Emirates has delayed the delivery of its Airbus A350 aircraft, which was initially expected to be flying by now. However, the airline has made a significant milestone with the arrival of its first A350, A6-EXA, on November 25, 2024.
The A350 is the first new aircraft type to join Emirates’ fleet since 2008.
This is the first of 65 A350s Emirates will receive in the coming years. They are all the A350-900 versions.
The aircraft was flown from Toulouse to Dubai on November 25, 2024, marking the beginning of its journey before entering service in January 2025. It’s first destination will be Edinburgh on the 3rd January 2025.
Does the Emirates A350-900 Have First Class?
Not this variant. On board the A350-900 new Emirates there are three classes. Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class. Emirates has ordered 64 of these A350-900’s and First class will not be added down the track. That’s unlike the configurations of their other aircrafts. For example Emirates 777-300 have four different configurations spanning from 2 class through to 4 class. Similarly Emirates A380-800 also has a few variants.
Emirates A350 900 Seat Map
Emirates A350 Seat Map and Configurations
The Emirates A350 comes with advanced features and a luxurious onboard experience. It is designed for comfort, with more spacious cabins, including high ceilings and wider aisles. In all classes, the A350 offers a serene and relaxing atmosphere, highlighted by the elegant Ghaf tree motifs and the signature bronze and gold touches of Emirates. The aircraft’s interior includes mood lighting, creating a soothing environment for passengers.
- Business Class has 32 luxurious leather “S Lounge” seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. Each seat offers a 44-inch pitch and a 21-inch width, complete with a 20-inch 4K screen for entertainment. The seats are inspired by the Mercedes S Class and feature lie-flat functionality.
- Premium Economy offers 28 seats on long-haul flights and 21 seats on regional aircrafts (with a 2-3-2 configuration). The seat pitch is 39 inches with a width of 19.5 inches. Each seat comes with a 13.3-inch 4K screen for entertainment and a six-way adjustable headrest, providing extra comfort.
- Economy Class 238 seats on long haul flights and 259 on regional aircrafts are in light blue with luxurious bronze armrests. The seat pitch ranges from 31 to 32 inches, and the seat width is 18.4 inches. A 13.3-inch 4K screen is available for each passenger, offering access to the award-winning ice inflight entertainment system.
Emirates A350 900 Enhanced Comfort Features
Passengers will notice a quieter cabin on the Emirates A350, which is known as the most fuel-efficient widebody aircraft in its class. This makes for a peaceful flight experience. The A350 also features a more spacious galley and larger overhead storage, giving passengers more room to stretch their legs and store their items.
The aircraft’s new headrest design will also improve comfort, especially in Economy Class, where passengers will enjoy better neck support. Emirates aims to offer better customer experience through the following latest features:
- Next Gen Inflight Entertainment – 6,500 channels of on demand entertainment with over 2,500 movies and 650 TV Shows and box sets.
- Faster Wifi
- Electric blinds operated with a touch of a button
- Business class will have Wireless Charging stations
- Business class will also have a snack display area
- No overhead lockers in the middle row of business class
- Individual Air Outlet in business class just under the screen
- The call bell buttons for cabin crew will be touchscreen
- Inflight Menus to be on screen as well as magazines and newspapers going digital
- Five Aircraft Camera views together with an improved live map experience
- 60 Watt USB-C Charging in every seat (that’s powerful enough to charge a laptop)
Emirates A350 900 Onboard Dining and Entertainment
The Emirates A350 will continue the airline’s reputation for excellent in-flight dining. Business Class passengers will enjoy gourmet meals paired with Moët & Chandon champagne, while Premium Economy passengers will have access to a selection of fine meals and exclusive beverages like Chandon Vintage Brut 2017. Economy passengers will also enjoy generous meals with options for children.
The ICE inflight entertainment system will also feature the latest technology, including 4K screens, a vast media library, and a new “eye comfort mode” to reduce blue light exposure. If you are a family and travelling with kids then you will appreciate the updated interface for kids and enhanced parental controls for a family-friendly experience.
Complimentary Snacks
Emirates A350 will offer enhanced snack options across all classes.
Business Class customers will have a minibar with still and sparkling water, plus two snack packs (sweet and savory), along with a dedicated snack display at the back of the cabin offering fresh fruit, sandwiches, and sweet treats. (BUT its sits directly behind seats 8D and 8G, 🥴 so I would be staying clear of these seats.)
Premium Economy passengers will receive a snack service on long-haul flights.
Economy Class customers can access complimentary snacks at a newly designed island in the galley area during long-haul flights.
Future Plans and New Destinations
The first Emirates A350 flights are scheduled for January 2025, with services to Edinburgh, followed by Bahrain, Kuwait, Muscat, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Colombo, Bologna, and Lyon. Emirates plans to gradually roll out the A350 on these and additional long-haul routes as part of their strategy to expand service with this highly advanced aircraft. Here are the dates:
Edinburgh January 3rd, 2025
Bahrain February 1, 2025
Kuwait February 1, 2025
Ahmedabad February 1, 2025
Mumbai February 1, 2025
Lyon March 1, 2025
Colombo March 1, 2025
Bologna March 15, 2025
As the first of many to come, the Emirates A350 is designed to deliver the very best in both comfort and technology, but does it set a new standard for air travel?
Final Words
As one of the top airlines in the world, the unveiling of Emirates’ A350 feels a tad underwhelming. I would have thought the success of the Qsuites from Qatar would have pushed Emirates in that direction but even better. Especially since they arent offering first class. In fact the next gen Qsuites by Qatar are simply superb and revolutionary.
Even other airlines have followed suit. For example, compared to Japan Airlines A350 who have already introduced business class Suites onboard, Emirates A350 feels quite ordinary. Perhaps even similar to their recent retro fitted A380’s and 777’s. There is nothing revolutionary that we’re used to seeing from Emirates. In addition, many were hoping for a new first-class cabin, like the Emirates Game Changer seen on only a handful of 777-300ERs. Let’s hope future configurations bring something more exciting.
As a frequent Emirates passenger, I’ve noticed the rising cost of tickets and the shift to a 3:1 miles redemption rate transferring Amex points to Emirates. Given these changes, it would be great to see additional value for the money spent. I’m not seeing this with the unveiling of the A350 900. However, it still is a beautifully designed aircraft and the colour palette is stunning.
Finally, if you’re getting ready to travel and need a hand packing download this ultimate travel packing list for some helpful tips you may not have considered!
Happy travels!
