Emirates Airlines is enhancing its service between Dubai and Durban, providing additional connections for passengers looking to reunite with loved ones or take advantage of the year-end holiday season. This temporary capacity increase is set to accommodate an influx of travelers during a busy time of year.

Extra Flights for the Holiday Season

From December 17 to 23, 2026, and again from January 2 to 8, 2027, Emirates will introduce a second daily flight on its Dubai-Durban route. This service will be operated using a three-class Boeing 777, thereby significantly boosting the frequency of flights during this festive period.

The newly scheduled flights will include:
– EK2535: Departure from Dubai (DXB) at 04:00, arrival in Durban (DUR) at 10:30.
– EK2536: Departure from Durban (DUR) at 12:15, arrival back in Dubai (DXB) at 22:30.

Passengers will still have the options offered by the regular EK775 and EK776 services, which maintain their current schedules.

Enhanced Travel Choices

These additional flights provide more opportunities for individuals wanting to travel home for family celebrations, enjoy South Africa’s warm summer weather, or explore new destinations during the year-end break. This increase in flight availability comes at a crucial time, as many travelers seek to escape the colder winters of the Northern Hemisphere.

For residents in Durban and the surrounding region, the extra flights mean expanded options for holiday travel. Emirates’ extensive global network, with over 140 destinations accessible via its Dubai hub, allows customers to explore various intriguing locales ahead of the New Year. Popular holiday destinations for travelers from Durban typically include Dubai, Thailand, Indonesia, India, France, and the UK.

Flexible Booking Options

With the holiday season often marked by last-minute travel decisions, these additional flights provide crucial flexibility. Many travelers may benefit from the increased capacity during such a high-demand period, where securing a ticket can sometimes be a challenge.

Recognizing the fluctuating nature of travel plans, Emirates Airlines has rolled out several flexible booking options. Unlimited free date changes are available for all tickets booked to Dubai across all classes, while travelers headed to other destinations can make one free date change. Additionally, the “Hold My Fare” feature allows customers to lock in ticket prices for 24 hours at no extra cost, enabling them to finalize their travel arrangements without the immediate pressure of fluctuating fares.

Tickets for these flights can be purchased through the Emirates website, app, or via travel agents, making it easier than ever for customers to find the best options for their holiday travels.

With these enhancements to its service, Emirates continues to demonstrate its commitment to customer convenience and satisfaction, especially during one of the year’s busiest travel seasons.