Travelers in six regions around the globe will soon have new access to an ultra-popular premium cabin from one of the world’s most luxurious airlines.
Emirates has announced that it will expand its premium economy cabin to 10 new cities this year, plus add more flight frequencies with the comfortable class on routes that already offer the cabin.
The swanky—yet somewhat affordable—cabin comes with additional perks and amenities, such as wider seats upholstered in cream-colored leather with a deeper recline and cushioned leg-rests. At meal time, premium economy fliers are served with Royal Doulton china tableware and can order wines typically reserved for business class only.
The premium economy expansion is possible thanks to the airline’s newly retrofitted Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft that now feature the added cabin, as well as the launch of its new Airbus A350 aircraft.
By July 1, the carrier plans to offer its premium economy cabin on more than 84 routes across its network. Emirates says one of the goals of the expansion is “underscoring its focus on delivering a premium and consistent experience across its network.”
Here’s a look at the 10 new routes that will begin offering Emirates premium economy class in 2026:
Europe & North America
- Barcelona and Mexico City: Emirates will operate its EK187/188 service with a retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from 1 February. EK255/256, the linked service between Barcelona and Mexico City, will operate with a Premium Economy retrofitted three class Boeing 777-200LR daily from 15 February onwards.
- Rome: The EK099/100 daily service will operate with A350 aircraft from 29 March.
Asia
- Cochin: From 29 January, two of the seven-weekly services (Thursday and Sunday) on EK530/531 between Dubai and Cochin will operate with a retrofitted Boeing 777-200LR.
- Karachi: Starting 1 March, Emirates’ retrofitted three-class Boeing 777-200LR will begin operating daily on EK606/607.
- Taipei: Emirates will operate its retrofitted Boeing 777-200LR on the EK386/387 daily service from 15 March until 30 April and, from 1 May onwards, those services will operate with the airline's A350 aircraft.
Australia
- Brisbane: From 29 March, daily flights on EK430/431 will be operated by a retrofitted four-class Boeing 777-300ER, joining the A380 retrofitted service introduced last year.
Africa
- Addis Ababa: From 1 March, the retrofitted 3-class Boeing 777-200LR will operate daily on EK723/724.
Middle East
- Basra: The Thursday service on EK947/948 will transition to a retrofitted four-class Boeing 777-300ER from 29 January.
- Kuwait City: The EK859/860 daily service between Dubai and Kuwait City will operate with a retrofitted Boeing 777 from 1 February until 30 April and from 1 May onwards the service will operate with an Emirates A350.
- Tehran: Effective 29 March, the retrofitted B777 in a four-class configuration will operate daily flights on EK979/980.
The Dubai-based carrier will also add additional frequencies on three routes, using its new Airbus A350 jet:
- Copenhagen: Addition of a second daily service from 1 June with an Emirates A350, as EK153/154.
- Phuket: A third daily service between Dubai and Phuket will come into effect from 1 July on EK 390/391.
- Cape Town: A third daily flight on the Dubai-Cape Town route, announced at the 2025 Dubai Airshow, will now operate with a next-gen Emirates A350 from 1 July 2026.
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