Emirates celebrated the upcoming debut of its Premium Economy product in India with an exclusive tour of its four-class A380 aircraft in Mumbai. When the new cabin class debuts on its A380 flights later this month, Emirates will be the first Middle Eastern airline to offer a low-key luxury experience in India.
The aircraft, which has Premium Economy cabins and is operated as EK506, landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (MIAL) to allow MIAL airport authorities, VIPs, travel agents, major corporate clients and journalists to try out what soon to be- launched service.
Guests were given a guided tour of the Premium Economy cabins that will debut on Emirates’ A380 service to Mumbai and Bengaluru on October 29 and on outbound flights from the two cities to Dubai on October 30.
Prakash Tulsiani, CEO, Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), Ashwin Noronha, COO, Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), Dinaz Madhukar, Director, Commercial Services, Adani Airports, other airport officials and Mohammed Sarhan, Emirates’ Vice President of India and Nepal, attended the premiere event.
Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer, and Ahmed Khoory, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations – West Asia and Indian Ocean, were among the Emirates officials who were on board the flight that arrived in Mumbai.
Commenting on the much-awaited introduction of the Premium Economy product in India, Mohammad Sarhan, Emirates Vice President for India and Nepal, said: “Emirates Premium Economy has revolutionized travel for a growing segment of travelers looking to enhance their flying experience.”
We have had a tremendous reaction from passengers who upgraded to Premium Economy and appreciated the greater comfort and elegance it offers at an affordable price. It will be very popular in India, due to the demand we have experienced on the ten routes where the product is currently available.
“With the continued increase in travel on our network, Premium Economy allows passengers to savor the perfect combination of luxury and affordability. This underscores our continued commitment to customers and delivering on our “Fly Better” promise. As we add Premium Economy cabins to an increasing number of aircraft, we hope to expand this option to more routes.”
“We are delighted to welcome Emirates as they reconfigure and enhance their service offering from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA),” said a CSMIA spokesperson.
As Emirates expands its wide range of services and extensive connectivities, CSMIA is ready to meet modern mobility requirements by implementing new technologies and digitalisation, contributing to a seamless passenger experience.
“We are pleased to offer customers the best possible CSMIA experience, thanks to Mumbai Airport’s world-class services and Emirates’ dedication to luxury and quality on board.”
The Emirates A380 Premium Economy cabins feature 56 luxurious cream leather seats at the front of the main deck and are arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration. The new cabin class includes fully recline seats, increased legroom and an enhanced dining experience, among other smart and luxurious touches.
Passengers looking for a premium dining experience can choose from a variety of regional menus featuring a variety of local dishes and a wide selection of beverages.
Additionally, the “ICE” ice in-flight entertainment system has been significantly improved, with a larger screen and a wide variety of movies, TV episodes and albums in regional Indian languages such as Hindi, Marathi and Kannada.
Emirates has embarked on one of the largest fleet renewal projects in aviation. Emirates’ engineering team began an innovative effort to refurbish 67 Airbus A380s and 53 Boeing 777s. In addition to a new design, the project will include the installation of almost 4,000 Premium Economy seats on 120 aircraft.
Meanwhile, Indian travelers flying between Dubai and Mumbai can book Premium Economy tickets on Emirates flights EK500/501, while those flying between Dubai and Bengaluru can book seats on Emirates flights EK568/569. Seats for one-way travel from both points in India can be booked now through emirates.com, Emirates sales offices and travel agencies from October 30.
