What Is the Inside of the New Emirates Airbus A350 Like?

Under the bright Dubai morning sky, a new chapter unfolded for Emirates as it officially revealed its first Airbus A350-900 to the world.

The aircraft was delivered on November 26 directly from the Airbus delivery center in Toulouse. It was flown to the U.K. for formalities and then landed in Dubai at 2 AM the following morning.

Photo: Airbus A350-900. Courtesy of Emirates

The exclusive showcase began at 10:00 a.m. local time, led by Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates, alongside His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy.

The event, attended by an elite gathering of dignitaries, industry partners, and aviation journalists, offered guests an up-close look at the aircraft’s features and next-generation design.

With the introduction of the A350-900, Emirates is taking a proactive step forward, promising a superior travel experience and a strategic expansion into underserved markets.

We were honoured to welcome @HHShkMohd, accompanied by @AhmedMohammed and @SheikhMansoor, as they joined us to mark the unveiling of the first-ever @Emirates @Airbus A350.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed’s decisive leadership and support have been instrumental in shaping Emirates’ success.… pic.twitter.com/9Vtag4DmWZ

— HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum (@HHAhmedBinSaeed) November 27, 2024

But how does this aircraft fit into Emirates’ storied fleet, and what does it mean for the future of air travel?

A Shift in Fleet and Philosophy

The A350 is Emirates’ first new aircraft type since 2008 and marks a notable evolution in its fleet strategy. Unlike its flagship Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, the A350 is designed for efficiency and versatility, focusing on mid-sized markets and ultra-long-haul routes.

The airline plans to operate two versions of the A350: one optimized for regional routes and another for long-haul, premium-heavy routes.

Photo: Emirates, Airbus A350-900. Courtesy of Emirates

Interestingly, Emirates has chosen not to include its iconic First Class cabin on this first aircraft, citing a global shift away from First Class in favor of enhanced Business Class offerings.

This decision aligns with trends across the industry, as modern Business Class products rival and often surpass the luxuries of traditional First Class.

The @Emirates #A350 has touched down at #DXB and it’s a showstopper ✈️😍 pic.twitter.com/8cgqMCFB2d

— DXB (@DXB) November 27, 2024

“This aircraft sets the stage for Emirates to spread its wings farther, offering added range, efficiency, and flexibility to our network,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group. “Our updated interiors and seating configurations will help us deliver a more elevated and comfortable experience to travelers across every cabin class.”

Cabin Highlights: What to Expect

The Emirates aircraft features a three-class configuration with 312 seats, thoughtfully designed to enhance passenger comfort. This design includes unique attributes that distinguish it from other operators of the same model.

Business Class

In Business Class, Emirates has maintained a consistent offering similar to that of its new Airbus counterparts. The cabin, closely resembling the updated Boeing 777 Business Class, boasts 32 ultra-modern leather ‘S Lounge’ seats.

Photo: Airbus A350-900 Business Class. Courtesy of Emirates

Inspired by the Mercedes S-Class, these seats exude elegance and incorporate advanced features to enhance the passenger experience. Each seat provides direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring privacy and exclusivity for every traveler.

Key highlights include wireless charging conveniently positioned on the side cocktail table and intuitive in-seat lighting controls offering five customizable lighting options. The lie-flat seats, covered in rich leather, convert into a cocoon of comfort for restful journeys, while oversized 4K ICE screens provide an immersive entertainment experience.

Photo: Airbus A350-900 Business Class. Courtesy of Emirates

Passengers can also enjoy the signature Emirates personal minibar, numerous power sockets, USB ports, and a wireless charging station, ensuring seamless connectivity throughout the flight.

Premium Economy

In Premium Economy, Emirates continues to roll out this relatively new product, which was originally launched in 2022. All 65 incoming aircraft will feature this new cabin, providing a premium experience accessible to a wider audience.

Photo: Airbus A350-900 Premium Economy. Courtesy of Emirates

Designed for travelers seeking a more spacious and comfortable experience at a competitive price, the Premium Economy cabin includes 28 seats in an exclusive, intimate setting. The spacious leather reclining seats come with adjustable headrests, full leg and footrests, and side cocktail tables for added convenience.

Photo: Airbus A350-900 Premium Economy. Courtesy of Emirates

Each seat is equipped with in-seat charging points and a 13.3-inch TV screen, along with thoughtful amenities like generously sized pillows and blankets, as well as complimentary amenity kits on select flights.

Economy Class

Lastly, Economy Class features 259 seats arranged in a 3-3-3 layout, providing added comfort with ample legroom, redesigned fabric in elegant hues, and a six-way adjustable headrest set to debut in 2025.

Photo: Airbus A350-900 Economy. Courtesy of Emirates

All cabins benefit from extra-high ceilings, wider aisles, and larger storage bins, contributing to a spacious and relaxed environment.

Upgraded IFE and Connectivity

A hallmark of the Emirates A350 is its in-flight entertainment system (IFE), an upgrade to its award-winning ICE platform.

According to the airline, passengers will enjoy larger, high-definition cinematic displays in every cabin, a vast library of content complete with enhanced search features and new functionalities—such as the ability to skip credits and intros—and touchscreen call buttons for cabin crew, along with digital access to menus and reading materials.

🔴 It’s been a long and enjoyable day here in Dubai. The A350 looks great with @emirates livery, and it’s nice to see that the airline has kept and improved its high standards in its newest aircraft.

Read more at https://t.co/dVYb3ej7km pic.twitter.com/gjzuHulelk

— Simone Chellini (@simone_chellini) November 27, 2024

Connectivity has also been significantly improved with a next-generation antenna that ensures uninterrupted global Wi-Fi coverage, including over the North Pole.

According to the airline, Emirates has invested over $2 million per aircraft to enhance bandwidth, allowing more passengers to stay connected simultaneously.

Sustainability and Expansion

During the event, the airline stressed how the A350’s fuel-efficient design enables Emirates to grow its network profitably while reducing its environmental footprint.

“We expect the A350 to become an integral member of the Emirates’ fleet and support its continued growth and sustainability ambitions,” said Phillipe Mhun, the Executive Vice President of Programs & Services for Airbus.

Photo: Courtesy of Airbus / Herve Gousse-Master Films

This efficiency, combined with the aircraft’s ability to serve destinations with lower demand, opens up new possibilities for expansion.

In 2025, Emirates plans to announce additional routes—up to 15 hours from Dubai—taking advantage of the A350’s range and capabilities.

Its first scheduled flight, however, is set for January 3, 2025, connecting Dubai (DXB) to Edinburgh (EDI).

A Step Towards the Future

As the aviation world gathers in awe of the A350’s debut, Sir Tim Clark’s words resonate: “This aircraft is not just about fleet modernization; it’s about preparing Emirates for the next era of air travel,” he said.

With plans to receive 65 A350s in the coming years, including a long-range variant, Emirates is poised to extend its reach to new horizons while continuing to offer the exceptional service for which it is renowned.

Photo: Courtesy of Airbus / Herve Gousse-Master Films

“The A350s joining our fleet in the coming years fit into the airline’s broader plans to support our visionary leadership’s Dubai’s D33 Strategy, which will transform the city into a pivotal hub in the global economy by expanding its connectivity and reach,” remarked Al Maktoum.