If you looked at photos of commercial flying decades ago, it’s images of silverware, multi-course meals, and elegant attire. But, that Golden Age of flying is now a mere remnant of the past as cramped seats, bags of nuts and hostile attitudes have taken over. Even the most seasoned travelers were scared off by what happened this summer. At this point, airlines are looking for any way they can to cut costs, resulting in a stressful journey for passengers. But Emirates is on a mission to make it one of the most enjoyable experiences again.
Despite staff shortages and airline losses caused by the pandemic, demand for flying is exceeding 2019 levels now. Even this past summer, airlines like Delta made $735 million in just three months. But little has changed in terms of service, with the same meal options and an array of add-ons. Not to mention, airplane seats feel as if they’re shrinking.
But the United Arab Emirates-based airline, as Forbes reports, which faced the same pandemic hurdles as other airlines, opted to invest $2 billion in new menus, seating, and more.
“While others respond to industry pressures with cost cuts, Emirates is flying against the grain and investing to deliver ever better experiences to our customers,” Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, said in a statement. “Through the pandemic, we’ve continued to launch new services and initiatives to ensure our customers travel with assurance and ease, including digital initiatives to improve customer experiences on the ground. Now we’re rolling out a series of intensive programs to take Emirates’ signature inflight experiences to the next level.”
Perhaps Emirates’ most distinguishable amenities are the A380 shower spas, perfect for an inflight refresh for First Class passengers, and the A380’s full-service onboard bar and lounge, available to First and Business Class passengers. In addition, as the only airline with an exclusive agreement to offer luxury champagne brand Dom Pérignon on board, passengers flying in First Class have a choice of handpicked vintages to choose from during their flight. They also have a dine-on-demand menu, where they can order chef-curated dishes at any point on their flight. That includes vegan options with ingredients sourced from the Emirates-owned vertical farm ‘Bustanica,’ and a cinema-in-the-sky menu of movie snacks like sliders and lobster rolls.
“Providing an unmatched customer experience is one of our main priorities, and the recent $2 billion investment is a testament to how we are always taking our’ fly better’ promise to the next level,” Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Divisional Vice President, USA, and Canada, told me. “Emirates plans to deliver more enhancements to ensure our customers travel with assurance and ease and receive the highest level of hospitality.”
When the airline’s recently announced retrofit is completed in April 2025, 4,000 Premium Economy seats will be installed, 728 First Class suites will be refurbished on its A380s and 272 on its Boeing 777s, and more than 6,000 Business Class seats will be updated to new designs and styles. The highly anticipated Premium Economy class cabin will begin flying from New York (JFK) on December 15 and San Francisco (SFO) on February 15.
“Emirates is going against the grain to deliver the highest level of service to its customers without compromising quality,” said Ahmad. “The level of luxury amenities onboard and exclusive partnerships with established brands such as Dalmore Distillery, Dom Perignon, Bvlgari, and more make Emirates a trailblazer in the hospitality industry.”
