Travel broadcaster Phil Blizzard takes off with another aviation story as he looks at the first year of operation of the Dubai based luxury private jet arm of Emirates airline.

After more than a year of operation Emirates Executive has flown more than 450 hours to destinations in Europe, Africa, Far East and Middle East with it’s luxuriously appointed Airbus 319 aircraft. 

Onboard I sampled private aviation at it’s best - as experienced by the high flying executive, captains of industry, celebrities and royalty. I only wished we had taken off, for even just a circuit or two of the iconic landmarks at the aircrafts home base in Dubai, but my invitation to go onboard was for static display only. I dream on!!

The key features of the aircraft include two main areas - wide dining and executive lounge at the front of the aircraft is designed to seat up to 12 passengers, combining a work area and a rest zone with two large sofas surrounding four mechanically-activated tables and two 42” HD LCD screens. The second distinct area comprises of 10 Private Suites,  each featuring a fully lie flat seat and a 32” HD LCD screen. The suites are complemented by a generous sized Shower Spa. A signature element of the Emirates premium experience, it is equipped with a full-height shower, innovations like a floor heating system.

Since August 2013, Emirates Executive has offered charter services to most locations worldwide and beyond the existing Emirates network. The aircraft’s configuration was designed with a high level of comfort in mind and can carry up to 19 passengers. Emirates Executive introduced private suites and a large multi-functional lounge area on-board, making it a service versatile enough to provide bespoke experiences to both private customers and large groups. 

At the Middle East Business Aviation show, held at Al Maktoum International Airport, Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Planning, Aeropolitical & Industry Affairs said: “In the last year we have seen demand come the Middle East and Africa and we owe this to Emirates Executive’s large cabin offering, which easily accommodates and provides room for our passengers.” 

He continued: “We are enabling company executives, large family groups and government delegations to fly further, faster and benefit from unrivalled comfort and new technologies. There remains significant growth in the large cabin segment of the private charter industry and Emirates Executive posted strong first year results. ”

The A319 aircraft is supported by a dedicated team of highly trained and experienced inflight crew and ground staff. Emirates has introduced exclusive uniforms for Emirates Executive Cabin Crew, to match the distinctiveness of this exceptional service. 

Phil Blizzard, Dubai.