Emirates' new A380s increasingly coming to Milan, could the announcement of the official Premium Economy landing be close?
For the fourth time in a month, Emirates Premium Economy at Malpensa
Emirates
MXP
United Arab Emirates
A date for the official 'landing' in Italy of premium economy on Emirates' A380s is yet to come. On the other hand, Dubai-based carrier's A380 retrofit is progressing very slowly, considering that only 33 Superjumbos have so far installed the new class of service, of the approximately 65 (out of a total of 116 in the fleet) that are scheduled to receive it.
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When he had announced the introduction of Premium in early 2021, Emirates had set a deadline of mid-2024 for upgrading all designated A380s, while it is still only halfway through the process. It may be, however, that the decision to also renew the interiors of about fifty Boeing 777-300ERs has slowed down the 'work' on the A380s.
The fact is. there are still few destinations served with 4-class Superjumbos, which include 14 First Class suites and 76 Business Class seats on the upper deck, with 56 Premium Economy seats on the main deck, behind which are 338 Economy seats. And neither Rome nor Milan are among them. The commercial policy of Emirates over the past 3 years has been very fair: until it is certain that the route will be operated only with the new cabin, premium economy is not officially put on sale, so that no passenger will be disappointed if he or she switches.
However, By 'sifting through' the list of A380s that have flown between Milan and Dubai over the past month, it turns out that Premium Economy at Malpensa has actually already begun to be available. 'Barbone' Matteo Rainisio had had the 'tip' about it, talking to some crew members during his last flight with Emirates between Dubai and Milan.
And, indeed, Between December 16 and January 15, Premium Economy between Dubai and Milan was there on four occasions: on December 17 and 18 on board A380s with brands A6-EVI and A6-EOI delivered in May 2015 and December 2019, respectively. And on January 6 and 15 aboard A380 A6-EVR and A6-EVE that the company received in August 2016 and December 2021.
They all operated flight EK92, the overnight flight that leaves Malpensa at 9:35 p.m. and lands in Dubai at 6:45 a.m. the next morning. And of course, the 'inbound' flight, that is EK91 which leaves Emirates at 3:40 p.m. and lands in the Lombardy airport at 7:35 p.m. A surprise for some passengers who instead of being seated in economy were given a free upgrade to PE.
On those four occasions, Premium Economy was not on sale, and therefore bookable. It was accessed by a few lucky Economy passengers chosen by Emirates on the basis of status in the Skywards program and based on the Economy rate paid.
But the service was premium economy in the round: that is, the lucky ones who received the upgrade at check-in or boarding not only had access to the cabin with wider seats and more personal space, but also to Premium Economy service, which includes priority check-in and boarding, welcome drink (but no champagne), vanity kit, menu with two options for appetizer and main course and wider choice of wines, all served in china plates and glassware, with cloth napkin and steel cutlery.
As for the seat, the row spacing is 40 inches (101.5 centimeters), the seat width is even 19.5 inches (49.5 centimeters), that is, close to that of most business classes, with a 13.3-inch screen for the IFE. The chair reclines a full 8 inches (20.3 centimeters) and when the backrest is all the way back, with the leg rest and foot rest extended it allows an almost lie-flat position.
Premium Economy is also being installed on a portion of Emirates' Boeing 777-300ERs: as of Jan. 16, there are 14 'triple-sevens' that already have it, in a 4-class configuration with 6 suites si First Class, 38 Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy seats and 256 Economy seats. In the Emirates carrier's plans 55 of the 120 777-300ERs in the fleet are scheduled to be upgraded.
In the case of both A380s and 777s, the obvious criterion followed by Emirates is to upgrade the newest aircraft in its fleet. In the case of the Superjumbos, in fact, all aircraft received from May 209 onward (plus a few more older ones) received Premium Economy and 4-class interiors; in the case of the 777s, most of those received between December 2016 and November 2018 (plus, again, a few more earlier aircraft).
It should then be remembered that Premium Economy is featured by default on all Airbus A350-900s ordered by Emirates (two those delivered so far). In that case, the cabin is 3-class with 32 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats and 259 economy seats (First, on the A350s, there is no).
The A350 and its premium economy will make its debut over Italy next March 15 on the Dubai-Bologna-Dubai flight EK93-EK94. And the 'Barbone' will obviously be on board that inaugural flight. and then tell you all about Emirates' new car and also its Premium Economy.
