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Why it's never been easier to explore Asia, the Middle East, and Australia from EDI

Last updated Jun 09, 2024

Now's the time to travel east.

You've got world leading cities, natural wonders, ancient temples, amazing beaches, winter sunshine, and some of the best food on the planet.

New and returning routes means better connectivity and even more opportunity to jet east and tick off those bucket list travel experiences - whether it's hiking along the Great Wall, exploring futuristic Tokyo, island hopping in Thailand, or snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef - now's the time to fly to the Middle East, Asia and beyond from Edinburgh Airport.

Places which once seemed out of reach are now a whole lot closer.

Direct connectivity to the likes of Beijing, Dubai, Doha, and Istanbul, and increased frequency on some routes, allows for better access to some of the world's most fascinating places, whether flying non-stop or seeking out onward connections.

A number of the connectivity improvements winging into EDI in 2024 include:

โœˆ๏ธ Emirates resuming direct flights to Dubai from November.

โœˆ๏ธ Hainan operating more flights from Edinburgh to Beijing then ever before.

โœˆ๏ธ Pegasus launching its first Scottish flights between EDI and Istanbul from June.

โœˆ๏ธ Turkish Airlines upping its Istanbul service to ten flights each week.

โœˆ๏ธ Flights to Doha with Qatar Airways will continue in what is the airline's tenth year at Edinburgh Airport.

Emirates returns.

Emirates will return to Edinburgh on November 4 with daily flights to Dubai.

Services will operate on an A350 aircraft and flights will have 32 lie-flat seats in business class, 21 seats in premium economy, and 259 economy class seats.

Flights will leave Edinburgh for Dubai at 2040 arriving at 0805, and Dubai - Edinburgh journeys will depart at 1450 arriving at 1905.

More flights than ever before to China.

There will be more flights between Edinburgh and Beijing than ever before this year.

Hainan Airlines will operate services between the two cities from May 17 to October 26, an increase of nine weeks on 2023.

There will be four flights per week in the peak summer months (June 1 to September 30) and two flights per week outwith. The flights will be operated on an Airbus A330-300.

Pegasus spreads its wings at EDI.

Pegasus Airlines will spread its wings at Edinburgh Airport, operating flights to Istanbul from June 27.

Twice weekly flights will operate year-round on Thursdays and Sundays on A320neo / A321neo aircraft.

The service will connect Edinburgh Airport and Istanbul Sabiha Gรถkรงen (SAW) for the first time, enhancing connections to Tรผrkiye and beyond.

Even more services to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines.

Turkish Airlines is also upping the frequency of its Edinburgh - Istanbul services this summer.

From June 10 there will be ten flights each week between the two cities, offering even more choice to passengers at Scotland's busiest airport.

Double daily services to Doha.

Qatar Airways will continue to operate double daily flights to Doha, a decade on from the first flight on the route.

The airline this summer marks its tenth anniversary at Edinburgh Airport having carried around 1.4 million passengers between Scotland and Qatar since 2014.

Passengers can make use of its fantastic services to the Middle East or connect through Doha and explore further afield.

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