Global Traveler: What can you tell us about the A380 in regard to Emirates’ U.S. routes?

Nigel Page:

Our Dubai-New York route is the first commercial A380 service to the United States. The cabins have been beautifully appointed to fit and exceed the needs of our passengers. One new feature is our shower spa — two fully equipped bathrooms in first-class cabins with shower facilities.

We will also feature new onboard lounges. The lounge in the business-class cabin, for use by first- and business-class passengers, is designed to make passengers feel like they are in their own executive club. First class is also privy to a social area and bar at the front of the upper deck.

One of the many great aspects about this aircraft is that it is a greener aircraft. The flight will take between 12.5 and 13 hours, compared to 14 hours on a Boeing 777. The aircraft will offer fuel economy as low as 1.3 gallons per 100 passenger miles, better than that of Toyota’s acclaimed Prius hybrid passenger vehicle, which uses 1.8 gallons per 100 vehicle miles.

Travel is projected to almost triple in the next 18 years. With continued constraints on traffic rights and availability of landing slots, larger-capacity aircraft such as the A380 are key to Emirates’ plans to meet increasing passenger demand in the United States and around the world.

GT: In the past year we have seen the launch of flights to Dubai from Toronto, Houston, Buenos Aires and now Los Angeles. Has there been a swing in the importance of the U.S. market?

NP: There has always been a market in the United States for business travel, but we are now seeing a trend toward more leisure travel to Dubai. Back in 2004, hardly anyone knew where Dubai was. Today, everybody knows about Dubai because there is so much going on. Dubai has become the new Ascot of the Middle East with its racetrack. Foreigners can own property in Dubai. From the food to the five golf courses, the ski slopes, four-wheel driving, Busch Gardens and Dubai Land, Dubai has really caught people’s imagination. An exciting aspect to the Los Angeles flight is that it connects Dubai to Hollywood — a great connection as Dubai has become the film center for the Middle East.

GT: Do you expect the Americans traveling from the United States to the U.A.E. to use Dubai as a final destination, or as a transit hub?

NP: I think both. The proportion of business going to Dubai gets bigger every year and varies with season. Half of our flights are Dubai bound, the other half are to a network of 100 different destinations. I was told by a major European carrier that only 20 percent of their traffic goes to their home country and 80 percent goes beyond. We carry a much greater proportion to our home country. We now have a series of aircraft running day and night, 24 hours, which has made a big difference for the business traveler.