First look: Emirates’ new jet throws down challenge to Qantas

New Emirates jets rarely come along. The last all-new aircraft that the Dubai-based super-connector launched was its iconic double-decker Airbus A380 superjumbo back in 2008. But on Wednesday at Dubai International Airport the company showed off its first Airbus A350, which will start flying between Edinburgh and Dubai from January 3.

The Emirates Airbus A350 was unveiled at Dubai airport last week.

The A350’s high ceilings, near vertical walls, and high-quality cabin air – more moist and set at a higher pressure than most jets – make it many passengers’ and airlines’ favourite. Singapore Airlines uses it on its 19-hour non-stop run from Singapore to New York and Qantas will introduce it on its “Project Sunrise” 21-hour non-stop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to London and New York in 2026. Emirates has learnt from what other airlines have done and come up with the best version yet of the jet.

The aircraft will have 259 economy seats.

Economy is, still, economy but the 259 seats, arranged 3-3-3 across the cabin, are slim yet comfortable, creating a decent 31-32-inch (79 to 81cm) pitch – the measure of legroom airlines use. The colours of the fabric upholstery are bright cream with blue accents. “Unlike many of our competitor carriers, which go for dark colours, creating a very gloomy cabin,” Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates, said at the launch (in a none-too-subtle dig at his arch rival Qatar Airways, whose trademark colour is burgundy).

The TV screens in economy are a healthy 13.3 inches (33.8cm) on the diagonal. The headrest is adjustable six ways up and down and side to side, so you don’t have to bring a neck pillow if you want to sleep. The windows are vast, flooding the cabin with light – but you can adjust the brightness using electronically operated blinds.

The bathrooms are better than those in any other economy cabin, with large hand basins, make-up lighting built into the mirror, and wood veneer finishes. There’s a drinking water fountain for passengers to refill water bottles – which every airline should instantly introduce.

The only wrinkle is that if you sit in the window seats, which many passengers prefer, you have to angle your legs slightly inwards to avoid hitting one of the steel legs supporting the row of seats in front.

With only 21 seats, premium economy feels exclusive.

Emirates raised the bar on premium economy when in 2021 it became the first – and still the only – Gulf carrier to introduce the class between economy and business. It has improved again on the A350. With only 21 seats, as opposed to the 40-plus most carriers now offer, the cabin feels exclusive.

Instead of arranging the seats in a 2-4-2 configuration across the cabin as many carriers do on their A350s, including Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, Emirates has opted for 2-3-2. This means that most passengers have direct aisle access. It also makes the cabin feel more spacious and creates aisles as wide as those in business class.

The seat pitch is one inch more than in premium economy on Emirates’ current single-decker workhorse, the Boeing 777ER. The seat recline is so generous that it can feel intrusive if the person in front of you leans back when you want to sit upright to work or eat. There are two lavatories for the use of premium-economy passengers.

These same passengers will be the first in the sky to enjoy Chandon Vintage Brut 2017 sparkling wine. Emirates is following Virgin Atlantic by introducing a snack service for premium-economy passengers but going beyond Virgin by doing the same for economy-class passengers, too.

With business class seats arranged 1-2-1, rather than 2-3-2, all passengers have aisle access

Business is a significant improvement on Emirates’ Boeing 777ER because the 32 cream leather upholstered seats are arranged 1-2-1, rather than 2-3-2, which means that all passengers have direct aisle access. The seat is very similar to that on Emirates’ A380s: wide and with good bed length and comfortable bedding thanks to the mattress. It comes with Emirates’ trademark minibar. There are some innovations, though, notably wireless charging and more in-suite mood lighting settings.

Clark has not taken the opportunity to follow just about every other premium carrier and add a door to its business-class suites. This will disappoint some travellers who relish the privacy offered by this option. The door and wall on the Q Suite on Qatar Airways are so high you can change into pyjamas to sleep and get dressed again in the morning in the suite.

All passengers will benefit from faster, more reliable Wi-Fi, using the ViaSat Global Xpress (GX) satellite network, and easier to use in-flight entertainment with even more films and TV shows. The jet is powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent engines, which burn 25 per cent less fuel than previous models and are quieter, reducing not only cabin noise but also noise pollution for those living near airports.

The jet is powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent engines, which burn 25 per cent less fuel than previous models and are quieter.

The only thing missing on the new jet is first class. Clark said yesterday it was unlikely that he will introduce it on the A350, even if he opts to buy the larger A350-1000 version of the plane. That’s probably because the A350 will not serve the largest business and tourism hubs; Emirates’ A380s will continue to plough those routes and they have one of the best first-class cabins, with showers. As well as Edinburgh, expect to see the A350 serving cities such as Lyon, Bologna, Colombo, Mumbai and Adelaide.

Emirates has ordered 65 of the new jets which should increase the number of destinations the airline serves from 140 to around 150. “This is just a wonderful piece of kit and will be a workhorse,” Clark said yesterday.

My advice? If you are travelling business class and don’t tend to go to the bar on the Emirates A380, this is the best Emirates jet for you. If you are travelling premium economy, it is the best option of any carrier. And economy is about as pleasant as economy can be.

It’s now up to Qantas to try to beat Emirates when it launches its first A350 next year. Over to you, the Flying Kangaroo.

The Telegraph, London