Emirates has announced it will resume its popular Dubai-Tokyo Haneda route from April. The Middle Eastern carrier has steadily built back its Japanese network following the country's international reopening in October.

Emirates brings back DXB-HND

Following the suspension of flights during the pandemic, the airline will operate a daily service between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) starting April 2nd. Emirates first launched this route in 2013, which soon grew into one of the carrier's most important Asian destinations.

Emirates said,

"The resumption underscores Emirates’ continued support to Japan’s post-pandemic travel and tourism revival, serving the surging demand for international travel and increasing inbound traffic from key markets across its global network. Since the route’s launch in 2013, and until the pandemic hit, Haneda has always been one of the key points on Emirates’ network for trade and tourism."

Emirates Boeing 777-300ER
Photo: Emirates

Check out flights here

While Emirates already flies to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT), many travelers are attracted to Haneda's closer proximity to central Tokyo and the far greater number of domestic connections available. As Simple Flying reported, Emirates' Airbus A380s returned to Tokyo Narita in November after almost three years away, while its Boeing 777-300ERs serve its other Japanese destination, Osaka.

Operated by the Boeing 777-300ER

Flights will be operated with Emirates' newest fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs, fitted with the airline's much-celebrated 'Game Changer' first class suites. Featuring just six seats in a 1-1-1 configuration, the cabin - which featured on Simple Flying's five best airline first class seats in 2022 - offers up to 40 square feet of personal, fully-enclosed space, a "NASA-inspired" zero-gravity seat and much, much more.

Emirates Game Changer cabin
Photo: Emirates

Along with Tokyo Haneda, passengers can experience the Game Changer cabin on Emirates services to Brussels, Geneva, Nice, London Stansted, Frankfurt, and Zurich. The cabin is only available on nine of Emirates' newest Boeing 777-300ERs, so don't miss out on your chance to experience one of the best first class products in the world. The aircraft also offers 42 seats in business class and 306 in economy, carrying a total of 354 passengers.

Discover more aviation news with Simple Flying.

Emirates in Japan

With the country now fully opened to international travelers since October, Emirates will have fully rebuilt its pre-COVID Japanese network once flights to Haneda begin in April. The Dubai-based carrier returned to Tokyo Narita and Osaka last year and currently operates a daily service to both destinations - in fact, Emirates recently celebrated 20 years of serving Japan following the launch of its first flight to Osaka in 2002, before flying to Tokyo Narita from 2010 and Tokyo Haneda from 2013.

Emirates 20 years to Japan
Photo: Emirates

From April, the carrier will be responsible for over 40% of direct flights between Japan and the Middle East. The airline has also been busy expanding its Asian network, including upping Taiwan flights to a daily frequency.

Are you happy to hear Emirates will be returning to Tokyo Haneda Airport? Have you had the chance to fly in one of the airline's 'Game Changer' first class suites? Let us know your stories in the comments.

  • Emirates, Airbus A380, Penultimate
    Emirates
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    EK/UAE
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Dubai International Airport
    Year Founded:
    1985
    CEO:
    Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
    Country:
    United Arab Emirates