Reupholstered and upgraded seats, including the wider rollout of premium economy, will progressively be fitted to nearly half of the Emirates fleet of Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft in the coming months.

Already, six of the Dubai carrier’s 123 A380 superjumbos offer premium economy, with passengers currently enjoying the new cabin on flights connecting Dubai with Sydney, London and Paris. From December 2022, travellers in Christchurch will enjoy Emirates premium economy for the first time.

Each of the four-class Emirates A380s features 56 premium economy seats arranged in a 2-4-2 layout across seven rows, nestled in their own private cabin at the front of the lower deck.

Emirates has high hopes for this ‘in-between’ class which improves on economy in every respect, from comfort to meals and drinks.

Interested in the upgraded Emirates premium economy experience? Here’s what you need to know.

Emirates premium economy: what is it like?

The Dubai carrier’s new premium economy class is a bold and strategic move for the Gulf airline, which across its 35-year history has only ever offered first class, business class  and economy.

Emirates’ posh premium economy cabin.

Like other airlines offering similar seats, Emirates is targeting economy passengers who may be tempted to part with a little more of their money in exchange for an improved long-range travel experience.

“[Premium economy is] probably where business class used to be, and in some cases where first used to be in the old days, 30 years ago,” Emirates President Sir Tim Clark has previously told Executive Traveller, describing the seat as akin to a railway-style ‘sleeperette’.

Emirates premium economy: how is it different to economy?

Passengers looking to upgrade from economy will find themselves cradled in this more spacious seat with a pitch of “up to 40 inches” compared to the 32-34 inches of economy.

In premium economy, it’s all about the comfort – from wider seats to more legroom and a nice deep recline.

Seats are a little wider than their economy counterparts – 19.5 inches compared to 18 inches – and arranged in a 2-4-2 layout rather than the more crowded 3-4-3 of economy.

Seat pitch – a reliable if not perfect stand-in for legroom – is around 38 inches for most rows (about standard for premium economy on most airlines) with an extra two inches for the front row, so there’s definitely less squeeze around the knees compared to economy class.

Emirates premium economy: the seat

Emirates premium economy seat has been calibrated to be a noticeable improvement on economy without cannibalising the appeal of business class. In other words, it’s for upgraders rather than downgraders.

Emirates arranges its premium economy seating in a 2-4-2 layout.

While flatbeds remain the domain of business class, the extra eight or so inches of recline and a generous leg-rest which swings up at the front helps travellers get from A to B with plenty of Zzz.

Emirates’ premium economy puts a ‘premium’ on comfort.

This is complemented by a padded six-way adjustable headrest and a nifty platform for your feet to set a comfortable stage which will help you gently doze off.

Emirates premium economy seats sport a six-way adjustable headrest.

You’ll find USB-A and USB-C ports nestled below the 13.3″ seatback video screen, with one universal AC power socket shared between every two seats.

Meals from the premium economy menu are served on a polished woodgrain dining table which folds up from the side, with a separate side table able to handle your drink or a snack.

Emirates premium economy also wants to elevate the dining experience.

The airline’s Airbus A380 superjumbos sport 56 premium economy seats at the front of the lower deck, in a dedicated cabin with two exclusive lavatories.

(On those relatively few A380s which lack first class, premium economy will be added to the upper deck, with three toilets where the two first class shower suites would otherwise be.)

At the time of writing, only six of Emirates’ A380s feature the new premium economy seating, but 61 more are on the way.

The airline’s fourth class will also be installed on 53 of its 124 Boeing 777 jets as part of a US$1.5 billion, 18-month retrofit program due to commence at the end of 2022.

The single-level Boeing 777 will feature up to 24 premium economy seats in a dedicated cabin nestled between business and economy class.

Emirates premium economy: meals and service

Guests in Emirates’ premium economy can select from a rotating menu of dishes served on Royal Doulton china with stainless steel cutlery.

Emirates’ premium economy passengers can tuck into ‘business class-inspired’ meals.

With meals “inspired by business class” you can expect inflight dining to be seriously elevated beyond economy, along with a number of wines not available further back.

Prior to take-off, guests will be welcomed onboard with a drink served in fine glassware.

There’s a self-service snack bar if you get peckish, although premium economy passengers aren’t admitted to Emirates’ iconic onboard lounge at the back of the upper deck, which remains the exclusive domain of business and first class flyers.

Emirates premium economy: how much does it cost?

At the time of writing, Emirates appears to be cannily pricing premium economy almost halfway between economy and business class.

Pricing in the middle of October 2022 on the busy London-Dubai route shows economy fares at £520 and £867, depending on how flexible the fare is with regards to changes – that represents an ‘average’ economy fare of £693.

Emirates’ premium economy lists at £1326 (this is a fully flexible fare, equivalent to the more expensive economy option), while business class is pegged at £2648.

Emirates premium economy: lounge access

Lounge access is not included with Emirates premium economy fares, however travellers can always pay extra to use these facilities.

Lounge access won’t be bundled into your Emirates premium economy ticket but will be available as a cost-extra option, or you can use your Gold or Platinum frequent flyer card for a free visit.

The airline currently sells access to its flagship Dubai business class lounge, and others like it around the world for US$130 per person, discounted to US$100 for Emirates Skywards members.