Emirates Confirms Premium Economy Coming to the A380 in 2020
Emirates president Sir Tim Clark has confirmed some pretty exciting news for the airline's hard product. On the company's podcast, Clark confirmed rumors that had been swirling for years that Emirates would install premium economy seats on its aircraft.
When asked by the podcast's host if Premium Economy had a future on Emirates, Clark responded:
"It remains a hot topic in [the] company. We have already specced out the airplanes, we know exactly what we are going to do, where we are going to place these seats... which zones and how we are going to design the product."
Then, Clark confirmed that its new Airbus A380s, the ones that actually saved the jumbo jet program entirely, will be getting the new class of service.
"I think we will start certainly [with] the airplanes we have ordered, the latest A380s, the first six of which come in 2020, we will be installing premium economy into those," Clark said. "And it will be an Emirates Premium Economy, so it will be special."
A class in-between economy and business, premium economy is becoming more and more widespread, especially on international long-haul flights. Benefits include bigger seats with more recline, better service and increased mileage earning.
Emirates must feel that there's some sort of market for this type of customer in its business — but Clark still seemed leery when stating he "just wants to make absolutely sure that the math stacks up."
Emirates A380s will likely have four classes of service — first, business, premium economy and economy, a change from the normal two or three cabin layout. Some Emirates aircraft like the 777-200LR fly with just two classes, business and economy.
Details regarding what the seat will look like, how many seats there will be and other benefits that may come when purchasing a premium economy ticket are still unclear. But if it's anything like Emirates products, it will likely be among the best in class. Emirates currently rules the first class market along with Singapore Airlines.
Emirates has a solid business product and its economy is known as one of the better options out there with generous pitch and top-of-the line IFE.
H/T: Live From a Lounge
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