Miami airport just added flights to Latin America and a link to the Mideast. What to know
Emirates, a flagship carrier of the United Arab Emirates, will start a new flight between Miami International Airport and Bogotá by summer.
Here’s what to know about the service:
The planes
Model: The wide-body, three-class Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft will each have 354 seats across three cabins.
Seats: Leather seats that recline flat will be provided to First Class and Business Class travelers. Complimentary food and beverages and in-flight entertainment will be offered to passengers in all cabins.
Passengers
Baggage: Economy passengers will be allowed to check one piece of baggage up to 50 pounds for Special and Saver fares and two pieces for Flex and Flex Plus fares. But there won’t be a premium economy on this flight unlike Emirates flights to Houston, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
Availability and start date: Tickets began going on sale on Feb. 21 on the carrier’s website and with travel agents. Flights start on June 3.
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Destinations
Background: The new service gives South Florida travelers another way to fly to Colombia.
▪ LATAM has been growing, and in October added a flight between Miami and Medellin.
▪ American Airlines increased service over the winter to Baranquila and Cartagena. It already has three flights a day to Bogotá.
▪ Avianca and JetBlue have daily flights, too.
Florida reaction: “Airlift expansion is crucial to increasing visitation and the economic impact tourism has on the state of Florida,” Visit Florida President and CEO, Dana Young, said in a statement. Young was also thrilled with the “additional opportunities for us to welcome Colombian travelers to the Sunshine State.”
Connections: The new daily non-stop service between MIA and Bogotá is primarily meant to connect Dubai and the Colombian capital. Emirates already has a daily flight between Miami and Dubai. But because of Bogotá’s high altitude, “it is not possible to operate a non-stop flight from Dubai, deeming a stopover necessary,” Emirates said in a statement.
South America
Addition: With the new service, Bogotá becomes Emirate’s fourth entry point into South America after São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. Those cities though all have direct flights. “There is a huge demand for travel to and from Bogotá,” said Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline. The launch of the daily flight “underscores our deep commitment to South America and is poised to foster increased business and leisure travel opportunities for customers,” he said.
Cargo
Products: The new planes will also offer room for cargo on each flight. That will help promote Colombian exports including fresh flowers, fruit and vegetables in new global markets such as the Middle East and beyond.
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