Dubai – Emirates is deepening its investment in premium travel with the expansion of its Premium Economy product to four additional destinations across the Middle East and West Asia, underscoring the airline’s confidence in rising demand for higher-end experiences.
Beginning in late October, passengers flying to Amman, Mumbai, Muscat, and Bahrain will have access to the airline’s latest cabins on a mix of new Airbus A350s, retrofitted Airbus A380s, and Boeing 777s. The move reflects Emirates’ strategy to offer a more consistent product across its network and build on the strong reception its Premium Economy has seen since launch.
Upgraded Schedules Begin in October
From October 26, 2025, Emirates will introduce a four-class Airbus A380 with refreshed interiors, including Premium Economy, on its EK903/904 flights between Dubai and Amman. The aircraft upgrade will cover both daily services on the route.
The same day, Mumbai will see a retrofitted Boeing 777 introduced on EK504/505, expanding the Premium Economy option across 22 weekly flights.
Two days later, on October 30, Muscat will receive the Airbus A350 on EK862/863 every Thursday and Saturday, meaning Premium Economy will be available on all nine weekly flights to Oman.
In Bahrain, the rollout will come slightly later. Starting December 4, a retrofitted Boeing 777 will operate EK833/834 services every Thursday. Once fully in place, Emirates confirmed that all Bahrain flights will feature its upgraded cabins, including Premium Economy and refreshed Business Class.
Meeting Rising Demand for Premium Travel
The expansion reflects a clear market trend: travellers are increasingly willing to pay for comfort on short- and long-haul journeys alike. Emirates’ Premium Economy has proven popular with both leisure and business travellers seeking more space and elevated service without the cost of Business Class.
By winter 2025, the airline said it will serve 68 cities with aircraft equipped with Premium Economy, with 36 destinations exclusively offering the cabin. That translates to more than 635 weekly flights and over 2 million Premium Economy seats available annually by year’s end. Currently, Emirates operates with about 1.8 million seats in the segment.
Historic Retrofit Program
The Dubai-based carrier is in the midst of one of the most ambitious retrofit programs in aviation. In total, 219 aircraft are slated for upgrades—110 Airbus A380s and 109 Boeing 777s—at a pace of one aircraft every three weeks.
So far, 67 aircraft have been completed, each equipped with modern interiors, enhanced seating, and updated inflight entertainment systems. Emirates has also introduced nine brand-new Airbus A350s into its fleet, which now serve 15 destinations worldwide.
The scale of the program underlines the airline’s long-term bet on the strength of premium travel, particularly in connecting traffic through its Dubai hub.
Passenger Experience in Focus
For travellers, the investment means more consistency in the onboard product, whether flying regionally within the Gulf or connecting to long-haul markets in Europe, Asia, or the Americas. Premium Economy seats feature additional legroom, wider seat designs, and upgraded dining, while refreshed Business Class cabins include modern seating configurations and enhanced privacy.
The airline emphasized that across its retrofitted A380s, Boeing 777s, and new A350s, passengers can expect “spacious seating, enhanced inflight entertainment, and superior service.”
Strategic Expansion
The expansion to Amman, Mumbai, Muscat, and Bahrain is particularly notable because of their role as regional and business travel hubs. Each city maintains strong connectivity with Dubai, making them logical additions as Emirates scales its premium product.
The move also positions the airline to capture premium demand across short-haul sectors, a market segment often overlooked by international carriers but increasingly important for customer retention.
Looking Ahead
For passengers, the changes mean more opportunities to book Emirates’ award-winning cabins across popular routes in the region. For the airline, it strengthens its positioning as a leader in premium air travel at a time when competitors are selectively adding similar offerings.
As Emirates continues its retrofit program and rolls out more Airbus A350s, its stated goal remains clear: to ensure a world-class travel experience across its global network, whether for business or leisure.
With an expanding fleet, refreshed interiors, and millions of Premium Economy seats in circulation by the end of 2025, the Dubai carrier is setting the pace in the Middle East and beyond.
