Emirates has this week taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900. In a previous post, I covered the details of the interiors of Emirates’ A350s, including how the carrier is basically installing its same old business class. In this post I wanted to focus on another update we’ve just learned about, as it relates to first class on the A350.
In this post:
Emirates won’t install first class on any A350s
Emirates has a total of 65 Airbus A350-900s on order. Up until now, we’ve known that Emirates wouldn’t install first class on its first batch of A350s. However, the belief was that Emirates may install a first class cabin on some of its later A350 deliveries, as the airline will be taking delivery of these jets over the course of several years.
Well, unfortunately that’s no longer the case, as Emirates has revealed its exact A350 fleet plans. All Emirates A350s will be in a three-cabin configuration, with business class, premium economy, and economy:
- Emirates’ first 15 A350s will feature 312 seats; these planes won’t have crew rest facilities, so won’t be used for long haul flights
- Emirates’ remaining 50 A350s will feature 298 seats; these planes will have crew rest facilities, so will be used for long haul flights (in addition to being used for some shorter hops)
So there you have it, now we know Emirates’ A350 fleet plans. All 65 jets will have the same interior, with the only difference being a slightly smaller economy cabin on the last 50 jets to be delivered, to allow for crew rest facilities.
This is a noteworthy strategy shift for Emirates
Over the years, we’ve seen airlines go in one of two directions when it comes to international first class. Some airlines have eliminated first class, arguing the cabin simply isn’t profitable or necessary, and instead focusing on offering a great business class product. Other airlines have continued to invest in first class, often making it more exclusive, as they see it having an important place in the market.
Emirates is unique in that it has the world’s largest first class footprint (in terms of the total number of first class seats), by far. The airline offers first class on a vast majority of its aircraft, with just a small subfleet of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s not having first class.
So it’s interesting to now see the airline becoming less focused on offering first class consistently. With Emirates expected to take delivery of 65 A350s, you can expect that the percentage of Emirates flights with first class will be decreasing over time.
Let me be clear — Emirates most certainly isn’t giving up on first class. The airline has over 200 Boeing 777Xs on order, and they’re all expected to feature first class — specifically, the carrier’s new first class product. Now, if/when the airline actually takes delivery of these planes remains to be seen, given that they’ve been delayed from 2020 until 2026 (so far).
I’m not saying that Emirates is making the wrong decision by not installing first class on its A350s. However, there’s no denying that it means the airline is somewhat deemphasizing the cabin. A few thoughts:
- Emirates has started installing premium economy in recent years, so it seems that Emirates increasingly sees there being value in dedicating “real estate” to that cabin
- Emirates presumably wants to keep its overall seat count up as much as possible, especially as the airline starts to retire A380s, which will greatly limit Emirates’ overall capacity
- Admittedly there’s not huge first class demand in all markets, but what has made Emirates unique is that the airline is the only one in the world to offer one-stop first class service between most cities; so whether you’re going from from Munich to Mauritius, or from Chicago to Chennai, or from Dallas to Dhaka, the airline can get you there in first class
- Emirates has made it pretty clear that it intends to use A350s for lower demand long haul markets, so it’s safe to assume that these planes won’t be flying to places like London, New York, Singapore, Sydney, etc.
Bottom line
We’ve now learned that Emirates won’t install first class on any of the 65 Airbus A350-900s the airline has on order. We’ve known for some time that the initial batch of A350s wouldn’t get first class, but now we’ve learned that none of the aircraft will get the cabin.
It’s hardly the most radical decision for the airline to make. However, for a carrier that was previously so dedicated to first class, it does mean the percentage of jets over time without first class will continue to increase. Fortunately once the 777X joins the fleet, we should at least see lots more aircraft with Emirates’ new first class product.
What do you make of Emirates not installing first class on any of its A350s?
And everyone is still assuming 777X will have first class.
"All Emirates A350s Won’t Have First Class: Big Implications" maybe, instead:
《No Emirates A350s Will Have First Class: Big Implications》
Pardon me if I'm being over analytical (at least the first 4 letters), but I didn't know there would be no F in their a350s until I read the article.
If their Business Class product would be any good I wouldn't mind. But their Business on the B777 has mainly recliner seats - awful. I will continue to stay away from EK.
Hate to be a pedant, but the title is a but vague. It can easily be read as that some A350s will have first class while some won't.
Suggest changing it to something like "No A350s will have first class"
Lucky should take advantage of the Black Friday deal on Grammarly. Or find a copy editor.
Agree
@Daniel: yup, I read it the same way
Who uses First class anyway.Only people with mileage to be able to upgrade as nobody pays for a full fare even people travelling on business whose company is paying at a heavily discounted rate and those in the entertainment business.Why have so many airlines invested heavily in business class and premium economy products as only a very small amount of airlines still offer First.
This raises eyebrows at first, until you look at the bigger picture regarding EK. Although we're used to thinking of EK as a long haul, luxury carrier that connects places like LAX, DFW and LHR with far flung destinations via DXB, much of the airline's business is somewhat more regional. They've been gradually adding a lot of destinations in places like Africa, southern/central Asia, etc. There's little demand for first class on routes like these....
This raises eyebrows at first, until you look at the bigger picture regarding EK. Although we're used to thinking of EK as a long haul, luxury carrier that connects places like LAX, DFW and LHR with far flung destinations via DXB, much of the airline's business is somewhat more regional. They've been gradually adding a lot of destinations in places like Africa, southern/central Asia, etc. There's little demand for first class on routes like these. So, I kinda get it.
