Emirates has just unveiled a new premium economy seat, which might just be the best in the world. What’s funny is that Emirates is still pretty new to the premium economy game, as the airline only rolled out the product for the first time in 2022, and is still working on installing it on existing planes.
This seat really does look pretty incredible, as it has electric controls and full height privacy screens. It’s really a reminder of how fast seat technology can improve…
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Emirates ups the game with new premium economy seat
Emirates plans to launch what it claims is the world’s first electrically powered premium economy seat, featuring a full height adjustable privacy screen between every seat (now, that might be a slight stretch, because Japan Airlines has something along similar lines, though this product does have some unique features that are next-level). As it’s described, the new seat combines industry leading innovation with elevated comfort, giving passengers greater control over their personal space.
These seats will have 39″ of pitch and 20″ of width, and will recline into a cradle position, without intruding on the row behind.
The new divider provides a lot of flexibility, since passengers will have the option to raise or lower it using the seat controls, and lock it into position. This is also Emirates’ first fully electrically powered premium economy seat, allowing customers to adjust their preferred seating position at the touch of a button using the integrated passenger control unit.
As you might notice, the seat also features Emirates’ newly introduced U-Dream headrest. The airline is in the process of rolling this out in economy as well, and the idea is that it’s supposed to provide neck and head support, with passengers being able to adjust the “wings” into multiple positions for personalized comfort.
The Dubai-based carrier is also rolling out wireless charging in premium economy for the first time. Additionally, every seat includes USB-C charging, plus a tray table with an integrated phone holder. As before, seats have 13.3″ 4K HDR touchscreen monitors, and newly delivered A350s also have enhanced aircraft camera views.
Just for context, below is what the previous generation of Emirates’ premium economy seat looks like.
I must say, the new premium economy seat looks stellar. I’ve heard great things about Emirates premium economy in general (both in terms of hard and soft product), and the new experience really seems to take it to the next level.
I love how the privacy partition can be raised or lowered (since it’s annoying when it’s fixed in place, for those situations where you’re traveling with someone), and I also think the U-Dream headrest is really innovative. I’d say this raises the bar for premium economy.
The one thing worth noting is that while 39″ of pitch is above average for premium economy, that’s an area where some other carriers are really pushing into new frontiers. For example, EVA Air’s new premium economy has 42″ of pitch.
Emirates’ new premium economy will debut on Airbus A350
So, when can we actually expect Emirates to introduce these new premium economy seats? The plan is for them to be introduced on newly delivered Airbus A350 aircraft. The premium economy cabin on these planes will consist of 28 seats, spread across four rows, in a 2-3-2 configuration.
As of now, there are no official plans to install this product on other Emirates aircraft. This of course gets at the incredible complexity of airlines investing in new seating types.
Technology improves quickly, seats are ordered many years in advance, and it also takes many years to introduce a common product across a large fleet. Emirates is still actively retrofitting both Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s with premium economy seats, and those will continue to get the previous generation premium economy.
That’s obviously not ideal, but it’s the simple reality of how this industry works. I do have to say, no matter how much Emirates tries to invest in its product, the fleet is always struggling with multiple product generations at once.
Bottom line
Emirates has unveiled a new premium economy seat, which I’d argue really sets the new standard for this class of service. It’s electrically powered and has full height privacy screens that are retractable. Between that and Emirates’ new U-Dream headrest, I’d say this is a mighty impressive product.
Expect this to be installed on newly delivered A350s. Unfortunately there are no plans for A380s or 777s to get these seats for the time being, and instead, they’ll keep having the previous generation product installed.
What do you make of Emirates’ new premium economy seat?
Going to give their J seats a run for their money. Only good thing about J on EKs 777 is being woken up with an Espresso Martini.
I'm fascinated that Emirates still resists introducing anything even remotely resembling contemporary design. I understand that eastern European mafia chic was kinda part of their overall design manual / expression but the world has moved on - even among people with zero taste. This kind of design has been out of date for at least two decades.
It looks like the Business Class seat on the Emirates 777s
OMG! That same "diamond" pattern again.
