Dubai-based carrier Emirates is set to upgrade its Lyon route operating aircraft to a Boeing 777-200LR from February next year.

The upgraded aircraft with a total of 266 seats in each direction will continue to operate five times a week and will offer customers eight private suites in First Class, 42 in business class, and 216 in economy class.

Since its launch in December last year Emirates has carried over 56,000 passengers between Dubai and Lyon, boosting international tourism in Lyon from destinations in the Middle and Far East as well as Australia.

“The upgrade of our Lyon service to a Boeing 777 is a clear marker of the route’s success since its launch late last year, highlighting the strong growth potential of this destination,” said Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ executive vice president and chief commercial officer, commercial operations worldwide.

“Offering the highest standards of passenger comfort, our customers travelling to and from Lyon will now be able to enjoy the added in-flight features afforded by this aircraft, including lie-flat seats in business class and extended inflight entertainment options in all classes.”

“Prior to Emirates’ service, Lyon and its catchment area were significantly underserviced by international carriers. With this new direct service customers can now conveniently connect to 10 points in India as well as a raft of destinations in the Far East, Indian Ocean and Australia,” added Antinori.

In addition to increased seating comfort, the aircraft also features ice, Emirates' inflight entertainment system which offers up to 1,500 channels of inflight entertainment including the latest French films.

Emirates currently operates to three destinations in France including 20 weekly flights to Paris and a daily service to Nice. - TradeArabia News Service