Emirates Takes Off For Brazil

Emirates, the international Dubai-based airline, made history yesterday when EK261 took off from Dubai International Airport en-route to Sao Paulo, Brazil; representing the first ever non-stop flight between the Middle East and South America.

Emirates is using its technically advanced Boeing 777-200LR on the route, with Brazil becoming the 60th country and Sao Paulo the 94th destination on the airline's rapidly expanding network.

Passengers from over 12 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, India, Malaysia and Australia, joined the first flight to Sao Paulo after connecting through Dubai from other Emirates flights.

All four daily Emirates flights from New Zealand to Dubai connect with the Sao Paulo service.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, said: "Today marks an important milestone for Emirates; not only is it our first gateway in South America, but it means we now fly non-stop to six continents from Dubai.

"Our services provide a perfect match for business people and leisure travellers from the whole Middle East region, Africa, Far East and Australasia seeking a convenient route to South America. The service will also offer Dubai as a new tourist and business destination to the relatively untapped market of South America."

Passengers travelling on the Dubai - Sao Paulo route will enjoy unrivalled in-flight service, including eight luxurious private suites in First Class, 42 of the airline's latest lie-flat seats in Business, and generous space for 216 passengers in Economy.

The aircraft is fitted with the ice Digital Widescreen - Emirates' next generation inflight entertainment system, offering over 1,000 channels of movies, TV and game entertainment on demand - more than any other airline offers, by far.

Emirates Holidays, the tour-operating arm of Emirates Airline, will offer its customers a blend of samba, carnival, natural settings and beach culture. The highlights will be Sao Paulo, the Brazilian vanguard and cultural centre, and Rio de Janeiro, famous for its carnival celebrations, the beat of samba and its vibrant beaches.

Emirates Holidays packages the best of Brazil, taking the discerning traveller on a country tour to discover the most magnificent natural scenarios such as Rio's Corcovado.

ENDS