This is Why I Hated Emirates Premium Economy Onboard Their New A350
Flight Review: Emirates Premium Economy A350 Dubai to Edinburgh
By Flight Expert Mr Plane Guy
I had to try the Emirates brand spanking new A350 from Dubai to Edinburgh, testing out what many call the Best Premium Economy in the sky. So, was it worth the hype? Let’s jet straight into it!
Flight Information DXB to EDI
Flight Number: EK23
Aircraft Model: A350-900 A6-EXA
Seat Configuration: 32 Business Class seats, 21 seats in Premium Economy, and 259
Flight Duration: 8 hours 09
Distance: 3,734 mi (Direct: 3,594 mi)
Firstly here are some FAQ's about flying Premium Economy with Emirates
What do you get in premium economy on Emirates?
Emirates' Premium Economy offers a range of enhanced features designed to provide a more comfortable and enjoyable experience compared to standard Economy class.
Key amenities include:
Upgraded dining experience on Royal Doultan china!
The seat in a private cabin with dedicated flight attendants
Priority Check in
A generous luggage allowance up to 10 kg (22 lb) of hand luggage and two checked bags each weighing up to 23 kg
Which routes have premium economy Emirates?
As of 2025, the airline introduced Premium Economy seating on six U.S. routes, including direct flights from Dubai to Chicago, Boston, Dallas Fort Worth, and Seattle.
Additionally, Premium Economy is available on routes such as Sydney to Dubai.
Dubai to London and Edinburgh.
Do you get lounge access with premium economy Emirates?
No, but don't worry I have a great deal for you! I used the Plaza Premium Lounge in Dubai and I also gained access to the Plaza Premium Lounge in Edinburgh. Check out my reviews here,
Exclusive Offer Sign up for Priority Pass and save 30% today!
What airline has the best premium economy in 2025?
As of the 2024 Skytrax World Airline Awards, Japan Airlines was named the World's Best Premium Economy Class Airline, with Emirates in second place and EVA Air in third.
Does Emirates A350 have Wifi?
Wi-Fi is available which is a great touch!
Booking Emirates Flights & The Pre-Flight Experience
Before we even get to the flight itself, let’s talk about the booking process. Emirates markets their Premium Economy as a true step up from Economy rather than a "budget Business Class." The pricing reflects that – often costing double the price of Economy but still significantly less than Business Class. I booked directly through Emirates' website, which was smooth as always, and selected my seat in advance. I opted for 16F with just 21 Premium economy seats in the cabin onboard the A350 and most were already booked out! My ticket costing just over £800 one way.
You can also earn miles through Emirates Skywards loyalty programme, now I am a huge AVIOS fan and collector so don't forget to use a card to also gain your AVIOS points, I have assigned an additional card on my Avios account and used that to book the flight.
TOP TIP :You can also link all of your payment cards to your Avios account
At check-in at DXB Dubai terminal 3, there was a dedicated Premium Economy section, with no queues at all unlike Emirates economy! This was a great first impression and a nice little bonus already!
Boarding, was smooth, yet Premium Economy passengers boarded with economy no separate queues or signs here. Now, let’s talk about luggage allowance for Emirates Premium Economy passengers.
Emirates' Premium Economy Class passengers can bring up to 10 kg (22 lb) of hand luggage and two checked bags each weighing up to 23 kg.
Hand luggage
Weight: Up to 10 kg (22 lb)
Dimensions: 55 cm x 38 cm x 22 cm (22 in x 15 in x 8 in)
Checked luggage
Weight: Up to 23 kg each
Number of bags: Two
Cabin Max Bags are perfect hand luggage for Emirates. Full details are here.
A350 Premium Economy Seat – Genuinely Impressive
The actual seat onboard the A350 is gorgeous. Think of it as a fancy recliner in an over priced brand new RV camper van (top of the range of course). It’s wide, reclines well, and has an excellent leg rest—basically, an Emirates economy seat from twenty years ago!
Legroom? Plenty, comfort? Absolutely. The seat width felt great, even for someone with my size ass! Cheeky!
The Emirates A350 Premium Economy seats have a pitch of 40 inches (101.6 cm) and a recline of 8 inches (20 cm). The seats are 19.5 inches (50 cm) wide.
