How Emirates is Expanding its Premium Economy Cabin to 10 New Cities

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 14, 2026 at 01:34 AM•2 min read

How Emirates is Expanding its Premium Economy Cabin to 10 New Cities

Emirates is expanding its Premium Economy cabin to 10 new global cities by July 2026, featuring 40-inch legroom seats on Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

Key Points

1Emirates is expanding its Premium Economy cabin to 10 new cities, bringing the total to over 84 routes by July 1, 2026.
2The cabin features 19.5-inch wide seats and up to 40 inches of legroom, bridging the gap between Economy and Business Class.
3The rollout utilizes retrofitted Boeing 777s and A380s, alongside new Airbus A350 aircraft deliveries.
4New destinations include Rome, Brisbane, Taipei, and Copenhagen, with services starting from late January 2026.

The global premium travel segment is seeing significant growth. Emirates is meeting this demand with a major expansion. The airline announced its Premium Economy cabin will roll out to 10 new cities. This move dramatically increases the availability of the popular new class.

By July 1, 2026, the new cabin will be available on over 84 routes worldwide. The expansion uses a combination of aircraft. This includes retrofitted Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s. New next-generation A350 aircraft will also feature the cabin. The airline is adding capacity to meet peak summer travel demand.

Enhanced Comfort and Amenities

The long-haul flights enhanced comfort is a key selling point. The Premium Economy seat features a generous pitch of up to 40 inches. Seat width measures 19.5 inches. The seats offer a deep recline and an integrated leg rest. This is designed to bridge the gap between Economy and Business Class.

Passengers receive several extra legroom amenities and services. These include a dedicated check-in counter at Dubai International Airport (DXB). The experience also features an elevated dining experience. Meals are served on fine china, similar to Business Class.

Rollout Schedule and Aircraft

The Emirates new cities rollout begins in phases from January 29. Initial destinations include Cochin and Basra. Later additions include major hubs like Rome, Brisbane, and Taipei. The airline is deploying its new Airbus A350s on routes to Copenhagen, Phuket, and Cape Town. These new aircraft will feature 21 Premium Economy seats.

On other routes, the A350 Boeing 777 retrofits are being utilized. For example, the Barcelona-Mexico City service will use a retrofitted three-class Boeing 777-200LR. This ensures a consistent product across the fleet.

Industry Impact and Market Trends

This expansion highlights a major trend in the premium travel segment. Airlines are investing heavily in this middle cabin. It provides a higher margin product than standard Economy. It also offers a more accessible upgrade than Business Class.

For passengers, it offers a crucial choice. They gain greater comfort on long-haul flights enhanced comfort without the Business Class price. The move solidifies Emirates' position in the competitive market. The airline aims to deliver a consistent, premium experience. For more commercial aviation news and updates, visit flying.flights.