Dubai

Emirates said on Thursday it is adding passenger and cargo capacity in San Francisco and Houston on December 1 and 3 respectively when it switches from operating the routes with a Boeing 777-300ER to its double-decker Airbus A380.

The A380 will offer an additional 135 seats to San Francisco and 137 to Houston, representing a 38 per cent increase in overall passenger capacity, and 80 per cent more seats across the premium cabins, the airline said in a statement. San Francisco and Houston will be Emirates’ fourth and fifth US gateways serviced by an A380, joining New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas/Fort Worth which is due to commence on October 1.