Leg rests
Foot bar
Adjustable head rests
USB ports
Side table
In-seat charging points
Also in the last row in Premium Economy onboard the A350-900 where I was in 16F, you can fully recline all flight without feeling guilty, as it has the bulkhead behind this row, the wall separating Premium Economy from Economy.
One thing to note: I didn’t love the location of the seat. The Premium Economy cabin is small, just three rows, and positioned right between Economy and Business. The front row can have a couple of infants due to bassinet placements, and the first row of Economy also tends to have infants for the same reason. That meant I was sandwiched between lots of crying babies for the entire eight-hour flight. Now, I love infants, they’re adorable, and I fully appreciate how tricky it is to fly with them. But back-to-back crying for seven hours? That was hell. Emirates should at least hand out free earplugs, but they don’t on this particular route.
Infact they give out toys to the infants and also walk around with a Polaroid and take photos of them.
The advantage of this for travelling families, no need to stress if a child cries during long flight as all parents and babies are together and can trigger each other and its all contained in one little area of the plane! However I think Emirates should change the name to 'Premium Nursery'
A350 Cabin – A Step Above Economy
The Premium Economy cabin itself feels exclusive, with just 21 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. The colour scheme is sleek, and the lighting gives it a more relaxed atmosphere than Economy. It’s immaculate, polished, and certainly feels a level above standard Economy.
Emirates A350 Inflight Service – A Bit Robotic
The cabin crew were efficient, but there was a slight lack of warmth. They did their job well, but it felt scripted rather than personal. There were no friendly chats or extra efforts to make passengers feel special, which is a shame considering how excellent Emirates service usually is. As a former cabin crew member, I got the impression that Emirates runs on a strict top-down hierarchy, and it almost felt a bit toxic and militant.
That being said, one major benefit was the dedicated service: with only 21 seats in Premium Economy, having two crew members meant quick service and regular drink rounds. I never had to wait long for anything, which is rare even in Business Class on some airlines.
Emirates Catering – Excellent, But Limited Choices
The food itself was so good! The meal presentation was good, and the quality was noticeably better than Economy. However, sitting in the last row, I overheard two passengers being told their meal choice was unavailable. With only two meal options, you have to be a bit flexible if you’re at the back of the cabin. A small downside, but worth noting if you have dietary preferences or strong feelings about your in-flight dinner.
On the plus side, the drinks flowed freely, and the crew did multiple drink runs, so staying hydrated (or slightly tipsy) was never an issue.
Emirates inflight catering, I opted for the Butter Chicken, which was delicious.
Emirates A350 The Entertainment – Surprisingly Lacking
Emirates’ ICE system is usually top-tier, but on this flight, I struggled to be entertained. The screen was crisp, but the interface was sluggish, and some content didn’t load properly. A rare miss from Emirates, but one that stood out given their reputation.
To make matters worse, I had issues watching a series (Mandy). It was hilarious, but every time I tried to select a new episode, it would restart from the first one, after another round of ads. And speaking of ads, there were a lot. I struggled to find any films or shows that appealed to me, which was disappointing.
Does Emirates A350 have Wifi?
Wi-Fi was available which was a great touch!
USB ports: Each seat has a 60-watt USB-C port
IFE displays: The IFE displays have a USB-A and USB-C port
4K HD screen: Each seat has a 4K HD screen
Bluetooth pairing: The screens have a dual headset Bluetooth pairing option
Touchscreen call bell: The IFE system has a touchscreen call bell for cabin crew service
In-flight menu: The IFE system allows you to view your inflight menu on your screen
Eye comfort mode: The IFE system has an eye comfort mode to reduce blue light exposure
Emirates A350 Washrooms –This isn't Ryanair!
Now, I don’t usually rave about airplane bathrooms, but these were something else. Spacious, beautifully designed, and more like what you’d find in a top London hotel rather than an airplane. Emirates has really stepped up their game in this department, and it’s a surprising highlight of the flight. Would I fly with Emirates again because the toilets were so nice? No, they should splash the cash on some ear plugs for this cabin.
