A Class Of Its Own

The rumours are true. Emirates' new premium economy class feels more like business than it does economy. And it is thanks to the several features and details that help paint an experience beyond an upgrade with more legroom.

- Manfred Lu

Whenever a discussion of which airline has the best business class surfaces, the same names have long dominated the conversation.

Emirates, the Middle East's largest airline, undoubtedly comes to mind. With luxurious, lie-flat seats offered even on the airline's shortest routes, an onboard bar experience on the Airbus A380, and culinary experiences that compete toe-to-toe with its competitors, it is easy to see just why.

For most travellers, these premium experiences are reserved only for the top-end of airline classes. But what if there was an option that emanates a premium experience without needing to splurge on a business class ticket? With the introduction of premium economy onboard Emirates' refurbished Airbus A380s and now Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, travelling in a class beyond standard economy is no longer too far-fetched of an idea especially when it costs just a fraction of business for the upgrade.

Emirates hopes to offer something different with its take on premium economy. It promises a whole new cabin class that borrows - and even mirrors several business class touch points instead of delivering an "economy-plus" product, as most airlines are inclined toward.

This might reassure anyone booked in this travel class, but I had my initial doubts. In fact, I quickly adjusted my expectations before embarking on a 20-hour journey (with a short layover in Dubai) to New York City from Singapore, worried that I may very well be sat in a seat that does not differ that much from that of economy's.

However, the airline got it right from the start, before I had even boarded the plane. Premium economy passengers are entitled to either 35kg of checked baggage or two pieces of checked baggage on flights to the United States and other destinations that follow the per-piece concept. With an allowance just 5kg shy of what most airlines would offer to their business class passengers, that alone allayed any pre-flight packing stresses.