Emirates Airlines -- which is wholly owned by the government of Dubai -- kicked off its non-stop service from Dubai (DXB) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington, D.C., today.

So, you know we had to be there.

Aboard the inaugural flight from Dubai (via Boeing 777-300 ER), which was given a water-cannon salute upon landing, were Francisco Sanchez, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade; Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline; Michael Corbin, USA Ambassador to the UAE; and Orhan Abbas, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations.

Emirates has significantly expanded its USA presence since it started serving NYC in 2004 to include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston -- and, this year alone, it launched service to Dallas, Seattle and Washington, D.C. And, its presence in our Nation's Capital isn't only cool, it's boosting the economy to the tune of $200 million per year as it makes IAD the USA's second-largest hub to the Middle East.

What do we love the most about Emirates?

• The flight attendants' uniforms are amazeballs; [pic]
• The first-class section features private suites; [pic] [read more]
• In-flight food and drinks (including cocktails) are free;
• Emirates is eco-friendly -- the company leads the airline industry in fuel efficiency;
• Every seat features SMS, telephone and email service;
• Complimentary chauffeur-driven airport transfers are available for premium customers; [read more]
• The in-flight entertainment system features more than 1,400 channels; [read more]
• High tea is served in first class during flights. [read more]

"Emirates offers important new choice, competition and a higer level of internationally recognized service to the Washington, D.C., market with a state-of-the-art product and fleet," said Emirates Airlines President Tim Clark. "As one of the most important global cities in the world, we look forward to connecting D.C.-area travelers with the largest number of one-stop flights to Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and Southeast Asia."

Emirates, which was conceived in March 1985 with backing from Dubai's royal family, will offer daily non-stop passenger service between Washington and Dubai. Flight 232 will depart IAD every day at 10:55 a.m., arriving at DXB the following day at 8 a.m. local time; and Flight 231 will depart DXB every day at 2:20 a.m., arriving at IAD at 8:50 a.m. the same day. [Wanna go? Books flights here!]

We had so much learning about Emirates today that we've got a new goal: Team. @Glittarazzi. Dubai. Vacay.

 
Video: Emirates Airlines launches flight sevice to Washington, D.C., from Dubai 

DiD yOu KnOw? ... The population of Dubai has doubled since 1995. In fact, less than 20% of residents are actually locals. Exponential immigration has led to the local, Emirati population almost being nonexistent. However, everyone gets along as well as they should, with an extremely low crime rate (violent crime is almost unheard of). And, there is little social strife. Maybe it's the shopping? The malls in Dubai are extremely luxurious affairs, with unsullied leather sofas, marble floors, beautiful fountains, and restrooms rivalling those of 5-star hotels. [read more]

 
Photo: Yummy inaugural-flight cake!

Photo: Water-cannon salute!

Photo: Emirates President Tim Clark speaks. 

Photo: Symbolic gift exchange between @dcairports president & CEO Jack Potter and @flying_emirates President Tim Clark.

Photo: Awaiting the inaugural flight's arrival.

Photo: (L-R) Glittarazzi's Ali Lewis, Kelly Ann Collins and Shruti Shah pose with Emirates flight attendants.


Photo: (L-R) Glittarazzi's Ali Lewis, Shruti Shah, Jed Dwyer and Kelly Ann Collins strike a pose.
 

About Emirates
Emirates Airline currently serves 126 cities around the globe with a young and technologically-advanced fleet of 183 wide-bodied aircraft that are equipped with industry-leading comforts in the air. Emirates has 220 wide-bodied aircraft on order, worth more than US$62 billion, and is the leading customer of the Airbus A380, with 23 in its fleet and 67 on order. Renowned for its excellence in service and innovation, both on board and on the ground, Emirates holds an impressive array of prestigious awards, most recently including Air Transport World's 2011 "Airline of the Year" award and Frommer's selection of the Emirates Lounge at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport as one of the 2011 "Top Airport Lounges in North America." Emirates was also awarded the "World's Best Airline In-flight Entertainment" for the eighth year at the 2012 Skytrax World Airline Awards.