AFRICAN ROUTES AMONG THE FIRST TO GET THE NEW CABIN

Emirates has introduced a new electrically powered Premium Economy seat with a full-height, adjustable privacy screen between every seat, a feature the airline says is the first of its kind in a Premium Economy cabin. The seat debuts on newly delivered Airbus A350 aircraft, installed in a 2-3-2 configuration with 28 seats, each 20 inches wide with a seat pitch of up to 39 inches, and reclining into a cradle position without intruding on the row behind.

The A350’s Premium Economy cabin is now flying daily between Dubai and Entebbe, Tunis and Cape Town, giving customers on those routes direct access to the new product, while travellers connecting from other African points through Dubai can reach further A350-operated destinations in Asia, Europe and Australia.

HOW THE PRIVACY SCREEN WORKS

Customers raise or lower the divider using the seat controls and can lock it in position. The seat is Emirates’ first fully electric Premium Economy seat, with position adjustment via an integrated Passenger Control Unit that includes preset lounge and meal modes. Other additions include a redesigned leather headrest developed with Safran Seats, a manually deployable leather footrest, wireless device charging (introduced to Premium Economy for the first time), USB-C charging at every seat, a tray table with an integrated phone holder, a 13.3-inch 4K HDR touchscreen for inflight entertainment, and, on the newest A350s, additional left and right exterior cameras alongside the existing forward and downward views.

PART OF A WIDER PRIVACY TREND

The move reflects a broader pattern across the industry of Premium Economy cabins borrowing privacy features once reserved for Business Class, as carriers look for ways to justify the fare premium over Economy on long-haul routes. Emirates has expanded Premium Economy across its A350 fleet since introducing the cabin in 2022, and the product has previously won Best Premium Economy Class at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards in 2024 and 2025 and Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class at the 2025 ULTRAs Awards.