Emirates tempts travelers with a distinct economy cabin in new A380s

Emirates is uneviling a Premium Economy offering with new 56-seat, wood-paneled cabins providing more leg space, wide dining table, and wide seats with calfrests and footrests, on its newest A380 aircraft and says it will reveal more details in the coming weeks.

The airline took delivery of its newest A380 aircraft from Airbus’ Hamburg facility last week, and its remaining order of five A380s will also be delivered with premium economy cabins over 2021 and 2022.

Sir Tim Clark, the president of Emirates Airline said, Emirates is working hard to restore the products and services that had been suspended or adjusted due to pandemic precautions, and introducing new offerings and enhancements.

“Our Premium Economy product was 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.''

Emirates’ premium economy seats will also be installed on some of its Boeing 777X aircraft which are only due to join the fleet in 2023.

Emirates is also considering plans to retrofit its existing A380 fleet.

Sir Tim said the newest A380 aircraft will fly various routes so that passengers can experience the latest offering in all classes.

The premium economy cabin has 56 seats in a 2-4-2 layout.

With a pitch of up to 40-inches, the seat is 19.5 inches wide, and reclines 8 inches into a comfortable cradle position with room to stretch out.

Covered in cream-colored anti-stain leather with stitching details and a wood panel finishing similar to Business Class, each seat is designed to provide optimal comfort and support with 6-way adjustable headrests, calf rests and footrests.

Emirates said each seat has a 13.3" screen, one of the largest in its class.

There are charging points in seats, a wide dining table and side cocktail table.

Emirates Premium Economy is located at the front of the main deck, with two lavatories.

There are also personal dining and cocktail tables with luxury wood finishing.

In Economy, Emirates has replaced all 338 seats with ergonomically designed seats fitted with leather headrests and flexible side panels which can be adjusted vertically.

This latest seat model is a step up from the version now installed on Emirates’ Boeing 777 Gamechanger aircraft. It is lighter, without compromising on comfort or function. Each seat features a classy wood grain finish on tray tables, as well as a 13.3" personal screen.

Throughout the Emirates A380 interior, passengers will see new finishes and design touches featuring the Ghaf (prosopis cineraria) tree motif, the national tree, as well as the champagne color scheme with wood panelling and bronze accents from Emirates’ latest Boeing 777 Gamechanger interiors.