Russian carrier Aeroflot has revealed another destination for its expected A350 fleet. From mid-to late-March, the carrier will fly the aircraft to Dubai.

Along with many, we are excited to see Russian flag carrier Aeroflot take delivery of its first Airbus A350 aircraft. What’s interesting in this case is that rather than doing a huge dump of information, new A350 knowledge is being made available bit by bit. The latest information suggests that the new aircraft will travel to Dubai in March.

What do we know?

As spotted by Routesonline, Aeroflot will begin applying the Airbus A350 to Dubai from the 21st of March. It will be standing in for an Airbus A330. The flight will operate just six times before the IATA winter season's end. As such, the aircraft will operate on the route from the 21st to the 28th of March 2020. However, the route will not be flown by the aircraft on Thursday the 26th of March.

According to the Aeroflot booking engine, on the dates mentioned above the Airbus A350 will operate the following flights to Dubai:

  • SU520 will depart from Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) at 08:30. After a 5-hour 35-minute flight, the aircraft is due to land at Dubai International Airport (DXB) at 15:05.
  • SU521 will depart from Dubai at 16:40. Following a 5-hour and 35-minute flight, it is due to touch back down in Moscow at 21:15 in the evening.
Aeroflot, Airbus A350, Dubai
The route from Moscow to Dubai clocks in at just over 2,300 miles as the crow flies. Image: GCMap

As such, an entire rotation for the aircraft will clock in at just under 13 hours. It will compliment another two flights to Dubai International Airport operated by Boeing 737s and a flight to Dubai World Central operated by an Airbus A330.

Why fly to Dubai?

As of now, the first Airbus A350 route announced by Aeroflot would've seen the aircraft flying from Moscow to New York from the 29th of March. However, now Aeroflot has slotted into its schedule this week of flights to Dubai.

The Dubai route is likely going to be used for crew training and familiarisation on the Airbus A350. It allows the carrier to get accustomed to the aircraft before diving headfirst into a long haul route.

British Airways, Airbus A350, G-XWBE
Like British Airways, Aeroflot could be conducting crew training and familiarisation prior to entry to service. Photo: British Airways

British Airways employed a similar tactic when it first received its first Airbus A350-1000, G-XWBA. The British Flag carrier flew the aircraft to Madrid for the first month of operation in order to get comfortable with the aircraft on a shorter route.

The Aeroflot Airbus A350 won't bump into a British Airways A350 in Dubai given the flight's timing. However, from June 2020, Aeroflot will begin to fly its Airbus A350 fleet to London Heathrow, where the aircraft could metaphorically bump into each other.

Are you excited to see the Aeroflot Airbus A350 in Dubai? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!