I Flew on Emirates’ New Premium Economy Cabin—Here’s What It Was Like

Sleeping in an economy seat has always been a challenge. As someone who has traveled on several overnight redeye flights, I understand the difficulties of trying to sleep well in an upright position with a fastened seat belt in a tight space. So when I woke up on a redeye flight refreshed and recharged, I knew Emirates had done something right. 

Airlines have notoriously started blurring the once-firm line between economy and first class with mid-level classes offering different creature comforts. Now, Emirates—a flagship carrier of the United Arab Emirates—unveiled its own version of “premium economy” cabin with more leg room, upgraded dining, and a more enjoyable economy experience. And this elevated version of the economy cabin is perfect for travelers looking for a premium experience without paying the big bucks of a first-class ticket.

Best of all, the upgraded cabin is available on Emirates’ New York-to-Europe routes, which includes the carrier’s flight between Newark, New Jersey (EWR), and Athens, Greece (ATH). From there, travelers can stay in Athens, connect to another European destination, or continue with Emirates to Dubai. 

The service, which made its debut this spring, is being heralded as one of the best premium economy products in the marketplace by travelers due to the cabin design, dining options, and personalized service. 

On our flight, the Emirates cabin crew made the boarding process pleasant, with warm greetings, helpful introductions to the seat and cabin, and an attentive demeanor while previewing the upcoming flight service. 

The magic of the cabin continued at 30,000 feet when the meal service commenced. A multi-course meal rivaling a meal at a Michelin-starred eatery was paired perfectly with the 2012 Château Fombrauge from the airline’s ample onboard wine cellar. 

With a satisfied stomach, I continued to enjoy the flight on the 13.3-inch high-definition screen, where I watched the Jon Chu-directed “Wicked,” which looked and sounded brilliant. The built-in Bluetooth connection worked flawlessly to deliver crystal-clear audio to my noise-cancelling headphones. 

The aircraft offers complimentary Wi-Fi for members of Emirates’ loyalty program, Skywards, which is free to join. While I wasn’t planning on working or scrolling social media, the Wi-Fi was helpful to communicate to friends and family about the flight.

As the credits rolled on “Wicked,” it was time for me to get some rest. Upon waking, I was surprised to learn from my Apple Watch that I slept for over four hours without waking up. Most surprising of all: I wasn’t even seated in the coveted window seat where I could lay against the wall—I was in the middle section, in a row of four seats. 

Emirates’ premium economy cabin was designed by its in-house Dubai-based design team, with two goals: elevated comfort and modern style. “From the wood panel finishing to the cream-colored leather seats with a generous pitch of up to 40 inches complete with a calf and footrest, these seats provide a spacious and relaxing flying experience,” Matthew Jones, Emirates’ V.P. of the United States, said in a statement to T+L. 

Another luxury touch of the cabin is that both sides are curtained off, which drowns out any excess noise, lights, or interruptions from the galley or restrooms. 

While the elevated experiences of Emirates’ first class and business class are world-renowned, premium economy is the solution for travelers who are looking for something in between. It empowers passengers to arrive at their destination rested and comfortable, while maintaining a tighter budget on the airfare cost.

As an example, the Newark-to-Athens route costs an average of $12,000 in first class, and $4,450 in business, while only $1,480 in premium economy, according to Google Flight data viewed by T+L. Some passengers who book regular economy tickets, as low as $674, are provided the opportunity to upgrade to the cabin when using cash or miles. 

Plus, the Newark-to-Athens service provides a luxury option to a region of Europe that has fewer flight frequencies than other major European capitals such as London or Madrid. 

While in Athens, I took a cable car to dine at Orizontes and enjoy sweeping views of Athens; checked into the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, which is just a short drive from the Athens Airport; and spontaneously danced off my finale supper at Aigli Zappeiou during a summer evening concert series. And yet, one of the most memorable elements of the trip was the journey itself and being able to fall into a blissful slumber at 30,000 feet.