Emirates Brings Game-Changing A350 to Adelaide: What It Means for Aussie Travellers

From December 1st, Emirates will be upgrading its Adelaide–Dubai route with the sleek, next-gen Airbus A350-900ULR—a move that’s bound to shake up long-haul travel for Aussies heading to the Middle East and beyond.

This isn’t just any aircraft swap. The A350 comes loaded with perks that’ll make your journey more comfortable—whether you’re in business class, premium economy, or down the back. Think: quieter cabins, higher humidity, and lower cabin pressure for reduced jet lag.

Business Class Just Got a Serious Makeover

Gone are the outdated 2-2-2 layouts. In comes Emirates’ brand-new ‘S Lounge’ business class, inspired by the luxury of a Mercedes S-Class. Expect a 1-2-1 layout with direct aisle access, lie-flat 78" beds, a massive dining/work table, and a crisp 23” 4K screen with Bluetooth audio streaming.

Need to charge up? You’ve got AC, USB-A, USB-C, and wireless charging right at your seat. And yes, overhead bins in the centre are gone to make the cabin feel even more spacious—but the window-side bins are big enough for your carry-ons.

Plus, there’s a stylish self-serve snack bar stocked with fruit, sandwiches and sweets to keep you going.

Premium Economy That Actually Feels Premium

The new A350 also brings Emirates’ increasingly popular premium economy cabin to Adelaide. Think 19.5” wide seats with 8” of recline, calf-rests, footrests, and adjustable headrests. The tech isn’t bad either: 13.3” 4K screens, USB-A/C power, and Bluetooth audio so you can use your own headphones.

Skywards loyalty members score fast, free Wi-Fi—chat and messaging for all, with full browsing unlocked for Gold and Platinum members. But heads up: Qantas Frequent Flyers don’t get in on the Wi-Fi action, even in business class.

Why It Matters

This move is clearly a shot across the bow at Qatar Airways, which also runs non-stop flights from Adelaide to Doha. By being the first city in Emirates’ global network to get the ultra-long-range A350, Adelaide gets serious bragging rights—and travellers get a better ride.

The A350-900ULR has a range of over 14,000km and can cruise for more than 15 hours non-stop. Emirates calls it a ‘long-range’ aircraft, although it’s mostly identical to their other A350s—just with a few layout tweaks and extra fuel capacity.

Bottom line? If you’re flying to Europe, the UK or anywhere in the Middle East from Adelaide, things are looking a whole lot better from December.

Want more tips on flying smarter and cheaper? Don’t miss F#ck Economy—Fly Business Instead, your insider guide to getting into the pointy end for less.