Emirates Flying Milan-New York From October 1

Emirates will launch a direct service between Milan and New York from October 1.

Operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, the flight will be an extension to one of Emirates’ existing three daily, Dubai-Milan flights. ENAC (Italian Civil Aviation Authority) has authorised the services on an extra-bilateral basis.

Emirates President Tim Clark said operating a trans-Atlantic route has been on its agenda for some time.

“The route is currently underserved, particularly with a strong premium product offering – this is where we see a clear opening,” he said. “We intend to capitalise on this opportunity, stimulating further demand and encouraging additional traffic flow in both directions.”

The route is currently served by Alitalia, Delta and American Airlines.

The additional flight provides Emirates with even more capacity to New York, a city it has served for nine years and where it recently introduced double daily A380 services from Dubai.

During that time competition has increased, not least in the Gulf, where Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways both fly to ‘the big apple’.

With this new ‘fifth freedom’ service, Emirates will also be targeting Swiss travellers, given Malpensa Airport’s proximity to the Swiss border and Lugano airport cannot handle long-haul flights.