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New video: We fly the Emirates A380 in all 4 cabins, including the new premium economy

Nov. 02, 2022
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2 min read
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New video: We fly the Emirates A380 in all 4 cabins, including the new premium economy
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Emirates is known for its flashy first class with onboard showers and for raising the bar in business class with its famous A380 onboard bars.

While the economy area is less glamorous, it is still a solid product. It offers large entertainment screens packed with hundreds of channels as well as plenty of food and drink options to pass the time.

Now, an all-new class of service has taken off from Dubai. For the first time, Emirates has launched a premium economy section to bridge the gap between economy and business class.

How does the new product compare to other classes on the same plane, and with all that bling, does Emirates have the world’s best first class? Which class is best for your cash, or points and miles?

We were eager to get on board. What better way to cover the entire experience than to try out all four classes available on its flagship double-decker Airbus A380 at the same time? We filmed our experience just weeks after the airline rolled out the full premium economy offering.

Watch the full video below:

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First class — Nicky Kelvin

We paid: 2,144 pounds sterling (about $2,460) as a cash fare from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) to London, via Dubai International Airport (DXB).

Business class — Liam Spencer

We paid: 72,500 Skywards miles plus 385 pounds ($442) in fees, taxes and surcharges for a one-way redemption ticket from Dubai to London.

Premium economy — Ben Smithson

We paid: 1,622 pounds ($1,861) for a return flight from London to Dubai with the outbound flight in economy.

Economy — Maren Gimnes

We paid: 1,138 pounds ($1,305) for a return flight from London to Dubai.

Related:

Featured image by THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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