Emirates adds premium economy to all JFK flights by year-end

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Global Industry News

Emirates adds premium economy to all JFK flights by year-end

Policy

Tim Clark, President of Emirates | Emirates Airlines

By Sky Industry News

Sep 15, 2025

Emirates will equip all of its Airbus A380 flights between Dubai International Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport with its premium economy cabin by the end of the year. Currently, only one of the airline’s three daily services on this route offers premium economy seating.

The expansion begins November 10, when Emirates introduces premium economy on its A380-operated flights from Dubai to JFK via Milan Malpensa Airport (EK205 and EK206). The final nonstop rotation (EK201 and EK202) will receive the upgraded cabin on December 1. Presently, only flights EK203 and EK204 are configured with premium economy.

"These additions will expand Emirates' network of destinations offering Premium Economy on its fleet of A380s, 777s, and A350 aircraft to 68 global points by March 2026, underscoring the airline's commitment to investing in the very best customer experience in the sky and adding more premium cabin options, consistency, and choice across geographies," Emirates said in a statement.

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This change also benefits passengers traveling between Dubai and JFK who transit through Milan Malpensa. With this update, there will be two daily flights featuring premium economy in each direction from Milan Malpensa to Dubai International. Notably, Emirates’ service between Milan Malpensa and New York JFK is a fifth-freedom flight that can be booked independently of travel to or from the UAE. This route has been operating since 2013.

Emirates deploys its four-class Airbus A380s with premium economy seats on several major routes globally, including Sydney, Singapore, Osaka, Mumbai, and Bangalore.

Onboard Emirates’ Airbus A380s, the premium economy section contains 56 seats located at the front of the lower deck in a 2-4-2 configuration. Each seat offers a pitch of 40 inches and a width of 19.5 inches. The recline extends up to eight inches—double that found in standard economy class—and passengers have access to 13.3-inch entertainment screens as well as AC power outlets plus USB-A and USB-C charging ports.

Emirates operates as a full-service carrier with Dubai International Airport as its hub. The airline was founded in 1985 and is led by CEO Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.