Long Range Passenger Jet Lands in Sydney

December 2, 2003
The Age, Australia

Long Range Passenger Jet Lands in Sydney

The world's longest-range passenger aircraft - engineered for flights of up
to 19 hours - touched down in Sydney.

The 14-hour nonstop journey from Dubai to Sydney was the world's first
commercial flight of an Airbus A340-500, capable of flying 16,000 kilometres
in one haul.

Until now Dubai-based international airline Emirates, which owns the plane,
has had to fly to Sydney via Singapore.

The airline will now begin a daily nonstop service between Sydney and Dubai.

The new aircraft features atmospheric effects to minimise jet lag by
simulating dawn and sunset, including stars on the ceiling panels at night
and birdsong in the "morning".

First class passengers are able to take advantage of enclosed suites with
beds, incorporating a vibrating massage system, a mini-bar and "room
service".

About 200 guests from the business, media and travel industries were treated
to brief demonstration flights above Sydney and Canberra.

Emirates Airlines president Tim Clark said the A340-500, which carries up to
258 passengers, meant people leaving Sydney at 10pm could be in Casablanca
or Nairobi by midday the next day. 

"The aeroplane has got enormous legs," Mr Clark said at Sydney Airport.

"It's something we've been dreaming abut for years, to be able to cut across
the continents and deliver the non-stop product."

With three A340-500s in the stable and six more on order, the company is
lobbying the federal government to allow it to make two daily return flights
to Sydney


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