Emirates Premium Economy
Emirates Premium Economy

First Look at Emirates Premium Economy and Upgraded Cabins on A380

Today I was invited to have a first look at the Emirates Premium Economy Class on their newly delivered A380, registration A6-EVN.

The new Premium Economy cabin is a first for any Middle East airline, featuring 56 seats in a 2-4-2 cabin layout.

The airline received their newest A380 aircraft from Airbus’ Hamburg facility last week; their remaining order of 5 A380s will also be delivered with Premium Economy cabins, throughout 2021 and into 2022.

Trying out the new Emirates Premium Economy Seat
Trying out the new Emirates Premium Economy Seat
Emirates Premium Economy Seat
Emirates Premium Economy Seat

Key Details

  • Pitch: up to 40 inches
  • Width: 19.5 inches
  • Recline: 8 inches
  • Seats: 56 seats
  • Location: Forward of Economy Class on the lower deck of A380
a row of seats in a plane
a row of seats in an airplane

I interviewed Adel Al Redha, Chief Operation Officer of Emirates. He said that the new Premium Economy has been created due to high customer demand; Emirates passengers are wanting a product that is better than Economy, while still remaining affordable.

He mentioned that there are 5 more A380s with the Premium Economy set to join the Emirates A380 fleet.

Over time another 55% of the fleet will also be retro-fitted with the Premium Economy product as well.

Adel Al Redha, Chief Operation Officer of Emirates
a close-up of a plane seat

Emirates will start flying the new A380 with Premium Economy seating from 4th January on EK003/004, between Dubai and London Heathrow.

Complimentary Upgrades

Emirates have stated that they will not be selling these seats (as Premium Economy) until they reach a critical mass of aircraft. So for the time being it is only complimentary upgrades for Elite Skywards members and certain Economy Class fare paying passengers (presumably passengers with full fare Y tickets).

a rows of seats in an airplane
rows of seats in an airplane

For now there are no further details on the Premium Economy soft product available, only details regarding the seat itself. Emirates have stated that they will not be selling these seats (as Premium Economy) until they reach a critical mass of aircraft across the network.

the seats in an airplane

Upgraded Cabin

For the remainder of the A380 cabin, Emirates has made some small changes; however they have opted not to overhaul the layout or design.

Cabin detail and finishes have also been refreshed; these changes range from new motifs and colours, for the sweeping stairs that lead from the main deck to the upper deck, to refreshed design trims and modern fittings in the Shower Spa.

Stair case feature Ghaf Tree, a tree you often found in the Gulf region
Stair case feature Ghaf Tree, a tree you often found in the Gulf region
Refurbished Shower and Spa in First Class on Emirates A380
Refurbished Shower and Spa in First Class on Emirates A380

Business Class

Emirates have retained their popular A380 Business Class seats; which offer direct aisle access for every passenger, recline to a fully-flat position and feature a mini bar among other features.

All 76 seats have been refreshed to feature champagne-coloured leather covers and wood finishing's, inspired by executive jets, similar to the Business Class on Emirates’ Boeing 777 “Gamechanger” aircraft.

Refurbished Business Class seat on Emirates A380
Refurbished Business Class seat on Emirates A380
The refurbished Emirates Business Class seat are inspired from executive jet design
The refurbished Emirates Business Class seat are inspired by executive jet design
a row of seats with monitors on the side
inside a plane with seats and a wooden seat
the inside of an airplane with many monitors
a man sitting in a chair
a man sitting in a plane

Seeing it in person, I was overall very impressed with the cabin décor; the executive jet-inspired seat fabric delivers a modern and sophisticated look, throughout the entire Business Class cabin.

A full video review of the new A380 cabin is coming later this week.