Emirates Launches Third Daily Dubai–Phuket Flight to Meet Rising Demand

Emirates has expanded its Thailand network by introducing a third daily service between Dubai and Phuket, increasing its schedule on the route to 21 flights per week.

According to the airline's announcement on July 6, the additional service operates under flight numbers EK390 and EK391. The Dubai–Phuket route is now served by a combination of Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft.

The new EK390 flight departs Dubai at 10:40 p.m. and arrives in Phuket at 8:10 a.m. the following day. The return service, EK391, leaves Phuket at 10:00 a.m. and lands in Dubai at 1:05 p.m. All times are local.

Emirates said the decision to add a third daily frequency reflects growing demand from travelers in Europe, the Middle East, and the Gulf region. The expanded schedule also provides passengers with more convenient onward connections through Dubai.

The airline noted that the new morning arrival in Phuket is particularly convenient for travelers connecting from cities including Manchester, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Kuwait City, and Bahrain. On the return journey, passengers departing Phuket gain improved access to destinations such as Madrid, Munich, Birmingham, Brussels, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Edinburgh, Zurich, and Amman.

The introduction of the Airbus A350 on the route also brings Emirates' Premium Economy cabin to Phuket for the first time. The aircraft features 32 lie-flat Business Class seats, 28 Premium Economy seats, and 238 Economy Class seats.

Among the A350's onboard features are wireless charging in Business Class, electronically dimmable windows in premium cabins, digital menus integrated into the ice entertainment system, 4K and 4K HDR displays, and upgraded in-flight Wi-Fi powered by the ViaSat Global Xpress satellite network. Premium Economy passengers receive a baggage allowance of 35 kilograms of checked luggage plus 10 kilograms of cabin baggage.

The additional service is also expected to strengthen cargo operations through Phuket. Emirates said the daytime departure from the island will improve freight connections to Europe, the United Kingdom, Africa, the Gulf states, and North America, particularly for perishable goods, electronic components, and general cargo.

The airline added that the Phuket expansion is part of its broader investment in Thailand. Recent initiatives include the opening of a renovated Emirates lounge in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport's SAT-1 terminal, the launch of an Emirates World Store at Gaysorn Centre in Bangkok, and the introduction of flights from Bangkok to Siem Reap and Da Nang.

According to Thailand's Immigration Bureau, around 7,500 travelers from the UAE arrived through Phuket International Airport during 2026, a figure broadly consistent with previous years. Traditionally, arrivals from the UAE peak between June and August, although this year's seasonal demand may be affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.