeply with the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains.

The lodge will complement The Ritz-Carlton brand’s existing presence in the country, including The Ritz-Carlton, Perth (opened 2019) and The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne (opened 2023).

For more information on flights and airline bookings, visit: www.emirates.com. 

(Source: Your Stories — Emirates)

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These destinations are added to the existing Chauffeur-Drive service available at Haneda Airport, reinforcing Emirates’ position as the only international airline offering this premium chauffeur-driven service in Japan.

Available to First Class and Business Class customers travelling on eligible Emirates-operated flights, the Chauffeur-Drive service offers a seamless, door-to-door travel experience, providing complimentary private transfers between the airport and a customer’s home, hotel or office.

Emirates’ world-class ground service for premium travellers at Tokyo Narita is rounded out with access to the airline’s lounge in Terminal 2.  

Service coverage and key details

• Chauffeur-Drive service coverage includes up to 100 driven kilometres per journey, calculated based on the shortest distance between the airport and the customer’s designated pick-up or drop-off location.
• Service to Narita International Airport covers the Tokyo 23 wards and most parts of Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa prefectures.
• Service to Kansai International Airport covers Osaka City and most parts of Osaka, Nara, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures.
• Excess mileage beyond the 100-kilometre allowance will be charged at JPY 500 per additional kilometre, with applicable tax/VAT added.
• Any excess mileage charges are to be settled directly with the driver, payable in cash (Japanese Yen only) or by credit card.

Customers can arrange their Chauffeur-Drive service in advance through Manage Your Booking on emirates.com, or via the Emirates contact centre 03-6743-4567.

The expansion of Chauffeur-Drive further complements Emirates’ growing presence in Japan, where the airline operates flights to Haneda Airport, Narita International Airport and Kansai International Airport.

For more information on Emirates’ Chauffeur-Drive service, visit: https://www.emirates.com/jp/japanese/experience/chauffeur-drive.

(Source: Your Stories — Emirates)

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