Emirates will strengthen its presence across Asia with the launch of three new routes from Dubai, which will begin in June and July. The airline will commence operations to Da Nang (Vietnam), Siem Reap (Cambodia) and Shenzhen (China) as of June 2nd, June 3rd and July 1st, respectively, to be served by retrofitted Boeing 777-300(ER) four-class aircraft, offering passengers its latest Business Class seats.
In accordance with the press release, Emirates Airline will operate non-stop between Dubai and Shenzhen, while services to Da Nang and Siem Reap will have a stopover in Bangkok in both directions. Seven weekly flights will be performed on the DXB – Shenzhen route, four services a week to Da Nang and three weekly operations to Siem Reap.
Shenzhen will become Emirates’ fourth destination in China after Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Meanwhile, the airline will reach three routes to Vietnam and two connections in Cambodia, surpassing 60 flights per week from Dubai in total in this market.
Dubai – Da Nang · June 2nd
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
Dubai – Siem Reap · June 3rd
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Dubai – Shenzhen · July 1st
Daily
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer said: “We remain committed to offering business and leisure travellers unparalleled access to Southeast Asia and the broader East Asia region by delivering an extensive flight schedule. Our expansion into Shenzhen opens new doors for business and economic exchange between this technological powerhouse and global markets. As we prepare to launch operations, we extend our gratitude to the Chinese authorities and airport partners for their ongoing support and are committed to ensuring this route’s success while fostering cultural bonds and unlocking future economic potential.”
Emirates currently offers from Dubai, according to our database, seven, 21 and 34 weekly services to Cambodia, Vietnam and China, respectively. In addition, the airline provides 49 flights a week to Thailand, including Bangkok and Phuket.
- Bangkok (BKK): 35 weekly · (28 A388 and 7 77W)
- Beijing (PEK): 13 weekly · Boeing 777-300(ER)
- Da Nang (DAD) via BKK: 4 weekly · June 2nd · Boeing 777-300(ER)
- Guangzhou (CAN): 7 weekly · Boeing 777-300(ER)
- Hanoi (HAN): 7 weekly · Boeing 777-300(ER)
- Ho Chi Minh City (SGN): 14 weekly · Boeing 777-300(ER)
- Phnom Penh (PNH) via SIN: 7 weekly · Boeing 777-300(ER)
- Phuket (HKT): 14 weekly · Boeing 777-300(ER)
- Shanghai (PVG): 14 weekly · Boeing 777-300(ER)
- Shenzhen (SZX): 7 weekly · July 1st · Boeing 777-300(ER)
- Siem Reap (SAI) via BKK: 3 weekly · June 3rd · Boeing 777-300(ER)
China
Emirates will be the first airline to operate between the Middle East and the Chinese Mainland’s Technology and Innovation hub, by introducing the new Dubai – Shenzhen service. These flights will also connect to other Emirates destinations through its major hub in Dubai, which includes several routes to Africa, the United States, Europe and South America.
The carrier was the first Middle East airline to commence flights to Mainland China, which started in 2002. This marked the beginning of Emirates’ important partnership with China, which, in addition to passenger operations, also has several cargo services using its Boeing 777(F)s.
Moreover, Shenzhen will be its first destination in China to be operated with its retrofitted Boeing 777-300(ER). The aircraft are configured for 326 passengers in four seating classes, featuring 8 private suites in First class, 38 seats in Business Class, 24 seats in Premium Economy and 256 seats in Economy Class.
Vietnam
Da Nang will become Emirates’ third destination in Vietnam, following Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, currently conducted from Dubai on 428-seat Boeing 777-300(ER) planes. Emirates is the only company to operate between Dubai and Vietnam, strengthening its leadership in the market.
From November 2025, as we announced in another article, Etihad will begin operations to Hanoi from Abu Dhabi, which it will provide by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for 290 passengers. Etihad will be the first and only direct competitor between the UAE and Vietnam.
Cambodia
The same will happen in the UAE – Cambodia market, with Etihad’s new Abu Dhabi – Phnom Penh route starting in early November by 787s.
As for Emirates, Phnom Penh is part of its regular schedule, offering a daily frequency on the Dubai – Singapore – Phnom Penh route and vice versa on Boeing 777-300(ER) airplanes. The airline inaugurated this service on May 1st, 2024 providing seven weekly flights.
Dubai will be Siem Reap’s first connection in the Middle East, as currently its entire route network is within Southeast Asia. According to our database, Bangkok BKK, Bangkok DMK, Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming, Luang, Pakse, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Sihanoukville and Singapore are the current operations performed to/from SAI.
“Vietnam holds a strategic place in our Southeast Asia network. Our decision to expand operations to Da Nang as our third point in Vietnam comes at an opportune moment, following the landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and Vietnam. We are confident that our new service will elevate the existing bilateral trade and commercial collaboration between our nations. We extend our gratitude to our local partners and Da Nang International Airport for their support.
Emirates is also making it easier for travellers to connect to Siem Reap, home to Angkor Wat, one of Cambodia’s most popular destinations with its incredible ancient wonders and natural beauty. With the addition of these new gateways, we’re strengthening our links, giving customers more choice, offering an unparalleled onboard experience and ensuring seamless and convenient connections to and from China’s largest cities, Vietnam’s emerging economic and leisure hubs, and Cambodia’s touristic treasures”, Adnan Kazim added.
Refurbished Boeing 777s
Regarding other Emirates news, the company has confirmed that all of its flights between Dubai and Riyadh will be operated with retrofitted Boeing 777s, the same aircraft it will use on services to Da Nang, Siem Reap and Shenzhen.
The first flight to Riyadh with a retrofitted Boeing 777-300(ER) took place in October 2024, on flight EK 819/820, making it Emirates Airline’s first regional destination served by these aircraft. From March 30th, flight EK 815/816 will begin to be carried by the refurbished Boeing 777s, while on flight EK 817/818 from May 7th.
As per its press release, effective May 7th, flight EK 817/818 will be operated six times per week with the retrofitted Boeing 777-300(ER), scheduled to operate daily starting August 11th onwards.
In the United Arab Emirates – Saudi Arabia market, the airline operates +70 weekly flights with a mix of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, with Dammam, Jeddah, Medina and Riyadh as destinations.
DXB – RUH
RUH – DXB
Emirates has 259 aircraft in its fleet, including 3 Airbus A350-900s, 116 Airbus A380-800s, 10 Boeing 777-200(LR), 120 Boeing 777-300(ER) and 10 Boeing 777-Fs, which average 11 years old.
Cover photo: Pawel Wedrychowicz – JetPhotos (Dubai International Airport – OMDB – United Arab Emirates)
