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Emiratesis internationally recognized for its superb standard of premium economy. The carrier placed third in the last Skytrax classification for the category, one place above Singapore Airlines. Aboard the airline’s massive Airbus A380s, passengers have 56 seats to choose from, an enormous premium economy cabin.
Along with creating a premium economy cabin larger than its rivals’, Emirates has shown that it can deliver a near-business-class experience, minus lie-flat seating, without charging over standard premium economy pricing. The carrier continues to outshine its rivals like Singapore Airlines.
The Key Differences Between The Two Airlines’ Premium Economy Seats
The most obvious difference is that Emirates’ premium economy seats are larger than those of its competitors. Passengers can enjoy 19.5 inches (49.5 cm) of width and 38 to 40 inches (96.5 to 101.6 cm) of pitch, according to Go Guided. The seat also has pop-up calf rests for additional comfort. These seats are in a 2-4-2 configuration on the A380 and Boeing 777, and 2-3-2 for the Airbus A350, and passengers can expect to pay up to twice as much.
Meanwhile, 
Singapore Airlines offers a 38-inch (96.5 cm) seat pitch as standard, and an 18.5 to 19.5-inch (47 cm to 49.5 cm) width. Both carriers have the same eight inches (20.3 cm) of recline according to Trip.com. Emirates’ mini-business class experience isn’t just about the quality of what is included in the product. It also visually looks closer to business class, a clear statement of intent. The seats are decked out with plush cream leather. The armrests have sleek woodgrain finishes. The impression created by these design decisions is of a step-down from business class rather than a step up from economy. Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines’ premium economy seat design is contemporary and functional, lacking the flair on display from Emirates.
Fleet Differences Give Emirates More Room To Play With
The variation in fleet dynamics means that Emirates is far less constrained by space than Singapore. This is because of the carrier’s enormous A380 fleet, with Emirates having access to 116 A380s. The carrier also flies a large number of Boeing 777s, with 144. Singapore Airlines’ widebody fleet is both smaller in terms of the number of aircraft – 139 planes to Emirates’ 283 jets – and utilizes smaller aircraft. For example, its widebody fleet is dominated by midsize aircraft such as the A350 and the Boeing 787. Large aircraft like the A380, 777 and Boeing 747 have a much smaller representation.
The table below compares the widebody fleets for Emirates and Singapore, using data from Planespotters.net:
Aircraft | Emirates | Singapore Airlines |
|---|---|---|
Airbus A350 | 23 | 65 |
Airbus A380 | 116 | 12 |
Boeing 747 | None | 7 |
Boeing 777 | 144 | 27 |
Boeing 787 | None | 28 |
Total | 283 | 139 |
Larger aircraft allow for large premium economy cabins, like the 56 premium economy seats available on Emirates’ A380s. It is also notable that the carrier chooses to make this decision when such room is available, where others do not. For example, Singapore Airlines configures its A380s with 44 seats in a 2-4-2 layout, all of which are on the main deck.
What Are The Benefits Of Flying In Emirates’ Business Class?
The carrier is known for taking luxury to another level.
Emirates Premium Brand Sustains More Premium Economy Seats Than Its Rivals
Constructing a 56-seat premium economy cabin is wasteful for carriers that can’t fill it. The carrier is able to sustain the large-scale demand needed because of both Emirates and Dubai’s premium brand, while still offering competitive schedules and fares.
The A380 is central to the premium brand across all classes. In economy, its seats are more spacious than those available aboard its ten-abreast 777s. First class passengers have access to showers, a unique feature in commercial aviation. Meanwhile, first and business class passengers can use a fully staffed bar on the upper deck. Although not all the Emirates A380s premium features are available to premium economy passengers, it has helped produce an image of the aircraft in customers’ minds that produces an increased demand for the class.
The table below shows the specifications for Emirates’ A380s, making use of Emirates data:
Seat capacity | 484 (ultra-long-range configuration) to 615 (two-class configuration) across four configurations. |
|---|---|
Cruising altitude | 43,100 ft (13,100 m) |
Wingspan | 261 feet 8 inches (79.8 m) |
Length | 238 feet 6 inches (72.7 m) |
Height | 79 feet 7 inches (24.1 m) |
Cabin Width | Main deck: 21 feet 7 inches (6.58 m). Upper deck: 19 feet 5 inches (5.92 m) |
Maximum range | 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km) |
Emirates has produced a ‘halo effect’ around its A380, where one product, the chance to fly on the world’s biggest airliner, produces interest in the entire brand. Moreover, the enormous size of Emirates’ A380 fleet means it is widely available for people flying long-haul to Dubai, which also generates a consistent experience when flying with the airline.
