Review: Emirates premium economy versus business class

I tested out (almost) everything both business and premium economy has to offer on a recent trip to Dubai – and was surprised by my verdict.

Travelling on the pointy end of a plane is not cheap.

So many factors come into play and it can be hard to weigh up the benefits against the cost.

It could be a bucket-list experience you’ve been saving up for and with an airline like Emirates, perhaps opting for its award-winning premium economy (that’s half the price of its luxe business cabin) may be the way to go.

In late October, I was lucky enough to experience both cabins on the Airbus A380-800 to get a real feel of what each class has to offer – and even I was surprised by my verdict.

I was in premium economy during a 14-hour flight from Sydney to Dubai and in business class on the way home. I lapped up every experience, given it was my first time in the pointy end of the A380.

Emirates A380 has 76 business class seats and 56 premium economy seats.

Premium economy

It’s a luxe experience from the moment you arrive at the airport with Premium Economy passengers having their own check-in line, which means you don’t have to arrive too early to beat the queues.

The cabin is located at the front of the main deck with 56 seats laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration. It’s quiet, stylish and boasts everything business class has to offer – except for a flat-lay bed.

The moment I took my (chosen aisle seat) I was handed a warm towel and choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. I don’t like champagne at all, but I took a glass, because, well, it was the only alcoholic drink on offer. The flight attendant noticed my hesitation and immediately asked if I wanted another drink and kindly made me a Bloody Mary without a fuss. The service is A+.

My aisle seat. As you can see, the seats are pretty spacious. It reclines 10cm more than an economy seat.

While sipping on my beverage it was time to observe my surroundings and I couldn’t help but notice how spacious it was – from the storage to the lush leather seats.

The seats are 49.5cm with six-way adjustable headrests, a footrest and a generous recline. In fact, it reclines 10cm more than an economy seat and has an extra 100cm of leg room.

Each seat has a 33.7cm screen, one of the largest in its class, in-seat charging points and a very fancy walnut wood-finished side cocktail table.

For someone who never sleeps on flights, I was very surprised at how fast I fell asleep. The recline was enough for me to achieve about five hours of shut eye, which is a very big deal for me.

It also has an extra 100cm of leg room.

Now to the second most important thing – the food. Emirates prides itself on catering and they did not disappoint.

“Gosh, they keep the food coming, don’t they. I don’t think I can eat anymore,” the lady sitting next to me whispered.

I wasn’t mad about it. I am always peckish so it was great the food kept coming – and you could also order (more) snacks.

And I mean proper, filling snacks, like calzones and not just a packet of chips.

The brekkie menu on premium economy for a morning flight.

And the lunch menu.

Given it was a 6am flight, it was breakfast so I went in for the cheese omelette. It came with coconut chia pudding and seasonal fruit and while it was tasty, I had food envy when my seat buddy’s buttermilk pancakes came out. It was served with some tasty-looking apple and raspberry compote.

I went in for the cheese omelette.

And for lunch the prawn machbous, which was one of the best meals I’ve had on a flight. It may not look it, but it was packed full of flavour.

But I definitely made the right choice for lunch – prawn machbous marinated in Middle Eastern spices, cooked with aromatic rice and topped with roasted pine nuts. They also had roasted chicken and all dishes came with a cos lettuce salad and melted chocolate mousse for dessert.

Just like in business, everything is served on fancy Royal Doulton china tableware.

I now completely understand why Emirates was voted as having the best premium economy cabin in the world.

The premium economy cabin is pretty lush. It’s also super quiet compared to economy.

Business class

I mean, it’s business class so it’s allvery, very lush and you feel it every single step of the way.

They have complimentary chauffeur-driven transfers but I did not take up this offer as I had already booked an Uber to the airport (and to be honest, I didn’t realise it was something until it was too late).

My business class seat.

Plenty of space.

Just like premium, you also have your own check-in lane and the whole process takes less than two minutes, so you’re on your way to security in no time.

When it came time for boarding, I was swiftly escorted to my seat and was blown away by the level of luxury.

The first thing I did was locate the recline button to suss out what exactly we were dealing with here. And I can confirm it reclines to a fully flat lay bed and even comes with a soft, comfy mattress and a cosy blanket.

I immediately located the recline button and can confirm it is a full, flat lay bed.

There are 76 business class seats on the A380 – and while it seems like a lot, it was surprisingly very quiet.

Just like in premium, you’re offered a beverage … and yes, I opted for my flying go-to, a Bloody Mary, and they quickly delivered.

It was an overnight flight, so we were offered the late-night dining menu and I went in for a cream of mushroom soup and the traditional Arabic mezze. Both were super tasty but the mezze plate was a standout from the hummous to the tabouleh and lamb kibbeh.

This is the late night dining menu.

And the light bites and brekkie menu.

They also had a light bites menu that included a tuna poke bowl and mee goreng, but by this stage I was pretty tired – and still needed to check out the famous on-board bar.

We were given a very fancy Bvlgari amenities kit that included perfume and my favourite, a hair-tie, and also super soft and comfy PJs.

I ended up being “one of those people” and decided to change into the PJs. I even went to the bar in them – a weird but fun experience.

I opted for the mushroom soup and the Arabic mezze – both were great but the mezze was amazing.

For brekkie it was a generous serving of bircher museli. So good.

I was surprised to discover there was only one other passenger taking advantage of the bar. I thought it would be packed, but given it was a pretty late flight, I can only assume either passengers had made their way to it before dinner, or were asleep.

They had plenty of drink options and endless snacks – and even had a lounge area to sit and enjoy your beverage.

As much as I wanted to order something, I was too buggered, so made my way back to my seat.

Sure enough, it was time to finally experience the “bed”. It took some time getting used to the fact I was in a “bed’” at 40,000-feet – and there was enough room to twist and turn.

These are the PJs you’re given.

Surprisingly, despite how tired I was, it took me a while to fall asleep. I put it down to being overtired and of course the excitement of being in business class. Nonetheless, I managed to get a solid sleep in the end and experienced no jet lag the following days.

The comfort is next level and you wake up feeling pretty fresh. For brekkie I opted for a (very generous serving) of bircher museli that came with fresh berries. Personally, I preferred it over the cheese omelette.

Also, you can plan ahead and order your main courses as early as 14 days and up to 24 hours before you fly.

And this is the bar – not bad, not bad at all. You share it with first class.

The verdict – the cost

There’s no denying business class on Emirates is up there when it comes to comfort, luxury and service.

It’s definitely something worth experiencing, if you can, once in your life – or better yet, if you have points, take advantage.

A one-way ticket costs around $7200 based on November 2024 prices and includes 40kg of checked-in luggage and two 7kg carry ons.

However, premium economy is something to consider, especially on long-haul flights as you’re still getting all the service, comforts and treatment of those in business – except of course for a flat lay bed.

In short, premium economy has all the same comforts of business class – minus the flat lay bed (and the lounge bar), and is much nicer to your wallet.

Considering how spacious and comfortable it is, it’s definitely an alternative without burning too much of a hole in your pocket. To be honest, I was very surprised by the comfort levels and even more impressed I could actually sleep.

So, for me personally – while business is of course great, when weighing up both classes, I would opt for premium economy for a long-haul flight as it still delivers on comfort and won’t make a huge dent in your wallet (if there’s two legs to your journey, I would just do it for the longer leg).

You’re looking at around $2873 for a one-way premium economy flight based on November prices from Sydney to Dubai and vice versa. It includes 35kg of checked luggage.

The extra leg room, bigger seats and gourmet menu makes a big difference, especially when comparing to economy.

This journalist was upgraded to business class by Emirates