‘Wrap around sound’: Emirates’ boss reveals epic new economy feature

Emirates’ president has revealed the huge international airline is working on something special for its new economy cabins.

It appears Emirates economy passengers could be treated to gamechanging new technology that removes the need for entertainment headsets as early as this year.

The airline’s president, Sir Tim Clark, told news.com.au they are working to get “wrap around sound” on its new A350s, the first of which arrives in August.

The interiors are yet to be revealed publicly and Emirates is tight-lipped on the details, but news.com.au understands this could mean similar built-in headrest speakers to those just launched by Japan Airlines in a world-first.

Japan Airlines unveiled its cabin interiors for its new A350-1000 aircraft in October, featuring “the world’s first headphone-free stereo with built-in headrest speakers” in First Class and Business Class.

The aircraft was introduced to its Tokyo – New York route this month.

When visiting Australia on Friday, Sir Tim told news.com.au while “there’s only so much you can do when you’re sitting in seats,” the improvements keep coming, including “wrap around sound”.

“We’re trying to get it into the 350s, We’ve just got some certification issues – but those will be in economy if we get them,” he said.

Japan Airline's built-in headrest speakers are in First Class and Business Class on its new A350-1000 aircraft. Picture: Japan Airlines

On top of the A350s, Emirates will have its new Boeing 777-9 aircraft arrive from October next year.

Sir Tim said Emirates were giving its older planes makeovers too, expanding its popular Premium Economy offering.

“We are removing the old products as quickly as we can [and] gutting the aeroplanes, so the 232 Business Class will go eventually, it will just be 121, which is quite painful to the bottom line because we take out chunks of Business Class seats, but nevertheless we’re going to standardise that,” he explained.

He said 150 aircraft were being retrofitted to “restore everything to a common platform of product”, which will became the new benchmark they will build on.

“Like everybody else, we are looking at what the future will be in the next 10-15 years, which will post date even these improvements. There’s a lot going on.”

Emirates’ newly retrofitted A380 with Premium Economy. Picture: Emirates

Australians can book the latest Premium Economy seats on a four-class Emirates A380 flying from Melbourne or Sydney.

“We really gilded the lily on that by on the main deck of the 380 putting 56 Premium Economy seats in, really dressed the cabin up,” Sir Tim said.

“They’ve got three toilets to themselves, they’ve got their own galley. Every flight there’s a party down there because you’ve got places to walk around. We have additional cabin crew.

“It’s clearly very popular, particularly on the Aussie run.”

For Sydney travellers, the cabin is available daily on flight EK412/EK413, as well as on EK414/EK415.

For Melbourne travellers, it’s available on EK406/EK407, and EK408/EK409 from February 1.

Emirates is increasing its services to Australia this year. Picture: Emirates

Emirates announced on Friday, it will be increasing its operations in Australia, adding 250,000 seats per year between Perth and Dubai, and 100,000 seats from Brisbane.

It is doing this by upgrading its second daily flight (EK430/431) between Dubai and Brisbane from a Boeing 777-300ER to an A380 starting from October, and adding a second daily service between Dubai and Perth operated by a Boeing 777-300ER starting from December.

Australians can fly with Emirates to destinations in Europe and the Middle East via Dubai.

Brisbane Airport chief executive officer Gert-Jan de Graaff said Emirates was its “number one mover of people” to and from Europe.

“The A380 will allow up to 100,000 extra passengers per year to travel between Queensland and Europe, which is Brisbane’s second busiest international destination,” he said in a statement.