Emirates Takes Premium Economy Up a Level With New Electric Seat
September 4, 2026 Team Contributor
Emirates is raising the bar for Premium Economy with a new Airbus A350 seat designed to give passengers greater privacy and comfort in the air. The airline has unveiled a new seat featuring an electrically adjustable, full-height privacy screen that creates a more secluded space between neighbouring passengers.
The screen can be raised or lowered at the touch of a button and locked into position. For travellers who want more privacy while eating, working or relaxing, it is one of the most noticeable changes to Emirates’ Premium Economy cabin.
The new seat is part of Emirates’ push to make Premium Economy feel more like a premium travel experience. Travellers can also read about the airline’s recent changes to booking flexibility in this Emirates flexible booking update.
A 28-seat Premium Economy cabin
Emirates’ new A350 Premium Economy cabin will feature 28 seats in a spacious 2-3-2 configuration. Each seat offers 20 inches of width and up to 39 inches of pitch, giving passengers more room to settle in and enjoy a refined onboard experience.
The seat reclines into a cradle position, designed to keep the movement within the passenger’s own space rather than pushing into the row behind. An integrated Passenger Control Unit lets travellers adjust the seat electronically, with dedicated lounge and meal settings.
Emirates is also adding the U-Dream leather headrest from Safran Seats, featuring adjustable wings that offer a more supportive and comfortable place to rest the head and neck. A leather footrest adds another touch of comfort, rounding out the more refined Premium Economy experience.
Wireless charging and a 4K screen
The cabin also welcomes a refined set of in-seat comforts. Passengers will have wireless charging and USB-C power within easy reach, while a built-in phone holder in the tray table keeps personal devices neatly positioned during the flight.
For entertainment, passengers will have access to a 13.3-inch 4K HDR touchscreen. Newly delivered A350s will also feature additional exterior camera views, including left- and right-facing views alongside the existing forward and downward perspectives.
Emirates says the new privacy feature is a world first for Premium Economy. Airways notes that Japan Airlines had already introduced electrically operated Premium Economy reclining, but its privacy divider was not described as electrically adjustable.
The new seat is only for new A350s
Emirates’ latest Premium Economy design will debut exclusively aboard newly delivered Airbus A350 aircraft. The September 3 announcement offered no indication of a retrofit for A350s already flying, or whether the elevated cabin experience will eventually reach the airline’s A380 and Boeing 777 fleets.
The move builds on Emirates’ Premium Economy offering, first introduced in 2022. With the arrival of new A350 aircraft, the latest cabin elevates the experience further, giving passengers an upscaled and private option between Economy and Business Class.
The cabin upgrade comes as airlines continue to invest in long-haul products and expand their international networks. United Airlines’ global expansion plans for 2027 offer another example of how carriers are preparing for better international travel demand.
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