Emirates A350 Premium Economy adds electric privacy screen at 20-inch width
The 28-seat cabin debuts with full-height divider, wireless charging and 13.3-inch 4K screen; fare premium and retrofit cost undisclosed.
Emirates A350 Premium Economy adds electric privacy screen at 20-inch width
Emirates has introduced a Premium Economy seat with a full-height electrically operated privacy divider on its Airbus A350 aircraft, the airline disclosed on 3 September 2026. The 28-seat cabin is configured 2-3-2, with each seat measuring 20 inches wide and offering up to 39 inches of pitch. The seat reclines into a cradle position without intruding into the row behind. The privacy divider extends to the full height of the seat and can be raised, lowered and locked using the seat control unit, which also offers preset lounge and meal modes. Emirates launched Premium Economy in 2022 and has expanded the cabin across its fleet; the A350 cabin is now available on all routes served by that aircraft type.
Wireless charging and 4K screen added to A350 Premium Economy specification
The A350 Premium Economy seat includes wireless charging, USB-C charging and a phone holder built into the tray table. Entertainment is delivered via a 13.3-inch 4K HDR touchscreen, with additional external aircraft camera views available on the A350. The seat features a redesigned leather U-Dream headrest by Safran Seats with adjustable wings for head and neck support. On long-haul flights, reusable amenity kits made with bio-based materials include Aveda skincare products, socks, eyeshades, earplugs and a dental kit. The seat is electrically powered throughout, with the control unit managing recline, privacy divider position and preset modes.
Lufthansa Allegris Premium Economy uses fixed shell at 39-inch pitch
Lufthansa has deployed a fixed hard-shell Premium Economy seat in its Allegris cabin, with a 39-inch pitch compared with around 38 inches on the carrier's legacy Premium Economy product. When a passenger reclines, the seat moves forward within its shell rather than pushing the seatback into the space behind. Allegris Premium Economy includes a 15.6-inch 4K entertainment screen, wireless charging and power access. The comparison is drawn from published specifications; no fare differential or capital cost data for either Emirates or Lufthansa Premium Economy configurations has been disclosed by the carriers.
Global passenger revenue growth settling into low single digits by 2027
Global passenger revenue is expected to approach $900 billion by 2027, with annual growth settling into low single digits as the post-pandemic recovery phase concludes, according to industry forecasts cited by Skift on 3 September 2026. Airlines are shifting focus from passenger volume growth to revenue per passenger, with investment moving from first-class and business-class products to Premium Economy cabins. The capital and retrofit costs for reconfiguring cabins toward higher premium density, and the fare premium airlines can command for enhanced Premium Economy features such as the privacy divider, remain undisclosed in available carrier statements.
Sources
- Skift · Emirates launched Premium Economy seat with electric privacy divider on A350 on 3 September 2026; global passenger revenue expected to approach $900 billion by 2027 with low single-digit growth
- Gulf News · Emirates A350 Premium Economy has 28 seats in 2-3-2 configuration, 20 inches wide, 39 inches pitch; seat by Safran with U-Dream headrest; Lufthansa Allegris Premium Economy has 39-inch pitch and 15.6-inch 4K screen
Arab Time is published by Arabian Media Network. Pieces are produced by the Hospitality Capital Desk with AI-assisted synthesis of the cited sources and automated verification against the network's editorial policy. Corrections: corrections page.