A weird thing to watch is three separate Auckland (New Zealand) to Dubai Emirates A380 flights depart 15 minutes apart, every day. Why such huge capacity on this obscure transcontinental route ? These three flights are really Sydney-Dubai, Melbourne-Dubai and Brisbane-Dubai. I heard from someone that the airport fees mean it is cheaper for Emirates to park three A380s in Auckland for most of the day than the Australian airports.
For as long as this arrangement lasts, it means that these amazing planes are serving the trans-Tasman (NZ-Aus) route every day. Believe me, there is no comparison at all in flying comfort between an Emirates A380 and any kind of 737/A320 (especially given that the A380s are less than half full).
You have to keep in mind that to get to Europe, any Australasian has to stop over at least once. Dubai is the most convenient; so really this route is Australasia to Europe.
Well, yes. Dubai is the Emirates hub. Europe-Australasia is one reason Dubai makes sense as a hub location. In fact one of the (few) redeeming features of travelling to Europe from Australasia is the large number of countries that are about half way, meaning a lot of airline/stopover options.
I went to get my connection in Dubai to Melbourne and was confused by the correct flight number but Auckland destination! I thought there must be a reason for the routing - interesting.
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A weird thing to watch is three separate Auckland (New Zealand) to Dubai Emirates A380 flights depart 15 minutes apart, every day. Why such huge capacity on this obscure transcontinental route ? These three flights are really Sydney-Dubai, Melbourne-Dubai and Brisbane-Dubai. I heard from someone that the airport fees mean it is cheaper for Emirates to park three A380s in Auckland for most of the day than the Australian airports.
For as long as this arrangement lasts, it means that these amazing planes are serving the trans-Tasman (NZ-Aus) route every day. Believe me, there is no comparison at all in flying comfort between an Emirates A380 and any kind of 737/A320 (especially given that the A380s are less than half full).
I think parking at Sydney is about $15/tonne MTOW - the 380's MTOW is 575 tonnes, so that's a cool $8700/day just to sit there doing nothing.
Even if they lose a few thousand on a half-full flight, it evidently still makes sense.
You have to keep in mind that to get to Europe, any Australasian has to stop over at least once. Dubai is the most convenient; so really this route is Australasia to Europe.
Well, yes. Dubai is the Emirates hub. Europe-Australasia is one reason Dubai makes sense as a hub location. In fact one of the (few) redeeming features of travelling to Europe from Australasia is the large number of countries that are about half way, meaning a lot of airline/stopover options.
I went to get my connection in Dubai to Melbourne and was confused by the correct flight number but Auckland destination! I thought there must be a reason for the routing - interesting.