From 2026, Emirates is to switch its seven-day Baghdad service to an all-Airbus A350 fleet, leaving the Boeing 777 surplus to requirements.
The Airbus A350 was first deployed to Baghdad in August 2025 on a three-times-weekly service, with Emirates’ 777s operating to the Iraq capital four times a week.
On November 27, 2025, the Dubai flag carrier announced that, from January 1, 2026, the A350 would be used daily, as part of its commitment to delivering on its ‘Fly Better’ promise.
The first Emirates A350-900 entered service this year and is gradually being rolled out to new destinations as new planes arrive.
According to ch-aviation, Emirates is now operating 13 A350s, with 52 still to be delivered over the coming years.
The new Emirates A350 features three classes for 312 passengers, spread between 32 next-generation business class lie-flat seats, 21 premium economy seats and 259 economy class seats.
The first 15 will be configured in the exact same way, but the final 50 will include only 298 seats to make space for crew rest facilities, enabling operations on ultra-long-haul routes.
“The exclusive deployment of the A350 to Baghdad underscores Emirates’ long-standing commitment to Iraq and the wider region,” said a spokesperson for Emirates.
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