What to expect flying in Emirates' new premium economy cabin


Hayley Skirka
  • English
  • Arabic

After months of flying in soft launch, Emirates airline’s new premium economy cabins are now officially in service.

Flight number EK001 departed Dubai for Heathrow just after 7.45am on Monday as the first Emirates A380 flight on which travellers were able to book first, business, premium economy and economy seats.

Travellers flying Emirates premium economy have a dedicated check-in desk at Dubai International Airport. Photo: Emirates
Travellers flying Emirates premium economy have a dedicated check-in desk at Dubai International Airport. Photo: Emirates

The flight marked the launch of the new cabin class on Emirates' high-traffic superjumbos to London, Paris and Sydney. The service will be introduced on A380 flights to Christchurch from December.

With capacity for 56 passengers, the newest cabin class has a two-four-two configuration, making it ideal for couples or families of four who want to sit together.

Passengers upgrading from economy will be able to check in at a dedicated desk at Dubai International Airport, and will find their seats at the front of the double-decker aircraft.

Inspired by the airline's business cabins, premium economy has leather seats with detailed wood panelling and passengers are offered a hot towel and a welcome drink directly after boarding.

A passengers relaxes in the new Emirates premium economy cabin. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A passengers relaxes in the new Emirates premium economy cabin. Chris Whiteoak / The National

There’s also a separate menu for travellers to choose meals from and these are served on chinaware and with stainless-steel cutlery for a more premium dining service.

Perhaps the biggest draw for passengers upgrading, especially those flying long-haul to Sydney, will be the wider seats that come with extra legroom.

Each seat has a pitch of up to 40 inches plus an eight-inch recline that means they can be adjusted into a cradle position. Calf rests, footrests and a six-way adjustable headrest will also help passengers get as comfortable as possible in the air. There’s also a handy cocktail table for drinks so passengers don’t need to put tray tables down when not dining.

An Emirates crew member performs a safety briefing in the premium economy cabin of the A380. Chris Whiteoak / The National
An Emirates crew member performs a safety briefing in the premium economy cabin of the A380. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Travellers seated in the new cabin will have a personal 13.3-inch seat-back screen, one of the largest in this cabin class, for in-flight entertainment.

Fares for premium economy seats are much more affordable than business-class fares.

For example, on flight EK075 on August 19 from Dubai to Paris, economy tickets start from Dh3,930, with an upgrade to premium economy starting from Dh560. The cheapest business-class tickets on the same flight are more than Dh8,000 extra.

Emirates plans to introduce a smaller premium economy cabin on select Boeing 777 jets. Seating up to 24 passengers, the new cabin will be located between business and economy.

Etihad’s flagship A350 jet makes inaugural flight to the US — in pictures

Profile

Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari

Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.

Number of employees: Over 50

Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised

Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital 

Sector of operation: Transport

Monster

Directed by: Anthony Mandler

Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington 

3/5

 

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

Dhadak

Director: Shashank Khaitan

Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana

Stars: 3

'Champions'

Director: Manuel Calvo
Stars: Yassir Al Saggaf and Fatima Al Banawi
Rating: 2/5
 

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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FLIP5
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6.30pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
Winner: Superior, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap Dh 185,000 2,000m
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7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
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8.15pm

Handicap Dh 190,000 1,400m
Winner: Taamol, Dane O’Neill, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
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Handicap Dh 175,000 1,600m
Winner: Welford, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

9.25pm: Handicap Dh 175,000 1,200m
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10pm: Handicap Dh 165,000 1,600m
Winner: Untold Secret, Xavier Ziani, Sandeep Jadhav

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Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

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Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

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Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder

Transmission: 7-speed auto

0-100kmh 2.3 seconds

0-200kmh 5.5 seconds

0-300kmh 11.6 seconds

Power: 1500hp

Torque: 1600Nm

Price: Dh13,400,000

On sale: now

Washmen Profile

Date Started: May 2015

Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Laundry

Employees: 170

Funding: about $8m

Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures

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Racecard
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Company profile

Date started: December 24, 2018

Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer

Based: Dubai Media City

Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)

Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech

Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year

Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

'Panga'

Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta

Rating: 3.5/5

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Profile

Name: Carzaty

Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar

Launched: 2017

Employees: 22

Based: Dubai and Muscat

Sector: Automobile retail

Funding to date: $5.5 million

Titan Sports Academy:

Programmes: Judo, wrestling, kick-boxing, muay thai, taekwondo and various summer camps

Location: Inside Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Telephone:  971 50 220 0326

 

Nick's journey in numbers

Countries so far: 85

Flights: 149

Steps: 3.78 million

Calories: 220,000

Floors climbed: 2,000

Donations: GPB37,300

Prostate checks: 5

Blisters: 15

Bumps on the head: 2

Dog bites: 1

Updated: August 01, 2022, 6:45 AM