‘Finally here’: Emirates reveals new plane

Emirates has just unveiled its new Airbus A350 with passengers already offering their honest feedback after the airline revealed the new plane online.

It’s been a long time coming but Emirates’ first A350-900 aircraft finally arrived in its home city of Dubai on Wednesday.

The Airbus A350-900 is the first of 65 A350s to join the Emirates fleet with the aircraft unveiled at an exclusive event in Dubai on Wednesday.

It accommodates 312 passengers in 32 next-generation Business Class lie-flat seats, 21 Premium Economy seats and 259 “generously pitched Economy Class seats”.

And passengers can expect lush details including Mercedes S Class-inspired leather seats in business class, a “cinematic” in-flight entertainment system and quieter and spacious cabins.

Emirates unveils first A350 aircraft. Picture: Emirates

The aircraft is the first new aircraft type to join Emirates’ fleet since 2008 and president of the airline, Sir Tim Clarke, is pretty stoked about it.

“We have customised the cabin design and layouts and added many innovative little features to delight our customers and help our crew deliver better service,” he said at the event.

Economy class

The economy seat has a new fabric in an ‘uplifting and elegant light blue, with luxurious bronze-coloured armrests’. Picture: Emirates

Economy class customers will notice two distinct improvements to their seats on the Emirates A350.

Similar to the newest Emirates 777 and A380 aircraft, the A350 economy seat has a new fabric in an “uplifting and elegant light blue, with luxurious bronze-coloured armrests”.

The airline will also soon introduce a brand new 6-way adjustable headrest in economy, allowing customers the option of sleep with full neck support.

It’s expected in 2025 with the airline saying it will eliminate the need for neck pillows.

Business class

Business class will have a 1-2-1 seat configuration. Picture: Emirates

Business class will have a 1-2-1 seat configuration and features 32 leather ‘S Lounge seats’, inspired by the Mercedes S Class.

There will also be wireless charging on the side cocktail table and in-seat lighting controls with five streams of light.

Apart from lie-flat seats, it will feature 4k ice screen, multiple sockets and charging ports, minibar and improved storage.

Premium economy

And this is the premium economy cabin. Picture: Emirates

The airline is known for its premium economy cabin having recently won an award for it – so passengers can continue to expect the best of the best.

It boasts spacious leather reclining seats with full leg and footrests and adjustable headrests.

It features in-seat charging points, a side cocktail table, a 13.3-inch TV screen, a generously sized pillow and blanket, complimentary amenity kits on select flights. And just like in business, meals are served on Royal Doulton chinaware, accompanied by Robert Welch cutlery wrapped in a linen napkin. The cabin will have a maximum of 28 seats.

Window blinds adjusted with button

This aircraft marks the first of 65 A350s to join Emirates’ fleet, with the first commercial flight scheduled for Edinburgh on January 3, 2025. Picture: Emirates

It’s all about the little details – like pressing a button to adjust your window blind. The aerBlade dual blind system will feature in business and premium economy class offering two shaded options, and the aerBlade single blind systems will make a debut in Economy Class, with all blinds showing the Emirates Ghaf tree motif when closed. Customers can now call cabin crew by pressing through a new touchscreen button. Other features include pulling up your menu on screen, 5 aircraft camera views, 60-watt USB C charging in every seat, with the ability to pair two Bluetooth connections for personal headphones. And to top it off, there’s also faster wi-fi.

‘Cinematic’ screens

Expect a ‘cinematic’ display. Picture: Emirates

Expect a “cinematic” display with the in-flight entertainment system boasting the “best picture quality on any aircraft” with 4K and 4K HDR, ultra-responsive touchscreens and a vast media selection- up to triple the current content capacity. There’s also new features like ‘eye comfort mode’ to reduce blue light exposure, the ability to skip credits and intros on videos, enhanced live TV.

Customer reaction

Customers have already pounced on the Emirates Instagram page to offer feedback on the new aircraft with some saying they prefer the look of premium over business.

“Congrats ,beautiful looking A350-900, amazing aircraft,” one person wrote.

Emirates unveiled the aircraft at an exclusive event in Dubai on Wednesday. Picture: Emirates

“Bruh, the economy class itself is luxurious. Team Emirates,” wrote another.

Meanwhile, a third added: “I’d rather fly premium economy than business cause the business class look older than Premium Economy lol Beautiful aircraft regardless.”

Another agreed: “The business seats look kind of old. The premium economy looks more fresher and modern.”

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the airline, who was also at the exclusive event on Wednesday, described the unveiling of the aircraft as an “exciting milestone for Emirates“.

“Onboard, our updated interiors and seating configurations will help us deliver a more elevated and comfortable experience to travellers across every cabin class.”

His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, minister of economy at ministry of economy, UAE, and president of the airline, Sir Tim Clark. Picture: Emirates

The duo taking a look at economy class. Picture: Emirates

The A350 will complement the existing Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 fleet, enabling Emirates to expand its network reach, including service to mid-sized airports not suitable for larger aircraft. The Emirates A350 will be delivered in two versions – one for regional routes and one for ultra long-haul routes.

Meanwhile, Omar Ali Adib, senior vice president of customer experience Rolls-Royce in the Middle East and Africa, spoke of the company’s $A1.9 billion investment.

“The collaborative effort between Emirates, Airbus and Rolls-Royce exemplifies what can be achieved when we share a commitment to excellence and build a long-term partnership that makes us all stronger.,” he said.

“With our £1 billion ($A1.9 billion) investment in durability across our Trent engine family, we are committed to continuing to evolve and improve in the years ahead.”

As of early next year, customers can look forward to experiencing the Emirates A350 in existing GCC points like Bahrain, Muscat and Kuwait, Lyon and Bologna in Europe, and Colombo, Mumbai and Ahmedabad in West Asia.