After months of feverish anticipation, the wait is finally over after Emirates officially unveiled its brand new (and first ever) Airbus A350.
At an exclusive event in Dubai on November 27, 2024, the Emirates President Sir Tim Clark along with VIP guests, dignitaries and the media gathered for the new Airbus A350-900’s introduction to the world.
The first of 65 A350s were ordered by Emirates five years ago at the Dubai Airshow in 2019 and then extended further with the purchase of 15 additional jets in 2023.
The new Emirates A350 features three classes for 312 passengers spread between 32 next-generation business class lie-flat seats, 21 premium economy seats and 259 economy class seats.
The next 14 A350s delivered will be configured in the exact same way but the final 50 will include only 298 seats to make space crew rest facilities and enable operations on ultra-long-haul routes.
“Today is an exciting milestone for Emirates as we showcase our first A350 and usher in a new era for our fleet and network growth. This aircraft sets the stage for Emirates to spread its wings farther by offering added range, efficiency and flexibility to our network, enabling us to meet customer demand in new markets and unlock new opportunities in the cities that we serve,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the CEO of Emirates.
According to Emirates, the A350’s introduction will enable the airline to expand into new destinations globally, including mid-sized airports unsuited for larger aircraft like the A380.
First stop for the new A350-900 will be Edinburgh Airport (EDI) on January 3, 2024, followed by Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kuwait, Bahrain, Colombo, Lyon, Muscat and Bologna in the coming months.
Emirates Airbus A350 in detail
The Emirates A350 economy class seat has a new fabric in an “uplifting and elegant” light blue, with “luxurious bronze-colored” armrests while a brand new six-way adjustable headrest will be introduced in early 2025.
Economy class customers will also have an area to stretch their legs and grab a complimentary snack on long-haul flights.
The Emirates A350 business class will feature 32 “luxurious” leather ‘S Lounge seats’, inspired by the Mercedes S Class and brand new wireless charging on a side cocktail table.
“The 1-2-1 seat configuration in the A350 Business Class ensures a very private, exclusive experience where customers can enjoy the latest iteration of the Emirates Experience including lie-flat seats, 4k ice screen, multiple sockets and charging ports including a wireless port, minibar, improved storage, inflight shopping and an abundance of multi award-winning food and beverages served with world class Emirates hospitality, “ said a spokesperson for Emirates.
All 65 incoming Emirates A350s will feature a premium economy section with leather reclining seats, full leg and footrests and adjustable headrests.
Each premium economy passenger will benefit from in-seat charging points, a side cocktail table, a 13.3-inch TV screen, a generously sized pillow and blanket, complimentary amenity kits on select flights and a globally exclusive sparkling wine – Chandon Vintage Brut 2017.
.@HHShkMohd visits #Dubai International Airport to review @Emirates’ latest addition to its fleet, the Airbus A350. pic.twitter.com/Ihb8JIdSW3
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 27, 2024
In the Emirates A350 business class cabin, the configuration is one seat by the left window, two seats in the middle, and one seat by the right window (1-2-1).
In premium economy, the configuration is two seats by the left window, three seats in the middle, and two seats by the right window (2-3-2).
And in economy class, the configuration is three seats by the left window, three seats in the middle and three seats by the right window (3-3-3).
The Emirates A350 will introduce a next-generation version of the ‘ice’ in-flight entertainment system with a suite of features designed to enhance the customer experience.
All Emirates passengers will have access to a cinematic display, which includes 4K and 4K HDR, ultra-responsive touchscreens for seamless navigation and a vast media selection.