Overview
- Emirates unveiled the new seat on Thursday, September 3, 2026, describing it as a fully electrically operated Premium Economy unit with a full‑height divider that passengers can raise, lower and lock from seat controls.
- The A350 installation will use a 2‑3‑2 layout with 28 premium economy seats per cabin and seat controls that offer lounge and meal positions plus a cradle recline that does not intrude on the row behind.
- Key features include 20‑inch seat width, up to 39‑inch pitch, 13.3‑inch 4K HDR touchscreens, wireless charging, USB‑C ports, an integrated phone holder on the tray table, a manual leather footrest and Safran’s U‑Dream headrest.
- Emirates has started fitting the U‑Dream headrest on three A350s and says it will install that headrest across its A350 fleet by year‑end, while there are no announced plans to retrofit the new seat into A380s or 777s.
- Industry observers note the ‘‘world‑first’’ claim is qualified because Japan Airlines offered electric Premium Economy adjustments on its A350‑1000 in 2023, and analysts say the divider marks a broader shift toward privacy and work‑friendly Premium Economy travel.