Emirates has resumed daily Airbus A380 flights to Bangkok, making it the first carrier to operate the superjumbo jet to Thailand since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic. The airline will operate daily flights from Dubai to Bangkok before continuing onwards to Hong Kong.

The A380 returns to Bangkok

After more than a year of suspending A380 flights to Bangkok, Emirates will now resume daily flights to Thailand's capital. Flight EK384 will leave Dubai at 02:50 and land in Bangkok at 12:15. After a two-hour stopover, the flight will continue to Hong Kong at 14:15, arriving at 18:20. Each flight will offer 14 first-class suites, 76 lie-flat business seats and 429 seats in economy.

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Emirates flight EK384 will travel to Bangkok first before continuing to Hong Kong. Flight data: RadarBox.com

The return journey (flight EK385) will depart from Hong Kong at 21:30, first touching down in Bangkok at 23:45. The flight will then take off two hours later at 01:45, arriving in Dubai at 05:15. All flights to Bangkok will land at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), located around 25km from the capital.

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Emirates' PCR test partners in Bangkok

Passengers flying with Emirates can get a discount on PCR tests in Bangkok, as the airline has partnered with several leading hospitals in the city. This includes 'Bangkok Hospital, Bangpakok9 International Hospital, Bumrungrad Hospital, Kasemrad Hospital Prachachuen, Phyathai1 Hospital, Phyathai2 Hospital, Piyavate Hospital, Princ Hospital Suvarnabhumi Hospital, Sukumvit Hospital, and VFS Thailand.'

A380 united for wildlife livery
Emirates has adorned several of its A380s with special liveries, such as the United for Wildlife against illegal wildlife trade. Photo: Vincenzo Pace - Simple Flying

Before returning to Dubai, passengers will need a negative PCR test taken no later than 96 hours before your flight. Travelers purchasing a fare with Emirates will automatically be covered with COVID insurance at no extra cost. Since July 2020, the airline has provided passengers with free COVID insurance, a world-first that many other airlines have since adopted.

Demand for the A380 picks up

Emirates is sticking by its A380s, with the double-decker jet still firmly in the carrier's plans. In November, the airline claimed it expects to fly over 100 A380s by early 2022 and is already reintroducing the plane to its routes.

Earlier this week, Emirates resumed daily flights with the A380 on its Dubai-Amman route. While the A380 was active on this route before this week, it was previously cycled with Boeing 777s and not flown daily. In the same week, Emirates also operated the first-ever A380 flight to arrive at Jeddah's (King Abdulaziz International Airport) brand-new airport terminal.

Emirates A380
The airline used to fly six A380s a day into Heathrow. Photo: Getty Images

Passengers always love flying on the A380, even if it isn't always economical to fly for airlines. According to Travel News Asia,

"The Emirates A380 experience remains highly sought after by travelers for its spacious and comfortable cabins, and the airline is gradually expanding the deployment of this popular aircraft in line with demand and operational approvals."

What makes the A380 such a favorite with passengers? Let us know what you think in the comments.