What to expect flying in Emirates' new premium economy cabin

After months of flying in soft launch, Emirates airline’s new premium economy cabins are now officially in service.

Flight number EK001 departed Dubai for Heathrow just after 7.45am on Monday as the first Emirates A380 flight on which travellers were able to book first, business, premium economy and economy seats.

Travellers flying Emirates premium economy have a dedicated check-in desk at Dubai International Airport. Photo: Emirates

The flight marked the launch of the new cabin class on Emirates' high-traffic superjumbos to London, Paris and Sydney. The service will be introduced on A380 flights to Christchurch from December.

A first look inside Emirates' new premium economy cabins: from leather seats to larger screens

With capacity for 56 passengers, the newest cabin class has a two-four-two configuration, making it ideal for couples or families of four who want to sit together.

Passengers upgrading from economy will be able to check in at a dedicated desk at Dubai International Airport, and will find their seats at the front of the double-decker aircraft.

Inspired by the airline's business cabins, premium economy has leather seats with detailed wood panelling and passengers are offered a hot towel and a welcome drink directly after boarding.

A passengers relaxes in the new Emirates premium economy cabin. Chris Whiteoak / The National

There’s also a separate menu for travellers to choose meals from and these are served on chinaware and with stainless-steel cutlery for a more premium dining service.

Perhaps the biggest draw for passengers upgrading, especially those flying long-haul to Sydney, will be the wider seats that come with extra legroom.

Each seat has a pitch of up to 40 inches plus an eight-inch recline that means they can be adjusted into a cradle position. Calf rests, footrests and a six-way adjustable headrest will also help passengers get as comfortable as possible in the air. There’s also a handy cocktail table for drinks so passengers don’t need to put tray tables down when not dining.

An Emirates crew member performs a safety briefing in the premium economy cabin of the A380. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Travellers seated in the new cabin will have a personal 13.3-inch seat-back screen, one of the largest in this cabin class, for in-flight entertainment.

Fares for premium economy seats are much more affordable than business-class fares.

For example, on flight EK075 on August 19 from Dubai to Paris, economy tickets start from Dh3,930, with an upgrade to premium economy starting from Dh560. The cheapest business-class tickets on the same flight are more than Dh8,000 extra.

Emirates plans to introduce a smaller premium economy cabin on select Boeing 777 jets. Seating up to 24 passengers, the new cabin will be located between business and economy.

Etihad’s flagship A350 jet makes inaugural flight to the US — in pictures

Etihad's Sustainble50 lands in New York, marking the launch of A350 flights from Abu Dhabi to the US. All photos: Etihad Airways

The Sustainable50 is the first of five A350s destined for the Abu Dhabi airline.

The ultra-efficient jet is part of the airline industry's programme working to reduce carbon emissions and make flying more sustainable.

Etihad's new A350-100 has a dynamic LED lighting system with more than 16 million colours.

Etihad's new business class cabin on the new A350-1000.

Etihad's A350 has winglet-type devices to reduce aerodynamic drag.

'The National' was onboard Etihad's inaugural A350-1000 flight to Paris.

The aircraft has a custom livery that pays tribute to the UAE's golden jubilee and Etihad's commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips

Rating: 2/5

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Sole survivors

Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.

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The specs: 2018 Ford Mustang GT

Price, base / as tested: Dh204,750 / Dh241,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque: 569Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.3L / 100km

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The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet

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FIGHT CARD

Welterweight Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Tohir Zhuraev (TJK)

Catchweight 75kg Leandro Martins (BRA) v Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)

Flyweight Corinne Laframboise (CAN) v Manon Fiorot (FRA)

Featherweight Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB)

Lightweight Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) v Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG)

Featherweight Yousef Al Housani (UAE) v Mohamed Arsharq Ali (SLA)

Catchweight 69kg Jung Han-gook (KOR) v Elias Boudegzdame (ALG)

Catchweight 71kg Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) v Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)

Featherweight title Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)

Lightweight title Bruno Machado (BRA) v Mike Santiago (USA)

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German intelligence warnings

2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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Ain Dubai in numbers

126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure

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SERIE A FIXTURES

All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Saturday
Roma v Udinese (5pm)
SPAL v Napoli (8pm)
Juventus v Torino (10.45pm)

Sunday
Sampdoria v AC Milan (2.30pm)
Inter Milan v Genoa (5pm)
Crotone v Benevento (5pm)
Verona v Lazio (5pm)
Cagliari v Chievo (5pm)
Sassuolo v Bologna (8pm)
Fiorentina v Atalanta (10.45pm)