Premium economy for Perth’s Emirates flyers

Perth passengers flying with Emirates will finally be able to experience the airline’s premium economy on its Airbus A380s from October 26, 2025.

Perth will become the fourth Australian city to get Emirates’ four-class cabins when EK420/421 services between Perth and Dubai get the upgraded A380. The EK420 flight leaves Perth at 10.20pm.

Emirates was a latecomer to the premium economy segment, only launching the product in 2022. But it has become extremely popular, with the airline expecting to offer across its global network over two million premium economy seats per year by the end of this year and four million seats by the end of 2026.

THE BIG MAKEOVER

Emirates has been undertaking a $10 billion aircraft interior refurbishment program involving its A380s and 777s, with nose-to-tail makeovers completed at an average rate of one aircraft every three weeks. Fifty-one aircraft have been retrofitted, with 219 aircraft (110 A380s and 109 777s) to be upgraded in total.

The four-class A380s feature 14 first-class suites, 76 lie-flat seats in business class, 56 premium economy seats and 322 economy seats.

The premium economy cabin is at the front of the main deck with a 2-4-2 configuration and has cream-coloured leather and a wood-panel finishing similar to business class. Each 49.5cm-wide seat has a six-way adjustable headrest, a footrest and a generous recline, as well as a 34cm screen, in-seat charging and a wood-finished side cocktail table.

The refreshed business-class cabin has a new 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access; a 52.5cm-wide seat that converts to a flat-bed and reclines up to 200cm; and a 58.5cm HD screen, one of the biggest in the skies.

Emirates says by December, 56 of its 77 weekly services between Australia and Dubai will be operated by next-generation aircraft featuring its latest onboard product, including over 5000 weekly premium economy seats.