EMIRATES
Founded: 1985.
Routes: from Dubai to 44 cities in 37 countries in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, CIS, Indian Ocean and Australia. Includes two flights a day from Heathrow, and daily services from Gatwick and Manchester.
Codeshare partners: British Airways (Manchester-Dubai, Heathrow-Abu Dhabi); Qantas (Dubai-Melbourne); SAA (Dubai-Johannesburg); Thai Airways (Dubai-Bangkok).
Fleet: 23 aircraft, comprising nine Airbus A310-300s, six Airbus A300-600Rs, and nine Boeing 777-200s, with 25 Boeings and Airbuses due to be delivered over the next five years.
Lounges: for first and business-class passengers in all destinations.
Transfers: free chauffeured limousine pick-up for first and business-class passengers within 50-mile radius of Gatwick and Heathrow and 90-mile radius of Manchester, or travel on Heathrow or Gatwick Express. Free transfers also available in Dubai and the UAE, and long-haul destinations such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Johannesburg and Melbourne.
Extras: free connecting flights for first and business-class passengers from 14 UK and Irish airports to Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester; free round-trip economy flight with every first or business-class ticket; free first or business class return flight with every three similar bookings, or companion fare at 10% of normal rate; free two-night stopover in Dubai or Singapore, or one night in each city, for ex-UK first and business passengers going to Melbourne; new stopover packages in Dubai and the Gulf, offered by Emirates partner DNATA Travel UK (tel: 0171-931 7063), from £399 for three nights, including flights.
Reservations: telephone 0870-243 2222.
Factfile