Emirates Expands Footprint Into Eastern China With Launch Of Daily Dubai-Hangzhou Flights

Emirates Launches Daily Flights to Eastern China

Emirates will launch daily non-stop flights from Dubai to Hangzhou starting July 30. This new route designates Hangzhou as the airline's fifth destination in mainland China, following Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. The service will operate with a three-class Boeing 777-300ER, providing a total of 2,478 seats each week. Emirates flight EK310 is scheduled to depart Dubai at 09:40 and arrive in Hangzhou at 22:00. The return flight, EK311, will leave Hangzhou at 00:10, landing in Dubai at 04:55.

The new flights are perfectly timed to connect travellers to 38 destinations in Europe, 22 in Africa, 11 in the Middle East, as well as Brazil and Argentina. This offers smooth round-trip connections to key cities like Istanbul, Barcelona, Cairo, and Johannesburg.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, commented on the airline’s latest expansion into the Chinese mainland: “Launching a new Dubai-Hangzhou route marks a pivotal moment in our operations in the Chinese mainland and broader East Asia region. As an emerging global hub for innovation, e-commerce and advanced manufacturing, Hangzhou will open doors to new opportunities for our passenger and cargo operations, further strengthening the vital economic and technological exchanges between the Middle East and China.”

He added: “The addition of a fifth gateway in our Chinese mainland network will not only enhance connectivity for travellers but also offer businesses efficient access to and from key East Asian markets. This expansion is part of our global growth strategy and positions Emirates as the preferred airline when linking the world to the Chinese mainland’s thriving economic corridors and beyond. We extend our gratitude to the local authorities for their valuable support of this strategic new route and look forward to collaborating closely towards our shared goals of enhanced global connectivity.”

A rising tech powerhouse

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, is swiftly evolving into a global center for innovation, e-commerce, and technological progress. As the headquarters of Alibaba Group, the city significantly contributes to China’s digital economy, with cross-border e-commerce exports expected to surpass AED 70 billion (140 billion Chinese yuan) by 2026[1]. Its rich historical heritage—including the UNESCO World Heritage site West Lake, Leifeng Pagoda, the Southern Song Dynasty’s Imperial Street, and the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City—combined with a flourishing tech sector will provide unique and varied opportunities for travelers from the Emirates to visit and explore the city.

By leveraging artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing, Hangzhou draws in a multitude of tech start-ups and innovation centers globally. In 2024, the revenue from the city's key digital economy sectors surpassed AED 1 trillion (2 trillion Chinese yuan), representing 28.8% of the city's GDP and underscoring its vital role in stimulating local economic growth.

Serving passengers and cargo

The Emirates Boeing 777-300er features 8 First Class suites, 42 angled-flat Business Class seats, and 304 ergonomically designed Economy Class seats. Passengers travelling with Emirates to Hangzhou can also relish the airline’s award-winning inflight entertainment system, Ice, which provides over 6,500 channels of on-demand content in more than 40 languages, including Chinese. Additionally, they'll savour regionally inspired cuisine that includes popular Chinese dishes and desserts.

Emirates SkyCargo, with its vast network and advanced facilities, will enhance the economic and trade connections between China and the UAE, while solidifying Hangzhou’s position as a key cargo hub and a gateway for cross-border e-commerce.

Emirates SkyCargo plans to utilize the new Hangzhou route to expand its cargo presence in East Asia, addressing the growing need for dependable air freight options. This service will also cut transit times, facilitating speedier and more efficient transport of valuable and time-sensitive items such as electronics, e-commerce products, pharmaceuticals, and perishables between China and major regions like Africa, Latin America, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Starting 30 July, Emirates will run 49 weekly flights to mainland China, which include double daily routes to Beijing and Shanghai, daily flights to Guangzhou and Shenzhen, along with a new daily service to Hangzhou. The airline's expansion into mainland China highlights the strengthening UAE-China relationship and emphasizes Emirates' enduring dedication to supporting the goals of the Belt and Road Initiative. As a crucial link between China and developing markets in Africa, the Middle East, and South America through Dubai, Emirates is strategically positioned to connect tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors from these rapidly growing areas to Hangzhou, a vibrant hub of technology and innovation.

To find more details or purchase tickets, go to emirates.com. You can also secure tickets through the Emirates App, Emirates Retail stores, the Emirates contact center, or by using travel agents.