DUBAI- Emirates (EK) has confirmed a wide-ranging expansion of its Premium Economy product, deploying retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft and new-generation Airbus A350s across major global markets.
The rollout strengthens premium capacity while maintaining consistent cabin standards across the airline’s long-haul network.
The expansion includes increased services from Dubai (DXB) to Copenhagen (CPH), Phuket (HKT), and Cape Town (CPT), alongside multiple route upgrades across Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East.
The strategy supports anticipated summer demand while improving connectivity and onboard comfort.
Emirates Premium Economy on 14 Routes
Emirates continues to invest heavily in fleet renewal and cabin retrofits, using Airbus A350, Boeing 777, and A380 aircraft to deliver a standardized Premium Economy experience.
The cabin features increased legroom, wider seating, upgraded dining, and enhanced amenities, positioned between Business and Economy Class.
By 1 July, Emirates plans to operate Premium Economy equipped aircraft on more than 84 routes, underscoring its focus on product consistency across regions and aircraft types.
From 1 June, Emirates will introduce a second daily Dubai–Copenhagen service operated by an Airbus A350.
From 1 July, a third daily frequency will be added on both Dubai–Phuket and Dubai–Cape Town routes, also using the A350, adding capacity and Premium Economy availability on all three markets.
All additional services feature Emirates’ latest Business, Premium Economy, and Economy Class cabins.
Flight Schedules and Connectivity
Dubai – Copenhagen (CPH)
From 1 June, flight EK153 will depart Dubai at 14:50, arriving in Copenhagen (CPH) at 19:45. The return flight, EK154, will depart Copenhagen at 21:35 and arrive in Dubai at 05:55 the following day.
The service is timed to support onward connections via Dubai to Bangkok, Bali, Manila, Tokyo Haneda, Phuket, Colombo and Malé.
New African connections include Nairobi (NBO) and Entebbe (EBB). Passengers from Taipei (TPE), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Melbourne (MEL), Brisbane (BNE), Sydney (SYD), Auckland (AKL), Delhi (DEL), and Bengaluru (BLR) also benefit from improved access to Copenhagen.
Dubai – Phuket (HKT)
From 1 July, flight EK390 will depart Dubai at 22:40, arriving in Phuket (HKT) at 08:10 the following day. The return service, EK391, will depart Phuket at 10:00 and arrive in Dubai at 13:05.
The early morning arrival supports connections from Manchester, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
Onward connectivity from Phuket includes Madrid (MAD), Munich (MUC), Birmingham (BHX), Brussels (BRU), Düsseldorf (DUS), Hamburg (HAM), Edinburgh (EDI), Zurich (ZRH), and Amman (AMM).
Dubai – Cape Town (CPT)
From 1 July, flight EK778 will depart Dubai at 10:25, arriving in Cape Town (CPT) at 18:05. The return flight, EK779, will depart Cape Town at 20:00 and arrive in Dubai at 07:25 the following day.
The third daily frequency supports optimized connections to and from London, Dublin, Mumbai, Brussels, Australasia, and key Asian markets.
Emirates’ Cape Town services have recorded consistently high load factors, with strong inbound demand from the GCC and outbound traffic to Europe and the US East Coast.
The additional frequency was originally announced at the 2025 Dubai Airshow.
Emirates Planned Premium Economy Routes
Europe and North America
- Barcelona (BCN) / Mexico City (MEX): EK187/188 will operate with a retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER from 1 February. EK255/256 between Barcelona and Mexico City will use a three-class retrofitted Boeing 777-200LR daily from 15 February.
- Rome (FCO): EK099/100 will operate daily with Airbus A350 aircraft from 29 March.
- Copenhagen (CPH): Second daily A350 service introduced from 1 June as EK153/154.
Asia
- Cochin (COK): Two weekly services on EK530/531 (Thursday and Sunday) will operate with a retrofitted Boeing 777-200LR from 29 January.
- Karachi (KHI): Daily EK606/607 services will transition to a retrofitted three-class Boeing 777-200LR from 1 March.
- Taipei (TPE): EK386/387 will operate with a retrofitted Boeing 777-200LR from 15 March to 30 April, followed by Airbus A350 operations from 1 May.
- Phuket (HKT): Third daily service EK390/391 begins 1 July using Airbus A350 aircraft.
Australia
- Brisbane (BNE): From 29 March, EK430/431 will be operated by a retrofitted four-class Boeing 777-300ER, complementing the existing A380 Premium Economy service.
Africa
- Addis Ababa (ADD): Daily EK723/724 will operate with a retrofitted three-class Boeing 777-200LR from 1 March.
- Cape Town (CPT): Third daily service from 1 July 2026 using a next-generation Airbus A350.
Middle East
- Tehran (IKA): Daily EK979/980 services will operate with a retrofitted four-class Boeing 777 from 29 March.
- Basra (BSR): Thursday EK947/948 service will transition to a retrofitted four-class Boeing 777-300ER from 29 January.
- Kuwait City (KWI): EK859/860 will operate with a retrofitted Boeing 777 from 1 February to 30 April, followed by Airbus A350 operations from 1 May.
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