Emirates has released images and more details of its long-awaited premium economy seat, which has been fitted to one of the carrier’s A380 aircraft delivered this month.
The premium economy cabin is located at the front of the main deck of the superjumbo, with a total of 56 seats in a 2-4-2 layout. Three toilets have been dedicated to the new cabin.
Features include up to 40 inches of seat pitch, 19.5 inches of seat width, eight inches of recline, and a 13.3-inch IFE screen.
There is in-seat charging, a wide fold out dining table, and a side cocktail table. The seat is upholstered in “cream-coloured anti-stain leather with stitching details and a wood panel finishing similar to business class”, and also features six-way adjustable headrests, calf rests and footrests.
Emirates plans to take delivery of five A380s with the new seating by 2022, and it is also set to be installed on “some” of the carrier’s B777X 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”.
Emirates said it would announce details of which routes the new A380 with premium economy will be deployed on “in the coming weeks”.
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.
Economy class see the new seat installed on the carrier’s B777 “Gamechanger” aircraft, with full leather headrests, flexible side panels and 13.3-inch IFE screens.
Commenting on the news Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said:
“The Emirates A380 is already one of the most sought-after travel experiences in the skies, and now we’ve made it even better. While others cut back, Emirates is working hard to restore the products and services that we’ve had to suspend or adjust due to pandemic precautions, and introduce new offerings and enhancements. True to our fly better promise, Emirates continues to invest to offer our customers the best possible experience.”
“Our Premium Economy product was carefully developed in keeping with Emirates’ brand positioning as a full-service airline of the highest quality. Our First, Business and Economy experiences reset industry standards when they were introduced, and we are confident that our Premium Economy will also make its mark as a distinct premium offering.
“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.”
