Emirates will double its premium economy seats to Melbourne, Australia, after the service exceeded expectations following its introduction in April 2023.
From February 1, 2024, Emirates will increase the premium economy service between Melbourne and Dubai on flights EK408 and EK409.
Premium economy seating has been available on the daily EK406 and EK407 services for just under a year but with 80% load factors Emirates believes there is room for more growth.
The latest development means Emirates now offers close to 800 weekly premium economy seats between Melbourne and its Dubai hub.
The added premium economy service means that the airline will be serving Australia with close to 3,200 seats, including two daily services from Sydney and two daily services from Melbourne.
The introduction of a premium economy service to Sydney in August 2022 and then Melbourne the following year has gone so well that Emirates forecasts more than 90,000 passengers flying to and from Australia will opt for the new cabin experience.
“As one of the most important markets in our global network, we are committed to offering Australians not only greater connectivity but also more choice and differentiated offerings,” Barry Brown, Divisional Vice President Australasia at Emirates, said. “With the extraordinary success of the premium economy cabin so far in Australia, the additional premium economy service in Melbourne will give more customers the opportunity to experience our unique premium products.”
The introduction of the additional premium economy service to Melbourne is part of Emirates’ multi-million dollar retrofit program.
A total of 126 aircraft, including 67 A380s and 53 Boeing 777s, will be fitted out with premium economy cabins.
Currently, 22 A380s flying across the network have been fitted with the new cabins.