Emirates has well and truly pulled it out the bag, unveiling a much-anticipated brand new First Class suite for its newest Boeing 777-300 aircraft on the first day of the Dubai Air Show. Not only did Emirates reveal its new First Class product but the airline completely refreshed the interior of the aircraft in Business and Economy.
Long gone is the over the top bling – instead, Emirates says it has drawn inspiration from the luxury car manufacturer, Mercedes Benz. The gold excess has been replaced with subtle tones of ivory, cream and muted greys.
And it’s not just a cosmetic makeover – the new First Class suites are a lot bigger, having gone from a configuration of 1-2-1 to a spacious 40-feet of space, 1-1-1 layout. They also now fully enclosed, with 6 foot, 9-inch tall sliding doors and a service hatch so cabin crew can subtly deliver meals without disturbing passengers.
But wait – there’s even more. As we predicted earlier this year, Emirates has announced a major new aircraft order with Boeing. The airline says it has signed a commitment to buy 40 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners at a list price of $15.1 billion USD.
The 787-10 is the largest aircraft in the Dreamliner family but it offers 25% better fuel efficiency than the aircraft it will go on to replace. The new aircraft will join the Emirates fleet from 2022 in order to “power future growth” for the airline.
And while we’re still waiting to hear whether Emirates will announce a new order for more Airbus A380’s why not take a tour of the refreshed Boeing 777 and First Class Suite’s – along with a lot more information. Just keep scrolling…
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The All-New First Class Suite
- The new First Class cabin will feature just six suites in a 1-1-1 configuration.
- Each suite is fully enclosed and features controls to set individual lighting and temperature.
- Every suite offers 40-feet of room – the seat converts into a 78 inch long fully flat bed.
- Inside suites will have so-called ‘virtual windows’ – they’ll protect exactly whats happening outside using specially placed cameras.
- Emirates has developed a special ‘zero gravity’ seating position which is inspired by NASA technology.
- There will be plenty of space to stow personal items – each suite comes with a full-length wardrobe, overhead stowage, armrest stowage and even more storage space underneath the television.
- Talking of the television – it’s a 32-inch smart monitor and can be controlled used a 13-inch tablet or wireless handset
“Emirates pioneered the First Class private suite concept back in 2003, and today it’s the industry benchmark when it comes to first-class travel,” said Sir Tim Clark, the President of Emirates.
He continued: “Over the years we have continually improved on our private suites, adding thoughtful refinements and features. We are very excited about our new fully-enclosed suite which is a real game-changer in terms of privacy, comfort, and thoughtful luxury.”
“This is the first time an Emirates product has been so influenced by another luxury brand, but it is a natural fit as both Emirates and Mercedes-Benz have the same unwavering commitment to fine detail, uncompromising quality, and a drive to push the boundaries.”
The Refreshed Business Class Cabin
- Another cabin, inspired “by the interior of a modern sports car”, the Emirates Business Class cabin features the old style seat in a rather poor 2-3-2 configuration.
- The Boeing 777-300 will have 42 Business Class seats – each seat converts into a 78-inch fully flat bed.
- A new 23-inch ‘smart monitor’ will provide a full HD experience.
“An artistic motif representing the Ghaf (Prosopis cineraria) tree, is used as a design highlight throughout the aircraft. An indigenous evergreen plant, the Ghaf is a considered the national tree of the United Arab Emirates, and has deep cultural and ecological significance.”
A New Look Economy Cabin and Seat
- Up to 306 seats will feature in the Emirates Economy cabin – each seat is 17 inches wide and will allow for 33 inches of pitch.
- New USB charging ports will be included in every seat. The in-flight entertainment system will feature Bluetooth technology, 3D multiplayer gaming and an integrated high-resolution camera.
- The in-flight entertainment screen measures 13.3 inches and will offer up to 2,500 channels of entertainment.
The Emirates Boeing 777-300 refreshed seat map
The Newly Ordered Emirates Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner
Earlier this year, we predicted that Emirates would order the Boeing Dreamliner – the medium-sized twin-aisle aircraft is slightly smaller than the airline’s current fleet of Boeing 777’s which will allow Emirates better utilisation options.
On top of that, Emirates cabin crew, engineers and technicians are already trained in many of the components of the Dreamliner – so training and adapting to the new aircraft won’t be nearly as bad as taking on the A350.
“It has always been Emirates’ strategy to invest in the most advanced and efficient aircraft, and today’s orders reflect that. Today’s announcement also speaks to our confidence in the future of aviation in the UAE and the region,” commented Sheik Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Emirates.
Emirates says the deal will support 75,000 direct and indirect US jobs.
Stay tuned to hear whether Emirates has many more grand announcements during the course of the Dubai Air Show.
