Summary
- Emirates plans to redesign its Boeing 777 business class layout by eliminating the middle seat.
- The new 1-2-1 configuration ensures that each passenger has direct aisle access, maximizing privacy and convenience.
- The airline’s premium economy retrofit program has been successful, with over 160,000 passengers upgrading to enjoy the enhanced cabin experience.
Emirates plans to redesign its Boeing 777 business class seating layout by eliminating the middle seat. This adjustment in the business class aligns with the ongoing premium economy retrofit program. The news comes straight from the airline’s chief commercial officer, Adnan Kazim, who sat down for an interview with Sam Chui.
A shift from 2-3-2 to a 1-2-1 layout
Premium economy is one component of a multi-billion total cabin refresh program at Emirates, which began two years ago. The airline’s chief commercial officer has confirmed that Emirates will begin retrofitting 53 Boeing 777-300ERs in the summer of 2024.
Photo: Fasttailwind | Shutterstock
In addition to introducing a premium economy product, the airline aims to enhance its Boeing 777 business class experience by adding more space. This involves transitioning from the current 2-3-2 layout to a more expansive 1-2-1 configuration. As a result, all 53 of the retrofitted 777-300ERs will boast a business class without the middle seat. Talking about the 777 business class readjustments, Kazim said:
“The existing 2-3-2 business class on B777 will go away, and you’ll see a new product that will be launched, which will bring us the alignment to the product that we have with the upcoming 777-9X, with the A350 that is coming in.”
Currently, the Dubai-based airline has a total of 144 Boeing 777s, according to Planespotters.net. Among these, there are 123 Boeing 777-300ERs, 10 Boeing 777-200LRs, and 10 Boeing 777 freighters.
A business class configuration of 1-2-1 is widely favored in the airline industry and among passengers. This layout ensures that each passenger has direct aisle access, maximizing both privacy and convenience. Travelers can move freely without disturbing fellow passengers in this thoughtfully designed arrangement.
The growing popularity of Emirates’ premium economy
The airline’s premium economy retrofit program also includes the Airbus A380 quadjet. Emirates aims to retrofit 67 out of its total fleet of 119 A380s. Emirates has already retrofitted 20 Airbus A380s, with the new product garnering positive results. Since its introduction, over 160,000 passengers have opted to upgrade from economy class to enjoy the enhanced cabin experience.
Photo: Emirates
Among these 20 retrofitted aircraft, only six were initially delivered with these cabins directly from Airbus. The airline’s refurbished A380s are capable of accommodating a total of 56 passengers in its premium economy cabin, according to ch-aviation. The little premium economy oasis is located at the front of Emirates’ A380 lower deck.
The entire cabin upgrade project is scheduled to wrap up by the end of 2025. By then, Emirates will install almost 4,000 new premium economy seats, refurbish 728 first-class suites, and upgrade over 5,000 business class seats to a new style and design.
What are your thoughts on the idea of eliminating the middle seat in business class? Let us know in the comments section below.
Sources: Sam Chui, ch-aviation, Planespotters.net