Emirates' New Premium Economy Class Does Not Compromise on Premium Experiences

The rumors are accurate – Emirates' new premium economy class resembles business class more than it does economy class. It is because to the numerous elements and subtleties that an experience is cultivated that beyond a mere enhancement of legroom.

When discussions arise on which airline offers the premier business class, the same names consistently prevail in the discourse. Emirates, the preeminent airline in the Middle East, immediately comes to mind. The airline provides sumptuous, lie-flat seats on its shortest trips, an onboard bar on the Airbus A380, and culinary offerings that rival those of its competitors, making its appeal evident.

For the majority of travelers, these premium experiences are exclusively allocated to the highest tiers of airline classes. What if there were an option that provides a premium experience without the necessity of purchasing a business class ticket? The advent of premium economy on Emirates' refurbished Airbus A380s and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft makes traveling in a class superior to normal economy a feasible option, particularly given the modest cost of the upgrade compared to business class.

Emirates aspires to provide a distinctive approach to premium economy. It introduces an entirely new cabin class that incorporates and reflects certain business class features rather than offering a "economy-plus" product, as is the tendency among most airlines.

This may assuage the concerns of those reserved in this travel class, although I initially have misgivings. I promptly recalibrated my expectations prior to commencing a 20-hour travel, including a brief layover in Dubai, to New York City from Singapore, concerned that I could be seated in a configuration not significantly distinct from economy class.

Nonetheless, the airline executed its operations correctly from the outset, prior to my boarding the aircraft. Premium economy passengers are permitted either 35kg of checked baggage or two pieces of checked baggage on flights to the United States and other destinations adhering to the per-piece policy. The allotment, merely 5kg short of the typical limit for business class customers, alleviated any pre-flight packing anxieties.

Numerous Emirates flight routes, particularly those utilizing A380 aircraft, typically see extended queues at the airport for check-in and luggage drop-off. Fortunately, there were designated counters for premium economy customers, and it was not long until my luggage was checked in without concern. The identical priority was likewise extended throughout the boarding phase. Premium economy class customers are permitted to board the aircraft via the forward door prior to economy class passengers. This results in shorter waits and fewer passengers to navigate, marking another success.

However, it is aboard where the true enchantment occurs. Premium economy class guests are welcomed by white leather recliners arranged in a 2-4-2 layout on the A380. They exhibit striking similarities to the airline's new business class seats, which are 20 inches wide and have a pitch of 42 inches. The additional inches may seem negligible for someone of a lower stature like myself, nevertheless I can guarantee you that the surplus space would be readily apparent in person. I could recline comfortably on my back and extend my legs without my knees making contact with the seat ahead of me.

Although the chairs do not feature a flatbed design, the additional space permits a calf and footrest that extends nearly 90 degrees. In conjunction with a seat that reclines 10cm further than an economy seat, relaxation was easily attained, as the chairs, surprisingly, had a greater softness than their appearance suggests. A soft, six-way adjustable headrest provides head support while seated and serves as a somewhat firm pillow during sleep. Between each seat is a divider-consola that contains storage for a water bottle and a wooden tray table that folds in half.

Shortly after I took my seat, the crew approached to provide a welcome beverage and a heated towel. I observed woodgrain panels on the aircraft's walls encircling the electronic shade windows. The premium economy section on the A380 is situated in the forward cabin of the lower deck, significantly enhancing the spaciousness of the aisle, so alleviating any sense of confinement. Positioning oneself in the front of the aircraft facilitates a more tranquil travel experience. The A380 offers three lavatories for the 56 premium economy seats, and the spacious cabin provides ample storage for each passenger. All of these elements enhance, rather than supplant, the in-flight experience.

Alongside enhanced seating, premium economy travelers can benefit from an improved selection of food and beverage offerings during the journey. The menu card for premium economy is remarkably large, featuring many fold-out pages, which I had not encountered previously.

Emirates' premium economy flights provide three main course options, accompanied by appetizers and desserts, as well as a selection of snacks, beverages, and chocolates available at any time. Certain wines are comparable to those served in Emirates' business class, and serving sizes are anticipated to be greater than those in economy class. Meals are presented on Royal Doulton china tableware with stainless steel cutlery encased in linen, akin to the offerings in business class. Despite the flight's full capacity, the crew efficiently served and cleared all 56 meals during the service. At this juncture, it was evident that there was nothing "economical" about this situation whatsoever.

Currently, major long-haul locations such as Singapore, London, Sydney, Auckland, Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, and Sao Paulo all provide one or more flights utilizing aircraft outfitted with Emirates' new premium economy product.

The definitive criterion for the upgrade from economy class is the comfort of the seats, akin to those in business class, sufficient for achieving restful sleep. While it is undoubtedly subjective for many, I successfully slept from Dubai to New York, even missing a dinner service, and arrived without experiencing nausea or disorientation.

The seat reclined sufficiently to create a sensation of being cradled. I did not encounter as significant a necessity to modify my position as I typically would in economy class; also, the leg rest contributes to this comfort. It is crucial to consider your seating position: the leg rest extends fully, and the recline is deeper than usual, which may result in disturbances to your sleep from fellow passengers. Consequently, having invested 20 hours in an exceptionally comfortable seat, accompanied by numerous other amenities, constitutes, in my view, an ideal flight.

Is Emirates' premium economy class worthwhile? Indeed, if one is aware that they should not anticipate being in business class. My experience in business class on my return journey from New York revealed that the onboard bar and lounge, airport lounge access, and complementary chauffeur services are irreplaceable enhancements that contribute to the appeal of Emirates’ business class. This is ideal for individuals want a luxury experience but unable to afford business class. The improvement is quite advantageous; I would not be astonished if other airlines aspire to provide comparable setups and services.