Less Seats & Larger Fleets

 

- Dominic Ellis

Emirates and flydubai had plenty in common during Dubai Airshow 2017 week, beyond their nascent codeshare partnership. Both carriers were displaying new aircraft – in Emirates’ case, the 100th A380 featuring a tribute to HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, while flydubai paraded its B737 MAX – and announced major orders (Emirates ordering 40 Dreamliners, flydubai 225 B737 MAX). They showed off their latest premium cabins too, though perhaps the most significant link lay in what they omitted rather than included.

Both airlines have cut out two seats. Emirates’ first class on its new Boeing widebodies – going into service initially on Geneva and Brussels this month – feature six self-contained suites while flydubai’s new MAX has removed the second-row pairing, opting for a stylish-looking single middle seat in a 10-seat business class cabin.

Such moves may seem peripheral in the context of multi-cabin configurations and billion-dollar plane orders but space is always the most precious commodity on any aircraft; in their separate ways, both partners were making bold statements with their premium upgrades, enticing passengers with a more cosey and private experience for those prepared to pay for it.

Emirates’ first class suites took centre stage at a time when many airlines continue to cut first class or disband it altogether. The tie-up with Mercedes-Benz, which worked on the cabins for four years with Emirates, results in sharper wood (inspired on the S Class) and fixture designs and augments Emirates’ presence in the luxury brand space, while charismatic auto journo Jeremy Clarkson provides the ad campaign with some extra zip.

‘WINDOW’ VIEWS FROM AISLE SUITES