Privacy, legroom and 4K screens: How Emirates’ Premium Economy stacks up.
Dubai: Emirates has unveiled a new Premium Economy seat featuring a full-height privacy screen that can be raised or lowered at the touch of a button, offering passengers greater privacy in a cabin where such features are uncommon.
The new seat, set to debut on Emirates’ newly delivered Airbus A350 aircraft, is being described by the airline as the world’s first electrically powered Premium Economy seat with a full-height adjustable privacy screen.
The divider rises to the full height of the seat and can be adjusted using the seat controls, giving passengers greater control over their personal space.
What is new?
The new Emirates Premium Economy cabin on the A350 features just 28 seats arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration. Each seat is 20 inches wide and offers up to 39 inches of pitch, providing additional legroom.
The seat reclines into a cradle position without encroaching on the space of passengers in the row behind, allowing travellers to relax or sleep while preserving their neighbours’ personal space.
The standout feature is the electrically operated privacy divider, which can be raised or lowered at the touch of a button.
Passengers can raise or lower the divider and lock it in place depending on whether they want to work, eat, watch a film or simply enjoy greater privacy from the passenger beside them. The seat is also electrically powered, with controls offering dedicated settings such as “lounge mode” and “meal mode”.
This sets the new product apart from conventional Premium Economy seats, where privacy is typically provided through cabin layouts, winged headrests or smaller dividers.
More comfort and tech
The redesigned leather U-Dream headrest, supplied by Safran Seats, features adjustable wings designed to provide greater support for the head and neck.
Emirates is also introducing wireless charging in Premium Economy for the first time, alongside USB-C charging and a built-in phone holder in the tray table.
Passengers can watch content on a 13.3-inch 4K HDR touchscreen, while those travelling on the A350 will also have access to additional external camera views of the aircraft.
On long-haul flights, reusable amenity kits made with bio-based materials will include Aveda skincare products, socks, eyeshades, earplugs and a dental kit.
Emirates launched its Premium Economy cabin in 2022 and has since expanded it across its fleet. The cabin is now available on all routes operated by its A350 aircraft.
How Emirates compares
Premium Economy has evolved beyond simply offering passengers a larger economy seat. Several international airlines serving the Gulf have invested heavily in the cabin, with differences increasingly apparent in seat design, privacy, technology and onboard service.
Here’s how Emirates’ new Premium Economy product compares with some of the better-known cabins in the market.
Lufthansa: Hard-shell privacy
Lufthansa has taken a different technical approach with its Allegris Premium Economy seat. The seat features a fixed hard-shell design and a 39-inch pitch, compared with around 38 inches on Lufthansa’s older Premium Economy product.
When a passenger reclines, the seat moves forward within its shell rather than pushing the seatback into the space behind.
Allegris also features a 15.6-inch 4K entertainment screen, wireless charging and power outlets, individual reading lights and active noise-cancelling headphones. Other features include an armrest-mounted cocktail table, sustainable amenity kits and complimentary slippers.
Virgin Atlantic: Service-led Premium
Virgin Atlantic positions its Premium cabin as a middle ground between Economy and Upper Class, combining wider leather seats with upgraded dining and priority airport services.
Seat specifications vary by aircraft, with configurations including 2-3-2 and 2-4-2. Pitch is around 38 inches, while seat width ranges from approximately 18.5 to 21 inches. Passengers get adjustable headrests and footrests, while newer aircraft feature larger high-definition screens, power outlets, USB connectivity and Bluetooth headphone pairing.
The ground experience is also part of the offering, with dedicated check-in desks, increased baggage allowances, priority boarding and a welcome drink.
Cathay Pacific: Space and practical touches
Cathay Pacific’s Premium Economy cabin places a strong emphasis on space and practical comfort.
Depending on the aircraft, seats typically offer around 21 inches of width and 40 inches of pitch. Features include adjustable winged headrests, calf or footrests and a generous recline.
Newer retrofitted cabins may also feature privacy wings and built-in reading lights. Passengers have access to individual power and USB ports, water-bottle storage and device holders.
The onboard service includes upgraded meals, complimentary wine, a welcome drink and a hot towel. On long-haul flights, passengers may also receive an amenity kit, blanket, pillow and noise-cancelling headphones.
British Airways: A separate cabin
British Airways calls its Premium Economy product World Traveller Plus.
It is a separate, smaller cabin offering wider seats, additional legroom and upgraded dining. Seat pitch is around 38 inches, compared with approximately 31 inches in Economy, while seats can feature adjustable headrests and leg or calf rests depending on the aircraft.
Passengers also receive a higher baggage allowance, priority boarding and upgraded meals served on proper plates with metal cutlery. The package also includes complimentary bar service and amenity kits.
Singapore Airlines: Dining and personal space
Singapore Airlines offers Premium Economy across its Airbus A350, Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 fleets.
The cabin uses a 2-4-2 configuration, with 38 inches of seat pitch and 19.5 inches of seat width. Seats recline to 125 degrees and feature adjustable headrests, swing-out calf rests and footrests, as well as a personal side console, USB-A ports, universal power outlets and adjustable reading lights.
Singapore Airlines also offers its Book the Cook service in Premium Economy, allowing passengers to pre-select from a range of main courses before departure.
Qantas: Unusually wide seats
Qantas Premium Economy uses a 2-3-2 configuration on its Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 aircraft.
Seats offer between 38 and 40 inches of pitch and are listed at around 22.8 inches wide, with an integrated leg and footrest. Passengers also get a 13-inch HD entertainment screen, USB ports and universal AC power.
The cabin includes upgraded dining, dedicated snack bars and amenity kits containing essentials such as an eye mask, earplugs and socks.
Other airlines offering Premium Economy cabins include Japan Airlines, Air New Zealand, Air France and Delta Air Lines.
So, what makes Emirates different?
The numbers suggest Emirates is not necessarily competing with rivals simply by offering the most legroom or the widest seat.
Instead, its new Premium Economy product brings together a 20-inch-wide seat, up to 39 inches of pitch, electric seat adjustment, a full-height privacy screen, wireless charging, a 4K entertainment display and cradle-style recline in a single cabin offering.
The new Emirates Premium Economy seat is therefore not designed to beat every competitor on seat width or legroom. Its appeal is more focused: giving passengers something Premium Economy has traditionally offered only in limited form — greater control over their personal space.
