I read the article posted earlier today re Emirates plans for Premium Economy - it sounds impressive! Clearly they've taken on board a lot of public feedback about what others have introduced (most notably Qantas) - extra legroom AND a PE bathroom!
What does the community think? Would it be enough to get you to experiment or switch?
I'm not expecting much from Emirates. Despite all the hype, they've never delivered a revolutionary product in their economy and business cabins.
Their 777 business class has only recently been changed to 2-2-2 (from 2-3-2). This seems acceptable for Emirates whilst other airlines are slammed for failing to offer direct aisle access. Their A380 business product is far from best in class. They've also become the first to offer a Business Saver fare without lounge access.
In economy, they were one of the first airlines to introduce 3-4-3 seating in economy on a 777.
They've clearly stated that their new Premium Economy won't cannibalise their Business Class customer base. So despite promises of a revolutionary seat, their prior form and existing products all but guarantee it's going to disappoint.
I suspect it will be one of the better Premium Economy seats. Certainly the photos of possible designs make it look better than what Qantas offers. Not reclining into the space behind would be a big plus.
I suspect it will be one of the better Premium Economy seats. Certainly the photos of possible designs make it look better than what Qantas offers. Not reclining into the space behind would be a big plus.
If the seat does not recline into the space behind, then all of the rotation of the seat back is by moving the seat base forward = reduced legroom. It is clear that 38 inch pitch requires compromises somewhere in objectives in providing a better than Y seat. For me, legroom is a priority.
I tend to think that the latest premium economy is either the best or among the very best previous economy, purely because an airline can learn from others. I would say that as a seat, the Qantas Boeing 787 premium economy seat is pretty good except for that awful legrest contraption, and of course Qantas not giving it enough legroom but that's not the fault of the seat by design.
On a long flight you can do the most amazing things with meals, you can have a massive HD video screen, you can offer some handy storage nooks., but in the end premium economy is about space and sleep. If you don't have enough legroom, and the seat in 'sleep mode' isn't comfortable enough regardless of whether it's a recliner or a 'sleeperette' or whatever, then this won't be the world's best premium economy. But if EK can nail that 'space and sleep' offering then this could blast everybody out of the water.
PE is a complicated one for airlines to get the right balance. As Emirates have said, it’s got to be an upgrade of economy, not a downgrade of business.
The business case will always lose if it cannibalises their business revenue.
So can’t say I’d be getting too excited, I don’t see it being drastically different to what’s already available.
I'm not expecting much from Emirates. Despite all the hype, they've never delivered a revolutionary product in their economy and business cabins.
Their 777 business class has only recently been changed to 2-2-2 (from 2-3-2). This seems acceptable for Emirates whilst other airlines are slammed for failing to offer direct aisle access. Their A380 business product is far from best in class. They've also become the first to offer a Business Saver fare without lounge access.
In economy, they were one of the first airlines to introduce 3-4-3 seating in economy on a 777.
They've clearly stated that their new Premium Economy won't cannibalise their Business Class customer base. So despite promises of a revolutionary seat, their prior form and existing products all but guarantee it's going to disappoint.
Really ? their 380 in J with the bar &a great seat was a pioneer
I don't see how 18.5 inch seat width in J was ever a pioneer
A leap ahead would be to match/better the 41-42" pitch seen on Air NZ and Virgin Australia. Fixed shell premium economy is seen on JAL, with similar pitch to NZ/VA. 38" pitch is standard, and sliding base with that pitch is going to be tight (Air NZ tried to be revolutionary with the Spaceseat in a similar way, but had to go for 42" pitch to make it comfortable - and then abandoned the concept altogether because of the weight of the design). Setting aside the Japanese carriers (which include lounge access with PE fares), EK looks like it's going to be an evolution of most of the others of around 38", so it is not going to be special - but it will obviously look like a leap up from 10 abreast in Y on 777s and 9 on forthcoming 787s. The standard is set at 41-42", go less than that and you're not the best, you're just average given the compromises on recline and space.
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Emirates premium economy: are they benefiting from being a laggard?
markpk
markpk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Nov 2013
Total posts 456
I read the article posted earlier today re Emirates plans for Premium Economy - it sounds impressive! Clearly they've taken on board a lot of public feedback about what others have introduced (most notably Qantas) - extra legroom AND a PE bathroom!
What does the community think? Would it be enough to get you to experiment or switch?
X
X
British Airways - Executive Club
Member since 24 Jan 2012
Total posts 87
I'm not expecting much from Emirates. Despite all the hype, they've never delivered a revolutionary product in their economy and business cabins.
John Phelan
John Phelan
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Oct 2011
Total posts 261
I suspect it will be one of the better Premium Economy seats. Certainly the photos of possible designs make it look better than what Qantas offers. Not reclining into the space behind would be a big plus.
GregXL
GregXL
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 26 May 2014
Total posts 320
I suspect it will be one of the better Premium Economy seats. Certainly the photos of possible designs make it look better than what Qantas offers. Not reclining into the space behind would be a big plus.
If the seat does not recline into the space behind, then all of the rotation of the seat back is by moving the seat base forward = reduced legroom. It is clear that 38 inch pitch requires compromises somewhere in objectives in providing a better than Y seat. For me, legroom is a priority.
Kevin Cheung
Kevin Cheung
Member since 13 Sep 2016
Total posts 8
SteveCF
SteveCF
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 15 Aug 2012
Total posts 67
PE is a complicated one for airlines to get the right balance. As Emirates have said, it’s got to be an upgrade of economy, not a downgrade of business.
elchriss0
elchriss0
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 13 Jan 2015
Total posts 80
Really ? their 380 in J with the bar &a great seat was a pioneer
I don't see how 18.5 inch seat width in J was ever a pioneer
Libertyscott
Libertyscott
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Aug 2011
Total posts 19
A leap ahead would be to match/better the 41-42" pitch seen on Air NZ and Virgin Australia. Fixed shell premium economy is seen on JAL, with similar pitch to NZ/VA. 38" pitch is standard, and sliding base with that pitch is going to be tight (Air NZ tried to be revolutionary with the Spaceseat in a similar way, but had to go for 42" pitch to make it comfortable - and then abandoned the concept altogether because of the weight of the design). Setting aside the Japanese carriers (which include lounge access with PE fares), EK looks like it's going to be an evolution of most of the others of around 38", so it is not going to be special - but it will obviously look like a leap up from 10 abreast in Y on 777s and 9 on forthcoming 787s. The standard is set at 41-42", go less than that and you're not the best, you're just average given the compromises on recline and space.