Emirates is set to introduce a daily non-stop service between Dubai and Hangzhou beginning July 30. This latest expansion into Hangzhou marks the airline’s fifth gateway to the Chinese mainland, following its existing routes to China’s Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, according to a statement.
The new service will operate with a three-class Boeing 777-300ER, offering a total capacity of 2,478 weekly seats. Emirates flight EK310 will 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 newly launched flights are strategically timed to connect travelers to 38 destinations in Europe, 22 in Africa, and 11 in the Middle East, as well as Brazil and Argentina. This offers convenient two-way connections to key cities such as Istanbul, Barcelona, Cairo, and Johannesburg.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, remarked 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.”
Enhancing connectivity and business opportunities
Kazim added, “The addition of a fifth gateway in our Chinese mainland network will not only enhance connectivity for travelers 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.”
Hangzhou: A rising tech powerhouse
The capital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, is rapidly establishing itself as a global hub for innovation, e-commerce, and technological advancements. Home to Alibaba Group, the city is a driving force in China’s digital economy, with cross-border e-commerce exports projected to exceed AED 70 billion (140 billion Chinese yuan) by 2026. Its blend of historical heritage—including the UNESCO-listed West Lake, Leifeng Pagoda, the Imperial Street of the Southern Song Dynasty, and the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City—alongside a thriving tech industry, will provide unique opportunities for Emirates’ travelers to explore.
By leveraging artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing, Hangzhou attracts numerous tech startups and innovation centers from around the globe. In 2024, the revenue generated by the city’s core digital economy industries exceeded AED 1 trillion (2 trillion Chinese yuan), accounting for 28.8 percent of the city’s GDP, underscoring its central role in driving local economic growth.
Read more: Emirates expands retrofitted A380, Boeing 777 services to 8 additional cities
Premium seating options
Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER will feature 8 First Class suites, 42 angle-flat Business Class seats, and 304 ergonomically designed Economy Class seats. Travelers flying with Emirates to Hangzhou will also benefit from the airline’s award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, which offers over 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment in more than 40 languages, including Chinese, as well as a selection of regionally inspired cuisine, including popular Chinese dishes and desserts.
With its extensive network and state-of-the-art facilities, Emirates SkyCargo will further enhance economic and trade ties between China and the UAE while reinforcing Hangzhou’s role as a significant cargo hub and cross-border e-commerce gateway.
Enhancing cargo footprint in East Asia
Emirates SkyCargo will utilize the new Hangzhou route to strengthen its cargo presence across East Asia, addressing the rising demand for reliable air freight solutions. This service will also reduce transit times, ensuring faster and more efficient movement of high-value and time-sensitive goods, including electronics, e-commerce products, pharmaceuticals, and perishables between the Chinese market and key regions like Africa, Latin America, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
From July 30, Emirates will operate 49 weekly flights to the Chinese mainland, including double daily services to Beijing and Shanghai, daily flights to Guangzhou and Shenzhen, along with the new daily service to Hangzhou. The airline’s ongoing expansion into the Chinese mainland reflects the deepening UAE-China bilateral ties and emphasizes Emirates’ commitment to advancing the objectives of the Belt and Road Initiative. Serving as a crucial link between China and emerging markets across Africa, the Middle East, and South America via Dubai, Emirates is well-positioned to seamlessly connect tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors from these high-growth regions to Hangzhou—a dynamic center of technology and innovation.