Does no one question why EVERYTHING seems to have this same pattern. 90%+ plane seats, car seats, rugs - just on everything! Go look...its rarely anything else, and if the plane seat does not have it, its the interior walls of the plane, bulkhead, or carpet.
Hotel room carpets, walls, furniture items etc.
Look in your home, I assure you, its everywhere!!!
Why?
Is there no other pattern available?
It is because it provides better support for the material inside and structure. It probably also makes the furniture last longer and take more of a beating.
It's time you do a PE review. Can even be a short 4 hour flight, we will take it!!
We have asked for this before. He will not do it.
Love this site so much, and the flight reviews most of all. I’d like it even more if you started doing premium economy reviews. I have a sense that some airlines are beginning to distinguish themselves with an improved PE product. And for a daytime flight from Europe to the U.S. I’d jump on a good PE seat for the right price. All to say, c’mon Ben, we need your voice on this topic!
I’ve stopped splashing out for J on daytime flights. PE is comfortable, the food is good, and I don’t need to sleep. Overnights I still insist on J. But this new PE seat looks like it might allow me to sleep. If other carriers adopt it I would certainly give it a try.
This looks like a business class seat from way back. Well, maybe from a medium-back, or like regular economy from really way back (sans tech) when fares were regulated and economy cost about the same as premium economy or business now, adjusted for inflation.
Thanks for unlocking the memory. December 2001 or 2002, UA upgraded me from Y to J on their LAX-AKL 747. J was 2-4-2 (Y was 3-4-3) and you all watched the same movie on the shared screen.
Nice seat, but you could say the same about their 77W new First. Problem is the rollout timeline
It still looks like an economy seat to me. For the price of premium economy it often does not seem like a deal. Now if an airline was to introduce an angle flat seat that would be a game changer I would buy.
Out of curiosity, have you ever flown PE before?
At 20” wide, I wonder if these will be 2-3-2? Most other carriers have 2-4-2 with have narrower seats on a350s.
They already are 2-3-2 on the A350. That and the new design is a game changer for PE. In most all cases, B787s are 2-3-2 and A350s are 2-4-2, making the former a better choice IMHO for the single traveler. Take an aisle seat in the middle section and the middle seat person will exit to the aisle on the other side if travelling with that person. Best PE is middle section of 2-2-2 on...
They already are 2-3-2 on the A350. That and the new design is a game changer for PE. In most all cases, B787s are 2-3-2 and A350s are 2-4-2, making the former a better choice IMHO for the single traveler. Take an aisle seat in the middle section and the middle seat person will exit to the aisle on the other side if travelling with that person. Best PE is middle section of 2-2-2 on B767s. To be fair, I should note when I stopped flying international Y, I moved to J and have never been in PE (except decades ago business class, which was really PE).
I can’t wait for the first lie-flat premium economy in a few years. And the first economy comfort with bigger seats and pitch (maybe around 38”?)
TH has a lie-flat premium economy. It's the old (still current on VS 787s for now) seats. They have ex-VS 330s and did not reconfig the jets. I believe they are used on regional Asia flights only
There's also the ex-SQ A330s that AC has used to BOG. The front cabin is sold as premium economy.
Wow, this is even better than what most Business Class seats were 20 years ago! It's like what many have been saying, Business is the new First and Premium Economy is the new Business.
Premium economy may be the most elaborate scam in commercial aviation.
Economy: £599
Premium economy: £2,100
Business: £3,100
First: £4,750
Economy → PE: +251%
PE → Business: +48%
Business → First: +53%
And the marginal spend is what really makes this absurd.
You pay £1,501 extra to move from Economy to Premium Economy.
Then you pay £1,650 extra to move from Business to First.
Almost the same amount of money.
...Premium economy may be the most elaborate scam in commercial aviation.
Economy: £599
Premium economy: £2,100
Business: £3,100
First: £4,750
Economy → PE: +251%
PE → Business: +48%
Business → First: +53%
And the marginal spend is what really makes this absurd.
You pay £1,501 extra to move from Economy to Premium Economy.
