EMIRATES: new A350 ‘S Lounge’ Business Class. Yawn, no doors to be seen here!

Emirates has just unveiled its first Airbus A350-900 at a glitzy event in Dubai. This is the first time since 2008 that Emirates has introduced a new aircraft type. Up until now, its fleet has consisted of A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

Notable figures such as Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, and His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, attended the event. However, the much-anticipated reveal left some airline industry observers underwhelmed, particularly regarding the Business ‘S Lounge’ cabin.

The Emirates A350 aircraft

The Emirates A350 aircraft features 312 seats across three cabin classes: 32 in Business Class, 21 in Premium Economy, and 259 in Economy Class. Emirates aimed to enhance passenger experience and operational efficiency with this new aircraft and cabin products. However, the Business Class, often the main attraction for frequent flyers and business travellers, has not quite met expectations.

Business Class: A Missed Opportunity?

The A350’s Business Class is configured with 32 lie-flat seats arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, promising privacy, but not delivering doors to assure that privacy. Despite the airline’s efforts to elevate the passenger experience, some features have been met with scepticism. While Emirates claims the luxurious Mercedes ‘S Class’ inspires the seats, they fall short of offering a truly groundbreaking experience. Business Class does however include amenities such as wireless charging, but this is not innovation, this is now a standard of new Business Class cabins.

Many travelers anticipated a more innovative approach, particularly from an airline known for its luxury offerings. The new Business Class seats, although reportedly comfortable, seem to lack the cutting-edge features that some competitors have introduced, such as enclosed suites or additional personal space.

Mixed Reactions to Cabin Design

The A350’s interior design includes the Emirates’ signature bronze and gold colors, complemented by cream leather and wood grain finishes. Thank heavens they have got rid of that nasty wavy pale blue pattern at the back of the seats.

While the design is sophisticated, it has not elicited the “wow” expected from a brand known for opulence. The mood lighting and spacious feel of the aircraft’s cabins are pleasant but not ‘ground-breaking’.

Technological Advancements and Connectivity

Emirates has incorporated several technological upgrades in the A350. These include a next-generation inflight entertainment system with 4K displays and enhanced connectivity options through ViaSat’s Global Xpress satellite network.

Looking Ahead: Emirates’ Fleet Expansion

Despite the mixed reactions, Emirates remains optimistic about its A350’s role in the fleet. The aircraft’s range, efficiency, and flexibility are expected to open new routes and markets for the airline. The A350 will be deployed on both regional and ultra-long-haul routes, with its inaugural flight scheduled for Edinburgh on 3 January 2025.

A total of 65 new A350s have been ordered to join the Emirates fleet. Here is a summary of the cabin enhancements.

2PAXfly Takeout

While the unveiling of the Airbus A350-900 marks a significant milestone for Emirates, the Business Class cabin has not met expectations. It’s not really up to par with the current and prospective Business Class cabins of Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways.

It doesn’t even look like it will rival its neighbour Riyadh Airs planned 2025 ‘Mercedes Maybach’ Business Class cabin. I think Emirates has dropped the ball here, or maybe caught in a pandemic-related time warp, where the cabins were designed and ordered before doors in Business Class became standard.