Emirates revolution: in Business on Boeing 777s, the hated middle seat (and not only that) disappears
With the now imminent arrival of the first A350-900s in the fleet (talk of August 2024), it was in danger of really becoming the last wheel [...]
Emirates
DXB
United Arab Emirates
With the now imminent arrival of the first A350-900s in the fleet (August 2024 is mentioned), it was in danger of really becoming the last wheel on the wagon.
In this article:
Let's talk about the booth Business Class featured on Emirates' 134 Boeing 777-300ERs, which in Italy fly to Venice, Bologna and to Fiumicino. (one of two daily flights, while the other is operated by Airbus A380). And that, to date, Has a really dated configuration, as well as with obvious limits as to privacy and comfort.
In fact, each row has as many as 7 seats with a 2+3+2 layout, which in fact does not allow direct access to the aisle from as many as three of those seats: the two next to the window and the one in the middle in the center block, which is definitely 'the worst seat in the house', since he has no access to the corridor or even the consolation of sight.
Did you get your flight cancelled, miss your connection, land late?
You could get up to 600€ compensation per person
Well, also in view of the imminent entry into service of the A350s, which in Business will have a 1+2+1 row configuration, the Dubai-based company has announced that "starting in mid-2024" will refurbish the Business installed aboard many of its Boeing 777-300ERs (Emirates also has 10 777-200LRs in its fleet that have better Business anyway with 2+2+2 per row, but that is not part of the company's future anyway.)
There is talk of a evolution of the current seat proposed on board the Airbus giant, but you can bet that, at the very least, there will be door installation, a must for all new business class cabins.
The upgrade will result in a 4-seat row cabin, as on the Airbus A380s (and future A350s), with a 1+2+1 layout. And it will also affect the economy section of the bireactors where, explained Emirates Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim, "new seats will be installed and part of that cabin will be converted to Premium Economy, of which there will be four rows instead of the first five rows of Economy that exist today."
Premium on the 777s, Kazim further explained, "will have 8 seats per row 2+4+2, with row spacing of 40 inches (101cm, ed.) instead of the Economy's 32-34 inches (81-86cm, ed.) And each seat will be equipped with a screen for the 13.3-inch IFE.". In all, according to the company's announcement in November 2021, there should be 53 777-300ERs to receive premium economy (which is instead already being installed on 52 Airbus A380s).
These interventions will significantly change the capacity and distribution of seats per cabin as it will affect a substantial portion of Emirates' 777-300ER fleet.
To date, the Emirates carrier has substantially two configurations on that type of aircraft.: one in three classes With the seats in First being 8 or 6 in the so-called 'Game Changer 1+1+1 installed on only 9 airplanes', Business seats which are 42 in seven rows, and Economy seats which range from 304 to 310; and a two-class (installed on seventeen 777-300ERs) which is a kind of 428-seat 'cattle car' with 42 seats in Business and as many as 386 in Economy.
Certainly, the 1+2+1 arrangement will require more space on board if Emirates wants to maintain the number of Business Class seats that exist today. And in turn, Premium Economy will affect the number of seats available in Economy. What is certain is. the 777-300ER, with the upcoming upgrade, will no longer be the 'unfortunate brother' (First Class aside) of the A380 in Emirates' fleet.