Then you pay £1,650 extra to move from Business to First.
Almost the same amount of money.
But compare what those increments actually buy you.
Economy → PE: a wider seat, a bit more legroom, slightly better food and the privilege of remaining fundamentally upright.
Business → First: more space, more privacy, better service, better dining and an entirely different level of personal space and attention.
First may be terrible value at £4,750. But at least its marginal £1,650 buys you a genuinely different experience.
PE’s £1,501 buys you a more expensive version of not being quite as uncomfortable.
There is, admittedly, one group for whom PE can make perfect sense: smaller-built passengers who genuinely find the seat comfortable enough. Fair enough.
But if you’re the bigger-built adult male travelling with your wife and kids, Premium Economy creates a rather different dilemma.
You put them all in PE.
You take one look at the seat, calculate the next eight hours, and quietly upgrade yourself to Business.
You get a flat bed.
They get PE.
And then you spend the entire holiday being reminded that you were the selfish bastard who upgraded himself while leaving the family behind.
Every dinner. Every excursion. Every taxi ride.
“Lovely business-class flight, wasn’t it?”
Enjoy that £1,000 saving.
Economy at least tells you exactly what it is. Business delivers the comfort it promises. First is extravagance, but extravagance is at least the point.
Premium Economy is different.
It takes Economy, adds a few inches, puts it in a blazer and convinces you that you’ve somehow crossed into the world of comfort.
You haven’t.
You’ve just paid £1,501 to be less uncomfortable — unless you’re tall, in which case you’ve discovered the true Premium Economy upgrade: spending the first hour wondering whether £1,000 is enough to justify the divorce.
At these fares, save the money and fly Economy — or find the extra £1,000 and buy Business.
PE is the only cabin where the marketing upgrade is considerably more substantial than the physical one.
Just because something's a bad deal doesn't mean it's a scam
Yes, betterbub, you are right. And, if Emirates is getting this price premium, then people must be paying it. Does anybody expect an airline (or other for-profit business) will ever say, "we could reduce profits by lower the price---let's do it."
More word count doesn't make something better.
If you don't feel like the comment is worth your time to articulate in human words, then it's not worth human time to read your AI comment.
Thanks, ChatGPT.
OPM travel. Some companies cover premium economy across Atlantic but not business.
@betterbub
I agree with you. Scam was hyperbole. It’s still the least sensible value proposition.
@david
Your dyslexia or reading problems are nobody else’s. Same for @DT.
@SBS
Yes these are the fridge cases where PE works. I did mention the family situation but this is also true.
The odd premium economy review would be welcome on this site…
Definitely raises the bar and I say that having tried JL's premium econ and fallen asleep soundly.
I've flown on JL's PE a few times and people don't know and/or understand how good JL's PE is. Its very comfortable for a long-haul flight. Excellent balance between price/value.
Wow this looks nice! Props to Emirates for improving premium econ. Now let's see what other airlines follow with.
This is impressive. Getting close to business class before the advent of flat beds. A bit deeper recline, and it's similar to Virgin America's first class (RIP).
With a xanax, this might be the first non-flat product that I could see myself actually falling asleep in!
Yes! I was thinking the same when I saw the picture. Old-school recliner with all the modern amenities.
Interesting that the TVs will be the exact same size as economy. Though I do think non business/first class seats have just about reached their limit
They'll definitely need a pair of disposable sleeves at every seat for those U-headrests, or else it'll get pretty nasty.
first ever OMAAT premium economy review???? :-P
Hey now... Ben reviewed Norwegian's 789 Premium Economy (recliners) back in 2019 (https://onemileatatime.com/norwegian-premium-review/).
He also reviewed GOL's 737 (https://onemileatatime.com/reviews/gol-premium-economy-737-max/), but I wouldn't call it Premium, more just regular Economy with a middle-seat blocked.
I can't find too many others... perhaps he'd had enough of that! Bah!
Regular economy with the middle seat blocked? That's business ;)
You...poser! Get that Intra-Europe stuff outta here! Bah!
