What Makes Emirates’ Economy Class Product One Of The Best In The World?

The national flag carrier of Dubai Emirates is known for its service and attention to detail. While Emirates’ first class suites, fine dining, and chauffeur-driven transfers make it a standout among airlines, the Gulf State carrier also offers one of the best economy class offerings in the airline industry.

With its hub at Dubai International Airport (DXB) in the United Arab Emirates, the national airline provides a seamless connection between North America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia. According to the aviation data and statistics website ch-aviation, Emirates is also the biggest operator of everyone’s favorite aircraft, the Airbus A380, with 119 in its fleet. Besides the Airbus A380s, Emirates is also the world’s largest operator of the Boeing Triple Seven, with ten Boeing 777-200LRs and 122 Boeing 777-300ERs.

On Emirates economy class, passengers board from the rear

Frugal passengers looking to save money on their flights may find Emirates economy class tickets a little more expensive than Scoot, Level, Norse Atlantic, and JetStar. However, spending a few more dollars on flying with Emirates provides a more enjoyable experience.

Photo: Emirates

Flying in economy class with Emirates does not include free airport transfers or access to fancy airport lounges, but it does offer a better experience than most other airlines. Emirates boards its economy passengers by row starting from the back, so if you have paid to fly premium economy, you will have to wait longer to board as the premium economy seats are at the front of the economy cabin.

Best and worst economy class seats

According to aviation blogger Sam Chui, airline economy class seats have gotten thinner and offer less legroom than they once did, so airlines can fit more seats on planes. According to Sam, the airlines you should avoid flying in economy class with are:

• Ryanair
• Royal Flight
• Cebu Pacific Air
• West Air
• Jet2
• SmartLynx
• Spirit
• Citilink
• Buzz

The above airlines are low-cost carriers that make money by offering low fares and are not full-service airlines like Emirates. Regarding economy class seats, Sam likes the Japanese carriers All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) and thinks that the Airbus A380 has the best seats when flying with any other airline.

Emirates economy class seats

Like most airlines, Emirates wants passengers to pay a little extra for the bulkhead and emergency exit seats, which offer more legroom than other seats. However, Emirates does allow you to select your seat 48 hours before your flight. By looking at the seat map for your flight, you can try to book a seat where nobody is sitting next to you, and if you are very lucky, you can get an entire row for yourself.

Emirates Boeing 777s

Emirates Boeing 777s have 304 economy class seats configured in a 3-4-3 layout. Each seat is 17 inches wide with a leather headrest and 33 inches from the seat in front, with a six-inch recline. According to the website SeatGuru, the best economy class seats on Emirates Boeing 777s are the three side seats in row 24 and the four center aisle seats in row 38.

Emirates Airbus A380s

Photo: Emirates

Emirates Airbus A380s have 427 standard economy class seats in a 3-4-3 configuration. The seats are 18 inches wide and have a leather headrest. They are 33 inches apart and have a six-inch recline. According to SeatGuru, the best economy class seats on the Emirates A380 are the four center aisle seats in rows 45, 64, and 82 and the two window seats in rows 68 and 81.

Emirates economy class inflight entertainment

Emirates offers more movies, television shows, documentaries, news feeds, and children’s entertainment options than you could ever get through on your flight. Emirates economy passengers can watch their favorite programs on large 13.3-inch seat-back screens. On Emirates flights, you also get an interactive map so you can see where you are during your journey. If you want to get some work done or want to look at something on your own device, each economy class seat comes with power outlets and USB ports.

Photo: Emirates

Emirates economy class WiFi is available on all flights and costs between $2.99 and $5.99 for unlimited chat and between $9.99 and $19.99 for total WiFi access. The price you pay depends upon the length of the flight.

Emirates economy class meals

When it comes to airline food, flying in economy class can be underwhelming when it comes to what airlines offer their passengers. In all fairness, though, it may not be the airline’s fault. When you are at a cruising altitude of 36,000 feet and above, your taste buds and sense of smell greatly diminish. Many people assume that aircraft cabins are pressurized to mimic the same air pressure you would have at sea level, but they are not. Most aircraft cabins are pressurized to the pressure you would experience at 6000 to 8000 feet above sea level. Airlines do this because the higher the pressure differential between the inside and outside, the more stress is put on the plane, which reduces its lifespan.

The air in aircraft cabins is 12% less humid than you would find in the driest desert, making a person’s perception of saltiness and sweetness drop significantly. Airlines know this, which is why the chefs who create Emirates food offerings and extra salt and spices.

Emirates economy class passengers are offered a multicourse meal on all medium and long-haul flights. Unlike many other airlines, Emirates also has a menu designed to appeal to children. The chefs at Emirates have an excellent knowledge of cuisines from around the world, so you will always find one offering that is typical of the destination you are flying to.

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Emirates connects the world from its hub at Dubai International Airport (DXB).

Below is a typical Emirates economy class meal served on a flight between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) in Australia.

Breakfast

Appetizers: Fresh seasonal fruit and fruit yogurt.

Main course: Cheese omelet served with grilled chicken sausage, potato hash browns, and sautéed mushrooms with tomato concassé.

Vegetable crêpes Served with sautéed mushrooms with tomato concassé, hash browns, and vegan spinach spring roll.

Bread: Pav offered.

Offered with a selection of juices, tea, and coffee.

Light bites

Emirates pizza: Vegetarian pizza topped with tomatoes, melted cheese, and oregano

Offered with a selection of juices, tea, and coffee.

Lunch

Appetizer: Barley salad dressed with vinaigrette.

Main course: Grilled chicken served with bean and corn salsa, sweet potato mash, and broccoli.

Vegetable paella topped with peppers and served with braised lentils.

Dessert: Apple caramel mousse with vanilla cream and biscuit crumble.

Offered with a selection of wines, beers, spirits, juices, and soft drinks.

Hot drinks: Tea and coffee.

If you are celebrating a special event or want to pamper yourself, you can order an Emirates cake and champagne package when flying from Dubai. The offer includes a 20cl bottle of Moët et Chandon Brut Impérial and a luscious vanilla cake or rich chocolate lovers cake for $48.

If you want to order an Emirates cake and champagne package, you must do so at least 48 hours before your flight.

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