Emirates to launch A380 with bi-coastal inauguration July 10, 2008 DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Emirates Airline has announced plans to showcase the new, double-decker Airbus A380 during exclusive familiarization flights in San Francisco and Los Angeles. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Emirates Airline has announced plans to showcase the new, double-decker Airbus A380 during exclusive familiarization flights in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The familiarization flights will immediately follow the inaugural flight of the aircraft from Dubai to New York JFK on August 1, 2008. Each familiarization flight will last approximately two hours. Invited guests from San Francisco and L.A. – both slotted to receive their own daily non-stop service featuring the Boeing 777-200LR from Dubai this fall, will have the opportunity to view the A380 before it begins three-times weekly service from Dubai to New York. Emirates’ Dubai to New York service marks the first time any carrier will operate the A380 commercially in the United States.