“Aviation is a key catalyst for stimulating economic activity and with Emirates now operating 49 flights per week to our four American gateways, our new services will generate a raft of benefits for trade, commerce and tourism for both the Middle East region and the USA,” said Nigel Page, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for Americas and Africa.

“Whether it is through our recent aircraft and engine orders with American manufacturers Boeing and GE; or by providing ever-increasing choice and access for travellers, Emirates is committed to supporting economic growth and meeting the needs of our customers. As this latest expansion demonstrates, the USA is a very important and growing market in our global route network and we will continue to look for new opportunities to enhance our service provision,” Mr Page continued.

The United States and the United Arab Emirates enjoy a robust and fast-growing trade and investment relationship. Since Emirates launched its first flight to New York in 2004, the value of trade between the U.S. and the U.A.E. has almost tripled, reaching US$12.7 billion in the 12 months to June 2010.

Over 750 US firms have set up offices in Dubai and 400,000 American business and leisure travelers visited the Emirate last year, a 23 per cent increase from 2007-08.

In July this year, Emirates ordered 30 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and placed a US$2.0 billion order for US-manufactured GE90-115B Engines to power the ultra long-range aircraft, which will add to the airline’s fleet of 65 777-300ER and 777-200LR that are currently in service.

The Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft which operate Emirates’ U.S. routes offer the highest standards of passenger comfort, with luxurious private suites in First Class, lie-flat beds in Business Class and generously-sized Economy Class seats.

Passengers in all classes can lose themselves in the much-enjoyed ICE entertainment system. There are more than 1,000 channels of on-demand entertainment to choose from, including 200 movies from around the world, 100 TV channels, more than 500 audio channels, 100 video games and news, sports and business headlines.

Customers can also look forward to gourmet chef prepared food in all cabins and seamless transfers to a global network of over 100 destinations through Emirates’ state-of-the-art Terminal 3 hub in Dubai.

Mr Page added: “Thanks to Emirates’ new services, customers travelling to or from the United States can now look forward to more choice, convenience and comfort than ever before.”

Emirates currently flies nonstop to four American cities: New York, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Emirates was the first carrier to launch non-stop operations from Dubai to both Houston, which started on 3rd December 2007; and Los Angeles, which began services on 26th October 2008.

From today, Flight EK201 will be operated by an A380 aircraft departing Dubai (DXB) at 08:30, arriving New York (JFK) at 13:50 the same day. EK202 departs JFK at 23:00, arriving Dubai at 20:30 the following day.

Flight EK217, Emirates’ second daily service to Los Angeles, departs Dubai at 03:15, arriving at Los Angeles International at 07:45 the same day. The return flight leaves Los Angeles at 10:00, arriving in Dubai at 13:50 the following day.