Emirates Reveals Details of New Premium Economy Cabin
The 19.5-inch-wide seat is configured in a 2-4-2 layout at the front of the airline’s A380 main deck
December 30, 2020
Emirates has taken delivery of a new A380 this month, featuring the carrier’s much anticipated premium economy product. The Gulf carrier had long been rumored to be developing its own in-between cabin, joining a number of global airlines which have deployed similar products to bridge business class and economy classes.
The new Emirates cabin has a total of 56 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration located at the front of the aircraft’s main deck of the superjumbo.
The premium economy seats are 19.5 inches with eight inches of recline and up to 40 inches of seat pitch. The seat is upholstered in “cream-colored anti-stain leather with stitching details and a wood panel finishing similar to business class,” according to the airline, and also features six-way adjustable headrests, calf rests and footrests.
For a look at Emirates’ new premium economy class, check out the video here.
There is in-seat charging, a wide fold out dining table, a side cocktail table and a 13.3-inch IFE screen. The cabin also has three toilets exclusively for premium economy passengers.
Emirates is set to take delivery of five A380s outfitted with the new seating by 2022, and the new cabin will also be installed on “some” of the carrier’s 777X aircraft which are scheduled to join the fleet from 2023. The airline also said that it is “is considering plans to retrofit its existing A380 fleet”.
The seat was unveiled alongside a number of A380 product enhancements, including wider and taller privacy doors in first class, and refreshed seating details in business class and first class.
The A380 economy class has a redesigned seat installed, which the airline says is a step up from the “Gamechanger” economy class seating on the carrier’s current 777 fleet, with full leather headrests, flexible side panels and 13.3-inch IFE screens.
“Our Premium Economy product was carefully developed in keeping with Emirates’ brand positioning as a full-service airline of the highest quality,” said Sir Tim Clark, president Emirates Airline.
“Until we have a viable number of seats in our inventory to bring to market, we plan to offer the Emirates Premium Economy experience as a complimentary upgrade to valued customers. We’ll also deploy our newest A380 aircraft on various routes so that our customers can experience our latest offering in all classes.”
Emirates said it would announce details of which routes the new A380 with premium economy will be deployed on “in the coming weeks.”