Comparing The Culinary Offering
Food is where Singapore Airlines gets closest to Emirates in the quality of its premium economy product. Passengers flying over 90 minutes can make use of the ‘Book the Cook’ service, which is also available in Suites, first class and business class. It allows passengers to pre-select a restaurant-quality meal between six weeks and 24 hours before their flight. The exact menu will vary depending on the flight that you are on. However, main courses include the lamb ragout, herb-crusted sea bass, and beef bourguignon, along with a range of traditional Singaporean options.
Emirates’ dining is also of excellent quality, mirroring what the carrier offers business class passengers. For example, you’ll be able to try wines that have been pulled from the business-class cellar, including sparkling Chandon. Food is served on Royal Doulton china tableware with stainless steel cutlery, a luxury step up from the plastic available in economy class.
As with Singapore Airlines, the exact menu will vary depending on the flight that you are on. However, Emirates has produced a sample menu to give an impression of what you’ll be able to get. Dinner on this menu begins with an antipasti salad, followed by a choice of grilled chicken or Thai pepper beef, with coconut sago pudding for dessert.
Inflight Entertainment — Another Area Where The Airlines Are Comparable
Passengers flying on Emirates A380 premium economy class can use its award-winning Information, Communication, and Entertainment (ICE) system. You’ll have an enormous library of TV shows, music, games, and movies to choose from on the 13.3-inch (33.8 cm) touchscreen. The airline also provides passengers with noise-canceling headphones, so you can focus on your movie without being distracted by surrounding passengers.
If you can’t find anything on the ICE screen to your liking, Emirates also offers WiFi, although you will need to pay extra unless you are an Emirates Skywards Platinum member. Fees range from $2.99 to $19.99 depending on your flight duration and the level of WiFi access you want, from text-only services to full connectivity. The service is provided via Starlink satellites. The A380 has particularly high-speed Wi-Fi, fast enough for streaming, calling friends, and social media. Emirates describes it as “ground quality.” However, it is not totally unrestricted. “Due to limited bandwidth and satellite data cost, media streaming and some sync services are restricted. Available bandwidth is optimised to provide a better or fairer experience for everyone,” writes Emirates.
Singapore Airlines also keeps its premium economy passengers entertained through its KrisWorld system, accessible through a 13.3-inch (33.8 cm) touchscreen, with passengers being given noise-canceling headphones. There is a choice of 1,800 movies, television shows, music, games and more. You’ll find the latest Hollywood movies and iconic comedy series like Friends. Internet connectivity is also available on selected flights. While Emirates offers a unique structural advantage on the A380, its entertainment remains competitive with that of other high-end carriers.
Emirates’ A380 Premium Economy Isn’t Going Anywhere
The largest commercial passenger aircraft ever developed is an outlier within the contemporary aviation sector, which is increasingly moving towards smaller and hyperefficient twinjets, like the Airbus A350, for long-haul flying. Such aircraft make point-to-point aviation possible, whereas the A380 is restricted to the usually obsolete hub-and-spoke model, as it can only serve the world’s largest airports.
Emirates will continue to buck this trend, using the aircraft to prioritize capacity and premium products above all else. It flies it to the world’s most popular destinations from Dubai, which often have slot restrictions. The size of the aircraft means Emirates could increase its network capacity without having to acquire huge numbers of new slots at immense cost. Emirates has now built a network of trunk routes to Australasia, North America and Europe.
Emirates has put its money where its mouth is with the A380 in recent years, indicating that it hopes to keep flying the aircraft for many years to come. It is the backbone of a multi-year modernization project. It has said it is investing $5 billion to refurbish 219 of its aircraft, 110 of which are A380s. The airline will enter the next phase of onboard upgrades in August 2026, including WiFi connectivity improvements, new cabin features and an in-flight entertainment upgrade.
