CHICAGO: Amidst cheers and large gathering of VIPs, media persons and affiliated travel agents, Emirates non-stop flight from Dubai landed at Chicago’s O’Hare International airport on Tuesday, August 5 afternoon. With this, Chicago becomes Emirates 9th gateway city in the United States.
Flight EK 235 that left Dubai at 9.45am arrived at Chicago 3.25pm local time flying non-stop for 14 hours and 40 minutes and bringing in passengers from over 20 countries across the globe. Onboard the EK inaugural flight was a joint VIP delegation from US and Dubai.
Emirates Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Adel Al Redha flew into Chicago with the first operation. The maiden flight was accorded a ceremonial reception by City of Chicago on behalf of Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his business team. Chicago fire fighters at O’Hare airport gave a shower welcome to EK first landing. As the aircraft steered close to gangway and stopped, the Emirates captain opened the cockpit window and waved a UAE flag signaling the bond of business relations between UAE and US.
Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie Andolino welcomed Emirates’ operation to Chicago and remarked world’s two busiest airports are now connected and enhance business opportunities.
Adel al Redha said, “The launch of Emirates from Chicago extends our passenger network to America’s third largest city.” Travelers from Midwest will fly on award winning service of Emirates to Dubai and onward 140 world destinations.
Emirates offers convenient connections to destinations in Middle East, Africa, India and Pakistan. Travelers can avail Dubai stopover en route to any destination on Emirates net work.
Emirates is operating Boeing 777-200LR series aircraft with a seating configuration of 3-4-3 in economy for 216 passengers, 42 Business class seats and 8 Private First Class suites.
Media persons and VIPs were led into aircraft for a personal experience of Emirates’ award winning facilities on board. The awesome First Class suites reflected unique luxury on board for the corporate travelers. Meant for privacy and personalized service, the Private Suites are fully equipped with a sliding door, a personal mini-bar and their own vanity table, mirror and wardrobe.
Earlier, Emirates Chicago office local team members Andrea Smagacz Sales Manager and Ali Kazmi Senior Sales Officer welcomed the guests at Emirates newly inaugurated check in counter at O’Hare airport’s Terminal 5.
A.Q. Siddiqui
India Post News Service
