Emirates has this week taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900, as the airline has 65 of these on order. It’s an exciting milestone for the airline, as it’s the first new aircraft type the Dubai-based carrier has taken delivery of since 2008. Up until now, we haven’t known exactly what the interior of the A350 would look like, but there’s now an update.
A look at Emirates’ Airbus A350 interiors
Emirates has today shown off the interior of its first Airbus A350-900, and you’ll definitely want to manage your expectations. Many wondered if Emirates would finally introduce a new business class on the A350, but the airline decided against that.
Instead, Emirates’ A350s have a staggered seat from Safran. This is all based on Emirates’ A380 business class seat, though Emirates is now also reconfiguring its 777s with a similar business class seat.
Emirates highlights how the seat design is inspired by the Mercedes S-Class, and how each seat has a 20″ 4K TV. The business class seat has a minibar with two drinks and two snacks, and also offers wireless charging, for the first time.
For those curious about the rest of the plane, the premium economy cabin consists of 21 seats, in a 2-3-2 configuration. Emirates’ premium economy product is still pretty new, so it’s not surprising that there are no major updates there.
Meanwhile economy consists of 259 seats, in a 3-3-3 configuration.
Emirates highlights some of the improvements across cabins, like faster Wi-Fi, improved entertainment screens, larger overhead bins, and more.
Goodness, Emirates is really doubling down
In premium cabins, the airline industry is as competitive as ever before. We’re seeing airlines constantly improving their business class products. For example, Qatar Airways has its amazing Qsuites business class, but that’s not enough, as the airline has already revealed its next generation Qsuites product.
Then you have Emirates, which is doing very little to evolve its business class over the course of two decades. In 2008, Emirates took delivery of its very first A380, which featured this Safran staggered business class seat. Over the years, the airline has progressively improved the tech at the seat (charging options, entertainment screens, tablets, etc.), and has made the cabin finishes a bit more elegant.
However, other than that, the airline is using the same seat it has used since 2008. Keep in mind that Emirates will be taking delivery of A350s all the way through 2028, meaning that for a period of two decades, Emirates is taking delivery of planes with the same business class seats, and without an emphasis on added privacy. One wonders if the Boeing 777Xs will finally get new seats, or if they’ll get the same seats as well.
On the one hand, this seems bizarre, illogical, and kind of lazy. On the other hand, I kind of get it. The truth is, Emirates can keep getting away with offering this business class product:
- People love flying Emirates business class, and it’s not because of the hard product, but rather because of the soft product, the drink selection, etc.
- As a brand, Emirates has amazing name recognition, and quite a halo effect from things like the A380 onboard bar; people already think their Emirates flight will be great before they even board
- Emirates has scaled its network in a way where the carrier’s connectivity is tough to beat, and many people actually enjoy visiting Dubai, as it’s an easier destination to “sell” than some other Gulf hubs
- The truth is that while this business class hard product isn’t cutting edge, it’s good enough, and I don’t think many people will book away from the airline due to the seat
Am I disappointed that Emirates keeps installing this seat, while the rest of the industry evolves? Absolutely! Do I think Emirates can get away with offering this seat, and won’t pay any sort of a price for it? Yes, because I think the seat isn’t great, but it is good enough.
To me, what’s much worse is how Emirates introduced its new first class seven years ago, and so far it’s only available on nine planes. Despite the fact that Emirates is now retrofitting 777s with new interiors, the airline has elected not to install the new first class on its jets.
I suspect the reason for that is the same as what we’re seeing in business class — Emirates can get away with continuing to offer its old first class, and the new first class reduces cabin capacity by two seats. But it still raises the question of why Emirates introduced a new first class in the first place?
In fairness, I realize a large part of the issue is the 777X delay, as those planes will get the new first class. But still, the airline has had plenty of time to update its strategy. Speaking of first class, Emirates won’t install the cabin on any of its A350s.
Bottom line
Emirates has revealed the interiors of its Airbus A350s. There are no surprises here, which is to say that the airline is installing its updated 777 business class product on A350s as well. While many airlines are in a race to introduce a super competitive business class, Emirates seems very happy with its place in the market, and is reusing its same old business class seat, with some minor tech upgrades.
On the plus side, I’m excited that Emirates will finally have faster Wi-Fi for the first time, on its A350s. There’s also no denying that the A350 is a pleasure to fly in general, and that Emirates’ interiors are at least becoming increasingly elegant (with the vibe being less “Las Vegas casino in the 1990s”).
What do you make of Emirates’ A350 interiors, and particularly business class?
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