Emirates Premium Economy Exceeds Expectations in First Year of Operation
Emirates is celebrating a remarkable first year of full-service operations for its highly popular Premium Economy cabin. Since its introduction in August 2022, over 160,000 customers have traded up to experience the cabin’s quiet luxury, setting new industry benchmarks for Premium Economy travel. The airline expects strong demand momentum to continue in the coming months as it expands the offering to more cities.
Emirates’ Premium Economy Class has received overwhelming praise from customers, with demand exceeding expectations and bookings steadily increasing month on month. The cabin’s understated luxury and meticulously elevated experience have appealed to a broad range of travelers, making it a hit among solo travelers, couples, and families alike. More than 60% of Premium Economy customers in the last year were loyal Emirates Skywards members and frequent flyers.
The Premium Economy product is currently available on flights to 11 cities, including London Heathrow, Sydney, Singapore, and New York JFK, among others. By the end of the year, the list will grow to 13 cities as more retrofitted aircraft with refreshed cabins are put into service. Emirates plans to introduce Premium Economy to customers flying to/from Mumbai and Bengaluru from 29th October, with more destinations to be announced soon.
Since its debut, Emirates has operated close to 4,500 flights with Premium Economy, covering more than 36 million kilometers worldwide. On these flights, over 192,000 carefully curated meals, featuring the finest ingredients and regionally inspired dishes, have been served to Premium Economy customers. The menus are updated monthly to provide a diversity of flavors, especially for well-traveled customers. Indulgent desserts garnished with edible gold leaf are among the unique touches offered in the cabin.
Emirates takes pride in its extensive beverage selection, including a global exclusive for its Premium Economy customers – Australian sparkling wine, Chandon Vintage Brut 2016, alongside a choice of unique white and red wines. The airline has served 6,700 kilograms of mixed nuts and 8,650 liters of complimentary fresh lemon and mint juices to complement the dining experience.
The airline’s innovative approach to service excellence through Premium Economy has earned it numerous accolades and top placings in the cabin category at prestigious awards, including the 2023 Skytrax Awards, Business Traveller awards, Airline Ratings Excellence Awards, and 2022 Business Traveller Middle East awards.
Emirates’ successful Premium Economy campaign featured Academy Award-winning actor and philanthropist Penelope Cruz enjoying the spacious seats in the cabin. The airline also offered guided tours of the new cabin class to media, influencers, trade partners, and government officials across multiple cities.
The roll-out of Premium Economy is a significant part of Emirates’ multi-billion-dollar retrofit program, involving upgrades to 67 Emirates A380 cabins and 53 Boeing 777 cabins. By the end of the program, over 4,000 Premium Economy seats, 700 First Class suites, and 5,000 Business Class seats will be installed with the latest interiors, enhancing the overall travel experience for Emirates’ valued passengers.
