Premium EconomyPhoto credit Emirates Airline

Emirates Airlines has created a new premium economy class of service with first and business class touches, a category so impressive that it stretches the definition of “economy.” This new class of service fits more squarely as a typical business class on most other airlines ― or at least “business light”, if that were a category, for this or any other airline.

The new aesthetic design in Emirates’ premium economy is pulled straight from the first and business class playbook with tone-on-tone neutrals and the signature ghaf tree motif in gold, making this feel much more like what one would expect in business or first class over economy. The wide cream-toned seats are leather (as is the case with first and business class) and come with a foot and leg rest, creating a cradling effect, a larger and fluffier pillow, a wider screen for watching movies and television, and much more overall space to recline comfortably for long hauls. As with first and business class, there’s a separate check-in for premium economy customers in most of the airports, and an exclusive menu, including Emirates’ bubbly Chandon Vintage Brut, only available to premium economy customers.

features both a leg rest and foot rest, making this a luxury experience for economy classPhoto credit Emirates Airline

Premium economy is a more affordable option over first or business. At the time of publishing, Emirates.com listed the cost of a round-trip premium economy seat from JFK to Dubai (Saturday, July 1 to Saturday, July 8) at $3,298. Compare this to an available first-class ticket on the same flights at $21,574.00, business at $8,314.75 and an economy ticket at $1,882.75. The premium economy price is a fraction of first class, and more than half the price of business class while featuring many of the similar comforts. Would a first- or business-class customer feel comfortable in premium economy? In an interview on-board a newly retrofitted A380, Essa Sulaiman, Emirates’ division vice president for USA and Canada, thinks the answer is yes. “The experience is going to greatly impact those regular economy customers who wish to upgrade, but anyone flying in first or business would notice that there is a difference, but would not mind the difference because it will feel familiar.”

More than simply an airline brand, Emirates is well-known as a lifestyle brand. The airline’s many sponsorship activations evoke an association with high-end cultural activities: symphony orchestras in Sydney and San Francisco, jazz and literature festivals in Dubai, globe-hopping teams in sailing and cycling, and prominent tournaments in tennis and golf.

The new premium economy seats on Emirates Airline

Photo credit Emirates airline

All passengers who fly Emirates benefit from the award-winning ICE entertainment system across all cabins with 5,000 channels and movie selections. Emirates’ signature service does well to cater to more than jet-setting adults; their cabin crews love children, notes Sulaiman. “We have special gifts and soft toys we give to children and you will find our crew with a Polaroid camera taking pictures with kids,” he said. “It’s all the about the experience.” This special momentum and attention to customer detail can be felt no matter what class of service you are flying, which is what makes Emirates special.

The new Emirates premium economy is now available on their A380 with service from JFK and SFO to Dubai, and SFO to Dubai. Additional flights from Dubai to Houston and Los Angeles are scheduled to be introduced by July.

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I write about the travel and leisure pursuits of the 1 Percent, and am the publisher of ConwayConfidential.com, exclusively devoted to luxury travel and lifestyle. Prior to joining Forbes, I contributed to The New York Times, Robb Report, In Style magazine, Good Housekeeping, New York Daily News, and New York Post, among many outlets. My first book, “The Beauty BUYble: The best beauty products of 2007,” published by Harper Collins, was an Amazon Best Seller. I also wrote “The Everything Calorie Counting Cookbook” for Simon & Schuster, a book on the hit HBO series True Blood, and two books on the hit AMC series The Walking Dead. The first episodes of my first-person travel series,  “Secret Spots & Hidden Gems,” was produced in partnership with American Airlines. Visit my website and reach me paulaconway.NYC@gmail.com. 

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