Emirates, voted the World’s Best Airline in the 2016 Skytrax World Airline Awards, announced today that it will operate the first ever commercial Airbus A380 flight to Morocco and North Africa, when it takes the iconic double decker aircraft to Casablanca on 26 March 2017.

The airline’s flagship aircraft, which continues to excite travellers and aviation enthusiasts alike, will replace the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft currently used on the Dubai-Casablanca route, offering increased seat capacity across all three cabin classes and an enhanced premium product experience.

The switch to the A380 offers a total of 1834 additional seats per week, meeting a growing demand from travellers on the route, with 14 private suites in First Class, 76 lie flat seats in Business Class and 401 seats in spacious Economy Class cabin.

Travellers from Morocco flying from Casablanca to Emirates’ world class hub, Dubai, can seamlessly connect to onward destinations in Emirates network, particularly in the GCC, east Asia and Australia, with many cities, such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Doha, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, also being served by the A380. The A380 service will also provide travellers from across the Emirates’ network, mainly the GCC and Australia as well as India, US, and the Far East, with ideal connectivity via Emirates’ ultra-modern hub in Dubai.

Casablanca has become one Emirates’ most popular destinations, which has seen steady growth since being launched in March 2002. In 2015 alone, Emirates carried nearly 260,000 passengers and more than 10,000 tonnes of cargo, stimulating business and leisure travel between Casablanca and Dubai.

Passengers travelling on the three-class, 491-seat aircraft, will enjoy spacious cabins and experience a peaceful journey in the world’s quietest long-range jet. They can use the onboard Wi-Fi; indulge in food prepared by international chefs, and be entertained by Emirates’ award-winning ice system which offers over 2,500 channels of inflight entertainment across all cabins.

Emirates has redefined the core experience of premium travel. First Class and Business Class passengers will have access to the A380’s onboard Lounge, with space to mingle whilst enjoying canapés and the beverages prepared by the onboard bartender. First Class passengers can enjoy the aircraft’s First Class Private Suites and experience the aircraft’s signature onboard Shower Spa.

Emirates is the largest operator of the Airbus A380, and has carried over 65 million passengers on its flagship aircraft since 2008. Emirates is also the largest A380 operator with 54 more of the world’s largest passenger aircraft pending delivery.

So far, Emirates has introduced A380 services to over 45 destinations across its network. Its current fleet of 88 A380s has visited over 64 airports, flew nearly 986 million kilometres, and made 74,263 return flights to date.

From 26 March, EK751 will become an A380 flight, leaving Dubai every day at 07:25hrs and arriving in Casablanca at 12:55hrs. The return flight, EK752, departs Casablanca at 14:55hrs and lands in Dubai at 01:25hrs the next morning.