That said, Emirates does seem to be slipping backwards a bit on their business class product. They are, however, heavily promoting their premium economy product which is also interesting. I've always thought that there's a large market for premium economy on mid/long haul flights - at the right price point. This may well be an interesting angle for a sharp aviation blogger to investigate further (ahem).
Wonder where these A350s will go in the near-term before DWC opens, then.... every single jet is expected to be delivered by 2028, and DWC is only opening in 2030. I'm sure EK could add some flights, but DXB saw 420,000 movements last year and is closing in to LHR's 2019 number of 475,000. Given how heavily banked they are, finding the slots for 50+ new jets seems like it could be a challenge. Of...
Wonder where these A350s will go in the near-term before DWC opens, then.... every single jet is expected to be delivered by 2028, and DWC is only opening in 2030. I'm sure EK could add some flights, but DXB saw 420,000 movements last year and is closing in to LHR's 2019 number of 475,000. Given how heavily banked they are, finding the slots for 50+ new jets seems like it could be a challenge. Of course, A350s can & will replace older 777s, but given the A359 being much smaller than the 777 & not featuring F, along with the 777 and A380 retrofit decreasing seat count on each of those jets, I'd be surprised if Emirates was planning a 1:1 replacement with a decrease in seat count systemwide from now until 2030
since EK has 65 A350s on order and the Airbus production log shows they should come at a pretty quick pace, the number of flights w/ FC will fall fairly quickly because it appears the A350 delivery rate will far exceed the retirement rate.
It never made much sense for EK to have FC on even the majority of its fleet; business class for most airlines can be and often is only a grade of...
since EK has 65 A350s on order and the Airbus production log shows they should come at a pretty quick pace, the number of flights w/ FC will fall fairly quickly because it appears the A350 delivery rate will far exceed the retirement rate.
It never made much sense for EK to have FC on even the majority of its fleet; business class for most airlines can be and often is only a grade of difference from first class. Showers aren't going to be on any other fleet type besides the A380.
The real difference is premium economy and EK finally recognizes there is more opportunity to move people up to that cabin with much less aircraft real estate at stake than into the first class cabin.
Add in the increased competition in the Middle East and first class will continue to slowly decline on most airlines.
The difference between Emirates business class and new first class is substantial. EK has invested significantly more in improving their first class product over their business class offering over the years , to maintain demand and give customers a reason to spend more on a higher tier experience.
You claim first class is dying , yet even Qatar airways is seeing a future for it. Despite Q suite 2.0 rivaling some of the best...
The difference between Emirates business class and new first class is substantial. EK has invested significantly more in improving their first class product over their business class offering over the years , to maintain demand and give customers a reason to spend more on a higher tier experience.
You claim first class is dying , yet even Qatar airways is seeing a future for it. Despite Q suite 2.0 rivaling some of the best first class products on offer today , QR has still opted to have a first class class cabin in all of their 60 777-9s on order.
the Middle East airlines were built on creating a hub midway between some of the busiest travel corridors by offering much higher level service at lower costs. They will be the last carriers to get rid of first class.
From a corporate travel and even high dollar spender, business class products can be very high quality. FC has to be just a little better but is all of that extra real estate really a competitive...
the Middle East airlines were built on creating a hub midway between some of the busiest travel corridors by offering much higher level service at lower costs. They will be the last carriers to get rid of first class.
From a corporate travel and even high dollar spender, business class products can be very high quality. FC has to be just a little better but is all of that extra real estate really a competitive advantage when there are so many very good business class products and a whole lot more that are "just good enough" because the airlines that offer them have such strong hubs?
As competition grows in the Middle East, it will be harder and harder for EK or QR or any of them to get the revenue out of first class.
Many carriers outside of the Middle East have reduced or eliminated first class.
BA just showcased a new FC product; however, it isn't really like what the Middle Eastern carriers are offering. Rather, it appears to be more of a 'step up' from Business. Very nice but not spectacular. Obviously, the fare difference will need to be appropriate to make it work.
That said, while you're correct regarding US airlines, there are others who still maintain or who have actually upgraded their FC offerings. Didn't AF just...
BA just showcased a new FC product; however, it isn't really like what the Middle Eastern carriers are offering. Rather, it appears to be more of a 'step up' from Business. Very nice but not spectacular. Obviously, the fare difference will need to be appropriate to make it work.
That said, while you're correct regarding US airlines, there are others who still maintain or who have actually upgraded their FC offerings. Didn't AF just come out with a new La Primere product? And Asian airlines seem to be in no hurry to ditch FC either. So the definitive tone of your comment seems not to fit the realities worldwide.
@Blue
Qatar Airways will not install first class on all of their 60 777Xs but on a handful of them as per their CEO. The CEO also stated clearly that there is first class demand to very few cities like London, Paris, New York, Singapore and Sydney.
According to Executive Traveler , all 60 777-9s will have first class. Makes sense to standardize the fleet with one layout anyway.
Emirates has a lot of 777-300ers in 2-class configuration, without first class. So when you look at how the A350s replace them and the 200lrs, and the way the fleet size will keep increasing in the future, the proportion of first class equipped aircraft as a percentage of the total fleet will only decrease very slightly, even accounting for the 787s. I wouldn’t get too worried about Emirates losing their ability to transport most passengers...
Emirates has a lot of 777-300ers in 2-class configuration, without first class. So when you look at how the A350s replace them and the 200lrs, and the way the fleet size will keep increasing in the future, the proportion of first class equipped aircraft as a percentage of the total fleet will only decrease very slightly, even accounting for the 787s. I wouldn’t get too worried about Emirates losing their ability to transport most passengers between many destinations in first class.