Emirates Airline's inaugural Los Angeles flight took off on Sunday, marking the carrier's first non-stop operation between Dubai and California.
EK215, which departed from the new Emirates Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport at 8.20am, was also the first service to the America's from the recently opened terminal.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO, Emirates Airline and Group said: "We have evaluated the US for expansion opportunities and have carefully examined our existing services in Houston and New York both of which have been very successful.
Emirates is flying its Boeing 777-200LR on the route, offering 266 seats in a three-class configuration and providing up to 10 tonnes of cargo capacity. Initially, service will be offered three times per week Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays before offering daily service upon the arrival of additional aircraft.
"This route opens a new destination for business and leisure travellers in the Gulf region, a part of the world not previously served from Los Angeles. It will also enable travellers to reach every region of the world non-stop from LAX, said Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa.
The service joins Emirates' growing network of US destinations including a double daily service to New York's JFK International Airport and a daily service to Houston.
On December 15, Emirates will introduce another service to the west coast with a non-stop flight to San Francisco bringing its total number of US gateways to four. Khaleej Times
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