Air update

Emirates’ long-awaited new Premium Economy superjumbo cabin has made its global debut on the flagship Heathrow to Dubai route.

The Dubai-based carrier, with the world’s largest fleet of double-decker Airbus A380s, is offering 56 leather seats in a 2-4-2 layout, with passengers getting a pitch of 40in, 19.5in width, 8in cradle recline, a six-way adjustable headrest, plus calf and foot rests.

Entertainment at 38,000ft comes via a 13.3in screen and there are in-seat charging points, a dining table and side drinks table. The cabin is at the front of the main deck, with two toilets. Currently the cabin is only available as an upgrade for selected passengers, with fares from Heathrow to the emirate yet to be announced.

Airline president Sir Tim Clark said: “The Emirates A380 is already one of the most sought-after travel experiences in the skies, and now we’ve made it even better.

‘’While others cut back, Emirates is working hard to restore the products and services that we’ve had to suspend or adjust due to pandemic precautions, and introduce new offerings and enhancements.’’

The cabins are on new 500-passenger A380s delivered from the Airbus factory in Hamburg and may also be retrofitted on the existing 100-plus superjumbo fleet.

Covid has been tough on many carriers flying the four-engined titan of the skies, with up to 90% of the jets grounded by concerns over the cost of flying with low passenger numbers. emirates.com