Dubai: Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, made history on Monday when EK261 took off from Dubai International Airport en-route to Sao Paulo, Brazil, marking the first non-stop flight between the Middle East and South America.
Emirates is using its technically advanced Boeing 777-200LR on the route, with Brazil becoming the 60th country and Sao Paulo the 94th destination on the airline's rapidly expanding network.
Passengers from over 12 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, India, Malaysia and Australia, joined the first flight to Sao Paulo after connecting through Dubai.
Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group said, "Today marks an important milestone for Emirates; not only is it our first gateway in South America, but it means we now fly non-stop to six continents from Dubai.
"Our services provide a perfect match for business people and leisure travellers from the whole Middle East region, Africa, Far East and Australia seeking a convenient route to South America.
"The service will also offer Dubai as a new tourist and business destination. We look forward to developing closer ties with Brazil and we thank the Brazilian government and airport officials for making this route possible."
On board the first flight was Flavio Moreira Sapha, the Brazilian ambassador to the UAE.
Captain Stefan Prugner, Emirates Deputy Chief Pilot, Boeing, was at the controls, assisted by Captain Murilo Mariozi, First Officer Ali Al Jallaf and First Officer Hassan Asad Hassan Abdullah Abdul Wahid.
Features: Flights to have eight private suites
Passengers travelling on the Dubai-Sao Paulo route will enjoy unrivalled in-flight service, including eight luxurious private suites in first class, 42 of its latest lie-flat seats in business, and generous space for 216 passengers in economy.
Departing Dubai at 10am, the flight time is 15 hours and 30 minutes with arrival at Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport at 6:30pm the same day. The return flight, EK262, departs Sao Paulo at 1:25am and arrives in Dubai at 11:05pm the same day.
