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Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points...
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After some time apart, New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport will once again be reunited with Emirates’ Airbus A380s.
From March 1, 2022, the daily service from Dubai (DXB) via Milan (MXP) will be operated by the A380, rather than the Boeing 777 that currently operates the route.
The fifth-freedom route between Milan (MXP) and New York (JFK) was temporarily withdrawn due to the pandemic but was reinstated on June 1, 2021, with the Boeing 777.
After the Airbus A380 — the favorite of many an AvGeek and Emirates frequent flyer — made a brief appearance on the route in December 2021, the aircraft will permanently be scheduled to operate between Dubai (DXB) and New York (JFK) via Milan (MXP).
Let’s take a look at why this is such exciting news, and whether or not you’ll be able to book it for yourself.
The Emirates A380 Is One of a Kind
The Emirates A380 is one of the most iconic aircraft in the world, not only because the UAE-based airline’s fleet comprises the most A380s of any airline, but because the unique experiences that passengers have onboard are special, to say the least.
Emirates A380 First Class
Emirates first class, with its super-private, fully-enclosed suites, is considered by many to be one of the best premium products that you can fly.
Better still, the lucky 14 passengers flying in the aircraft’s most exclusive cabin will get to take a shower in one of the plush onboard shower rooms.
If that’s not cool enough, there’s even an onboard bar where you can take a seat and enjoy a glass of bubbles or cocktails at your request.
As well as being fully lie-flat, its 76 super-spacious, 18.5-inch wide seats boast top-class amenities like a 23-inch, state-of-the-art IFE screen, Bvlgari amenity kit, and an at-seat minibar. What’s not to love?
Flying first class on Emirates A380 must be just for the super-rich and famous, right? Wrong.
One-way first class awards from New York (JFK) to Milan (MXP) start at just 85,000 Emirates Skywards miles. Using Upgraded Points’ miles valuation of 1.1 cents per Skywards mile, we estimate the cash value of this ticket in miles at $935.
Finding award seats for this coveted sky-high experience can be tough. However, if you’re flexible with your dates, you should be able to find availability, even as soon as this coming March 2022.
Still think that’s not so cheap? The average cash fare for the same ticket would cost you around $6,472 — that’s a saving of $5,537!
If you want to make your miles go a little further, a round-trip from New York (JFK) to Milan (MXP) in business class on Emirates A380 will cost you just 90,000 Skywards miles.
That’s an incredible value considering a nonstop one-way in business class from the East Coast to Italy can be considerably more on other airlines.
Final Thoughts
Travel is back, and so is Emirates’ A380.
After almost 2 years of pandemic-induced reduced travel, now could be a great time to treat yourself to a “pinch me” experience in the sky and combine it with a trip around Italy.