On 3 September 2026, Emirates unveiled from Dubai the world’s first electrically operated Premium Economy seat, featuring a privacy screen that adjusts across the full height of the seat. The innovation makes its debut on the airline’s newly delivered Airbus A350 aircraft, in a reconfigured 28-seat cabin.
The announcement forms part of Emirates’ ongoing upmarket strategy for its Premium Economy segment, launched in 2022 and progressively rolled out across all markets served by the Airbus A350. For players in premium air travel, this technical advance repositions the intermediate class as a fully-fledged product in its own right, sitting midway between economy comfort and Business Class-style service.
A full-height privacy screen, a world first
Configured in a 2-3-2 layout, the Premium Economy cabin on Emirates’ A350 features seats 20 inches (50.8cm) wide, with pitch reaching up to 39 inches (99cm). The electric privacy divider extends across the full height of the seat, a feature previously unseen in Premium Economy cabins anywhere in the world.
Passengers operate the divider directly from the seat controls and can lock it in position, creating an isolated personal space for rest, dining or work during the flight. The new seat also marks Emirates’ first fully electric model designed for its Premium Economy cabin, featuring a Passenger Control Unit with dedicated settings, including a lounge mode and a dining mode.
Rethought ergonomics and comfort
Cabin comfort is also built around the U-Dream headrest, produced by Safran Seats and widely praised by Emirates customers. Upholstered in leather, the redesigned headrest offers enhanced neck and head support, with adjustable wings that can be set to several positions. A manually deployable leather footrest completes the seat, helping to reduce fatigue on long-haul flights.
The seats recline into a cradle position without encroaching on the space of the row behind, allowing passengers to rest comfortably without inconveniencing their neighbours.
Onboard connectivity and entertainment
Wireless charging also makes its debut in Emirates’ Premium Economy cabin for the first time, alongside USB-C ports available at every seat. The meal tray tablet now includes a smartphone holder, turning personal devices into a second screen during meals or entertainment sessions.
The multi-award-winning ice entertainment system is now displayed on a 13.3-inch 4K HDR touchscreen. On the new Airbus A350s, passengers also benefit from enhanced camera views, with two new left- and right-side perspectives added to the existing forward- and descent-view cameras.
A dining offer inspired by Business Class
Premium Economy dining borrows certain Business Class touches: fine Royal Doulton porcelain, linen napkins and Robert Welch stainless steel cutlery, for regional menus crafted by Emirates’ chefs. The drinks selection includes Chandon Vintage Brut 2021, an Australian sparkling wine reserved exclusively for Emirates’ Premium Economy customers worldwide.
From September, certain destinations will also offer a Chablis Premier Cru Jean-Marc Brocard 2024 and a La Parde de Haut-Bailly 2014, while October will mark a first for the airline with the Wiston Estate Brut NV, the first English sparkling wine served by Emirates, exclusively in Premium Economy on UK routes. This programme forms part of a cumulative investment of over €880 million made by the airline in its wine portfolio since 2006.1
Responsible amenity kits and onboard wellbeing
On long-haul flights, Premium Economy passengers receive reusable amenity kits designed in partnership with United for Wildlife. Made from bio-based materials, including cactus-based leather alternatives, the kits highlight four threatened natural habitats and introduce Aveda skincare products to Premium Economy for the first time. Each kit also includes socks, a sleep mask, earplugs and a dental kit.
Continuous growth since 2022
Since launching its Premium Economy cabin in 2022, Emirates has progressively rolled out the product across its entire fleet, now available on all markets served by the Airbus A350. The cabin draws directly on the airline’s Business Class experience and has received multiple accolades, including “Best Premium Economy Class” at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards in 2024 and 2025, as well as “Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class” at the 2025 ULTRAs Awards.
An accelerating shift between classes
As we reported in La Tribune de l’Hôtellerie, the shift between airline travel classes appears to be accelerating. Premium Economy is progressively encroaching on Business Class territory, which in turn is eating into the preserve of First Class. First Class, in steady decline at most legacy carriers, is becoming increasingly rare, giving way to two distinct but converging dynamics.
On one hand, business aviation is capturing part of this high-spending clientele through platforms such as FXAIR, Global Jet and Flexjet, which are democratising access to private jets via on-demand charter offers, flight cards or fractional ownership. On the other, innovative operators such as La Compagnie are offering, on high-traffic routes, flights entirely dedicated to a “first class”-style experience at controlled prices, with capacity deliberately limited to 76 passengers.
In this context, Emirates’ investment in an electric Premium Economy seat with a full-height privacy screen takes on additional strategic significance: it aims to strengthen the intermediate segment as the boundary between travel classes becomes increasingly porous, and as traditional high-spending classes see part of their clientele turn towards more flexible or more exclusive alternatives.
1. Conversion based on an investment of over US$1 billion since 2006, converted to euros at the EUR/USD exchange rate of 1.1389 (closing rate, 14 July 2026).
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Emirates unveils the world’s first electric Premium Economy seat
World-first full-height electric privacy screen, debuting on newly delivered Airbus A350 aircraft
28-seat Premium Economy cabin in a 2-3-2 configuration, seats 20″ wide with up to 39″ pitch
Wireless charging introduced to Premium Economy for the first time, alongside USB-C ports
New Business Class-inspired dining on Royal Doulton china, plus an exclusive wine programme backed by over US$1 billion invested since 2006
Reusable amenity kits made with bio-based materials, developed with United for Wildlife, now featuring Aveda skincare
Premium Economy launched in 2022 and now available across all A350-served markets