Lie-flat, or it ain't 'Business.' Recliners, or it ain't 'Premium.' Four-class, or it ain't 'First.'
JAL calls theirs fully “motorized” is there a different between electric and motorized from Emirates perspective . Looks really comfortable. I’m curious how much of the recline come from the seat sliding forward, which people have had issues with on other airlines. And I’m surprised that the leg rest doesn’t come up higher like their current seat, unless we just don’t see that in the photos. Definitely nice looking!
Motorized does not have to be electric. Can be internal combustion :-)
So who gets to control the divider between, for example, seats in rows A and B?
Looks like either seat can control it but there is a lock switch. If either seat locks it then it can't be lowered.
Motor = electric
Engine = other than
Looks like a dentists chair
I wouldn't mind that in the slightest, add in the weighted blanket they give you when they take x-rays and I usually fall asleep.
If I recall, the new JAL W seats are the first electric W seats no? Regardless these seats look nice, and getting in/out seems relatively easy? Recently flew QF in W from AKL-BNE and found the seat to be a bit cramped. No idea how people fly that AKL-JFK!
No h/t to hbilbao?! lol j/k
There's still plenty you can do with Premium Economy. If not totally lie-flat, a deep La-Z-Boy recline would be brilliant akin to Business Class before lie-flats became a thing.
In Emirates case, they could've gone with a 15'6" telly along with 40" of pitch which most airlines are headed. Either way, the CMF does look like a luxe Merc.
If you notice the colours in the link below, it...
No h/t to hbilbao?! lol j/k
There's still plenty you can do with Premium Economy. If not totally lie-flat, a deep La-Z-Boy recline would be brilliant akin to Business Class before lie-flats became a thing.
In Emirates case, they could've gone with a 15'6" telly along with 40" of pitch which most airlines are headed. Either way, the CMF does look like a luxe Merc.
If you notice the colours in the link below, it matches the Cathay palette and is based on the former HAECO Eclipse platform.
https://thepointsguy.com/news/is-this-emirates-premium-economy-seat/
It's interesting/sad to see how Y seats are the only thing that keeps getting worse across all airlines :'(
At this point, if this is going to be the new Y+ seat, J seats will definitely have to be fully enclosed flat beds. Furthermore, if F cabins are going to survive, their biggest differentiator might be having BOTH a seat and a separate bed (and 2 TVs ha).
The next trend in First Class in my opinion would be the Peacock suites concept.
I would love to see curtains as the next evolution in Business as there's not much evolution to be had!
Well done, hbilbao, on pointing this EK update in the 'Pilot Dad & Daughter Cross Paths On ATC' from earlier today. No doubt, Ben was probably going to cover it, but you were ahead of the game!
Japan Airlines already has the world's first motorised PEY seat on their A350s, also with full-height privacy screens (and actually looks identical to this, minus the U-Dream headrest).
@ Alvin | YTHK -- Interesting. I'm curious, can you make sense of how the airline comes up with the claim that this is "the world’s first electric Premium Economy seat with full-height privacy screens" then? That's... odd.
I'm reading the press release, and they've been sneaky. Japan Airlines' (also full-height) privacy divider isn't electronically controlled, so Emirates is saying that they have the "world's first electric premium economy seat with full-height privacy screens" in that their privacy screens are electronically controlled, which is indeed a world-first. That's what I'm guessing.
Somewhat sneakily (seemingly), the press release never actually fully says that it has the world's first electronically controlled seat.
I'm reading the press release, and they've been sneaky. Japan Airlines' (also full-height) privacy divider isn't electronically controlled, so Emirates is saying that they have the "world's first electric premium economy seat with full-height privacy screens" in that their privacy screens are electronically controlled, which is indeed a world-first. That's what I'm guessing.
Somewhat sneakily (seemingly), the press release never actually fully says that it has the world's first electronically controlled seat.
Could Thai selling what used to be business class seats as premium economy on some Indian routes could also be classed as electric premium economy seats?
I guess that one also doesn't have an electronically controlled privacy divider (though in a different way)...