Premium economy can be a real sweet spot for those weighing a tradeoff between price, luxury, service, and comfort on long-haul flights. Today, Emirates, the largest airline in and flag carrier for the United Arab Emirates, unveiled its first ever premium economy seat that will come installed on its new A380 aircraft. In true Emirates style, the seat looks especially luxurious for premium economy and constitutes a giant step forward in comfort, space and amenities over standard economy.
Emirates Premium Economy Seat And Cabin
Emirates places the premium economy section on the A380 lower deck at the front of the plane. The cabin, has 56 seats in a 2-4-2 layout. Premium economy has three dedicated lavatories.
Emirates’ premium economy seats are stylish. They are covered in cream-colored leather enhanced with stitching detail and wood-veneer finishing. This premium economy seat and cabin layout look a lot like business class on most airlines from 10 or 15 years ago.
Seat pitch (distance between rows) is very generous – up to 40 inches. The seat is 19.5 inches wide and reclines 8 inches. A calf rest and foot rest support the lower body in the relined position. Seats come with a six-way articulating headrest and large pillow.
Each seat has a 13.3” video monitor, for enjoying Emirates’ wide range of in-flight entertainment.
Thoughtful touches include easily accessible in-seat charging points, a wide dining table, side cocktail table, and open storage areas for phones, headsets, eyeglasses, etc..
Emirates operates more A380s, 117 currently, than any other airline. Lat week, Emirates received the first of six A380s presently slated to receive premium economy. The other five A380s will be delivered with premium economy in 2021 and 2022. Retrofitting the existing A380 fleet is still under consideration. In addition, Emirates will install premium economy on some Boeing 777X aircraft that are scheduled to enter the fleet starting in 2023.
Emirates’ announcement also came with the news that until it has enough planes with premium economy to start selling the product, it plans to offer the experience as a complimentary upgrade to “valued customers.” Presumably that means customers with elite status in the Emirates Skywards frequent flyer program.
Emirates plans to rotate premium economy equipped A380s on various routes and will specify where these planes will fly in the coming months.
Here is a short video tour of Emirates premium economy.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of if I’m spending cash, points, or miles for an airline ticket, choosing premium economy is often a great way to experience a higher level of luxury, comfort and service without breaking the bank. Emirates is entering the premium economy market with a very classy product. Primarily because it is not a member of an airline alliance, I’ve never flown Emirates. This new premium economy product makes it very tempting to go out of my way to do so in the future.
What do you think of Emirates new product?
Photo credit for all photos: Emirates
Salsaworldtraveler'sblog 
I’m lucky that Qantas teamed up three or four years ago with emirates. The pricing will be key but I may be able to use points to travel premium economy. Looks awesome and very spacious.
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I’m a big fan of Emirates and it’s my go to choice for long haul travel. I’m sure the Premium Economy will feel special. I’ve travelled in all the other three classes and it’s never less than a pleasure.
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Its good to know you’ve had such good experiences with Emirates. I’m looking forward to my first flight, and premium economy might be a good way to start. Emirates will surely add PE to more than six of its A380s but likely not all.
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Enjoy
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That’s the plan😄
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I read that Emirates has more than half the world’s flying A380s. I have never flown on one. Probably now never will. I have not been on any plane since February 2020, which is a longer gap than ever in my entire adult life. I have transformed my business completely and will probably never go back to flying the way I once did. Hmmm, right now I am not missing it. Thanks for the good post. Are you back in the air?
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That’s probably correct. Emirates has 117 and there have been less than 300 delivered. I’m like you, not having flown since March. I am missing it. I probably won’t fly until after getting a vaccine. Many businesses are changing their travel practices. It will be a challenge for airlines because many built their business models on the high prices they can charge to most business travelers. Thanks for your comment!
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Yes, I think that airlines are in for a rude awakening when they discover that business travelers are not coming back the same way it was in 2019. Many businesses have fundamentally transformed their delivery, and learned how to have effective and efficient meetings right from their desks. Gone are the days when I used to travel to New York City from California for a 2 hour face-to-face meeting.
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Among other changes, the new reality may change the way frequent flyer programs are structured.
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that does seem like an appealing way to fly, without, as you note, breaking the bank…
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At least my bank anyway 😄
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or mine… 🙂
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♡ My Friend, My Brother; on a occasion Singapore was UnAble to Take Off on Time with a Connecting Flight…then Singapore put ALL Delayed on an A380; so I Don’t Understand Why The A30 is No Longer in Production when I Got 3 Economy Seats to MySelf 🙄🤭🤔 ? The Jumbo Jet lasted a Lot Longer and Even The Blended Wings (Concorde) is Being Rejuvenated; begging the vexing Question, ARE These Dumb Airlines Executives Even THINKING!!! beyond Money and Profits
…♡♡♡…
…♡♡♡…
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You got the lie-flat economy seat on that flight with a row to your self! The A380 is great for passengers but bad for airline profits with four engines that aren’t as efficient as the new ones coming out these days. That’s all the airline execs and Wall Street analysts care about as you say.
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Looks comfy but I can see cream getting dirty quickly!
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Good point. Dark colors wear better. We’ll see how stain resistant these seats are.
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