Emirates is adding passenger and cargo capacity in San Francisco and Houston on December 1st and 3rd respectively when it switches from operating the routes with a Boeing 777-300ER to its iconic double-decker Airbus A380.

The A380 will offer an additional 135 seats to San Francisco and 137 to Houston, representing a 38 per cent increase in overall passenger capacity, and 80 per cent more seats across the premium cabins.

In addition to offering a choice of 14 First Class Private Suites and 76 lie-flat Business Class seats, the aircraft offers 399 spacious Economy Class seats to San Francisco and 401 to Houston.

“Emirates continues to see strong customer demand from our US gateways.

“Since 2007, we have carried over 2.3 million passengers on the San Francisco and Houston routes, and our flagship A380 will allow us to connect even more people and facilitate trade between these important cities and the Middle East, India, Africa and beyond,” said Hubert Frach, Emirates’ divisional senior vice president, commercial operations West.

“Everywhere we fly our A380, we receive a tremendously positive customer response, thanks to the unique, award-winning product and service which Emirates offers passenger in all cabins.

“We look forward to bringing this experience to our customers in San Francisco and Houston.”

San Francisco and Houston will be Emirates’ fourth and fifth US gateways serviced by an A380, joining New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas/Fort Worth which is due to commence on October 1st.

This latest announcement means that by December, Emirates will be serving both its Texan destinations with an A380 service.

The entire upper deck of an Emirates A380 is dedicated to its premium First Class and Business Class cabins, creating a relaxed and exclusive space.