Emirates is bringing one of business travelers' favorite features to its premium economy cabins
Emirates has introduced new premium economy seats featuring full-height privacy screens and electric controls. This move brings luxury-style privacy features to a cabin class that has historically lacked such amenities.
Why it matters
The airline industry is increasingly differentiating premium economy products to capture higher-spending travelers who desire business-class comfort at a lower price point.
Emirates unveiled a new premium economy seat on Thursday. Courtesy of Emirates Emirates introduces premium economy seats with full-height privacy screens and electric controls. The new seats feature wireless charging, a 4K screen, and a U-Dream headrest for neck support. Privacy dividers are de rigueur in business and first-class cabins, but virtually unheard of elsewhere. For years, privacy on planes was reserved for the wealthiest travelers. Now that's changing. Emirates unveiled a new premium-economy seat on Thursday, with a unique privacy screen. As well as being more private, the new seat is easier to recline and raise the legrest with electric controls. Plus, it reclines in a cradle position, which avoids intruding on the passenger behind. While Japan Airlines was the first to introduce electric controls in premium economy, Emirates' new seat also uses them to control the privacy divider, which extends to the full height of the seat.
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