Emirates brings new Business Class to Australia

Emirates is shaking up its flights to Melbourne. On the one hand, the carrier’s existing Melbourne-Singapore service will cease from 30 March 2025. But from the same date, Melbourne will gain a third daily direct Melbourne-Dubai flight. On board will be Emirates’ latest Business Class and Premium Economy seats, along with First Class and Economy.

As for Singapore, this move was flagged previously – but the end date remained unknown. This now gives travellers certainty when purchasing flights and redeeming points. For those jetting further afield to Dubai and Europe, though, it’s good news as there’ll be no more detour via Singapore on any Emirates journey between Melbourne and Dubai.

These jets don’t come with Emirates’ latest Game Changer suites in First Class, but the existing suites are still getting a minor spruce-up. The biggest change is in Business Class. On these refurbished jets, the cabin now sits in a 1-2-1 layout. That’s far more favourable than Emirates’ previous generation Boeing 777 Business Class cabins. On many of those aircraft, the seats don’t even recline fully flat, and the cabin layout is either 2-2-2 or 2-3-2.

Melbourne will also get a boost of Premium Economy seats with the introduction of the cabin onto this third daily Melbourne-Dubai frequency.

Business Class and Premium Economy on Emirates’ refitted Boeing 777s

With Game Changer suites in First Class, Emirates’ Business Class offering also moves a step above the previous Boeing 777 experience. On these refitted jets, Business Class looks a lot more like Emirates’ Airbus A380 product. That means fully flat beds with direct aisle access – not angled flat beds in a seven-across configuration.

These Boeing 777s also sport Emirates’ new Premium Economy experience, currently available from Australia on selected Airbus A380 flights. These seats adopt a 38-inch pitch and come in a 2-4-2 layout on the Boeing 777.

First Class remains of Emirates’ older style, albeit with the Suites receiving a touch-up to keep them looking fresh. The same is true of Economy, which also finds the seats reupholstered, but with the cabin otherwise feeling familiar.

Emirates’ new Melbourne flight schedule

You’ll find Emirates’ new third-daily flight leaving Melbourne at 11:55 pm each evening. This reaches Dubai at 7 am the next calendar day, operating as EK405.

Out of Dubai, EK404 is bound for Melbourne at 9:15 pm local time in Dubai. The service touches down in Melbourne at 5:40 pm the next calendar day. Emirates is marketing these flights as having desirable connection times with key markets including London, Paris and Frankfurt.

For travellers departing Melbourne, this schedule takes effect from 31 March 2025. From Dubai, the first additional direct Melbourne service takes off on 30 March 2025, local UAE time.

Melbourne’s other two daily Dubai flights will retain Emirates’ flagship Airbus A380. These Emirates services offer much the same suite in First Class but with the addition of the inflight shower spa. The A380s also feature an inflight lounge and bar, shared between Emirates’ First Class and Business Class flyers.

Elsewhere in Australia, Emirates recently resumed service from Adelaide, flying direct to Dubai. The carrier also operates out of Sydney, Brisbane and Perth direct to Dubai, along with a fifth freedom tag between Sydney and Christchurch.

Also read: Emirates set to withdraw from Singapore-Melbourne

Imagery courtesy of Emirates.

---

Stay up to date with the latest news, reviews and guides by subscribing to Point Hacks’ email newsletter.