Emirates and Families – A Perfect Match (But Not for Me)
Emirates is an extremely family-friendly airline. Before takeoff, crew members were going around taking Polaroids of children and handing out toys, which was a lovely touch. Many of the families on my flight were transiting from Australia, meaning the kids were exhausted and cranky. I completely understand why, but it definitely affected the experience in such a small, enclosed Premium Economy cabin.
Arrival Experience – A Long Wait
After an exhausting flight with tinitus ,from screaming children I was hoping for a quick exit from Edinburgh Airport, but that didn’t happen. I waited 50 minutes for my luggage, which was frustrating and not what you want after a long-haul journey.
For more details on Airport lounges, check out my reviews of the Plaza Premium Lounge in Dubai
and the Plaza Premium Lounge in Edinburgh.
How Does Emirates A350 Compare to Other Airlines?
Compared to British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, Emirates' Premium Economy feels significantly more polished. The seat is better designed, the cabin is more luxurious, and the overall experience feels like a proper step up from Economy.
Love an Airport Lounge? I have just the thing for you!
If you’re a frequent traveller with a Priority Pass or certain premium credit cards (such as American Express Platinum), you might already have complimentary access.
What is Priority Pass?
Priority Pass is your golden ticket to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, including the amazing Plaza Premium Lounge Dubai! Membership plans start from as little as £69 per year, but with my exclusive 30% discount, you can get started for just £48! Use my link below to sign up (yes, I do get a small kickback, and I appreciate your support).
Emirates A350 The Verdict – Would I Book Again?
Honestly? No.
The seat is fantastic, the service efficient, and the experience overall was premium. But, the robotic crew, limited meal availability, underwhelming entertainment, and being stuck between crying babies for eight hours didn’t quite justify the price. If you find a cheap upgrade, go for it. But at full price? I’d save my money or just go all-in on Business Class. Or stick to Economy and purchase an extra leg room and bring your own fancy food onboard!
Would love to hear your thoughts! Have you flown Emirates Premium Economy? Let me know in the comments.
Here is my video review and don't forget to follow!
Related Links:
How I Traveled Business Class on Qatar Airways for Less Than £250
24 Hours in Doha: A Guide to Making the Most of Your Stopover
Qatar Airways Business Class Review
Is the Plaza Premium Lounge at Heathrow T4 Worth the Hype? Find out HERE
Exploring Edinburgh: What are the Top 5 Must-Do Activities in the Scottish Capital?
Maximise Your Avios Points in 2025: The Ultimate Guide to Boosting Your Collection
You can also book Airport lounges Via Holiday Extras, they are the ultimate go to for Airport Lounges, Airport Parking, transfers from the airport, Take a look.
Hand luggage allowance for Emirates Premium Economy
Weight: Up to 10 kg (22 lb)
Dimensions: 55 cm x 38 cm x 22 cm (22 in x 15 in x 8 in)
Checked in luggage allowance for Emirates Premium Economy
Weight: Up to 23 kg each
Number of bags: Two
Cabin Max anode perfect fir for Emirates Premium Economy Hand Luggage rules:
Size: 55 x 40 x 23 cm (including handles and wheels). making it just under the Emirates rule measurements, so the perfect fit for Emirates Hand Luggage for Premium Economy.
Weight: Max 10 kg. The cabin Max anode is super light as its made from durable and hard-wearing ABS material.
Cost: Included with Emirates Premium Economy
Placement: Stored in the overhead compartment.
Recommended Trolley Bag
Cabin Max Anode 40L Cabin Suitcase: Is perfect as hand luggage for Emirates Premium Economy, this trolley bag is a great choice. It’s lightweight, has 360-degree spinning wheels, and offers plenty of room for a short trip.
I've been using the Cabin Max Anode for around a year and its the perfect fit for so many airlines carry on even Ryanair Priority, Wizz Priority and I usually pay a little extra for flying Easyjet for the paid hand luggage allowance to carry it onboard and the Cabin Max Anode 40L is the perfect fit!.
For those who need more space, the Cabin Max Anode 40L is a fantastic option.
Spacious and Lightweight: Perfect for trips up to 7 days, with enough room for clothing, toiletries, and extras.
Durable and Stylish: Available in various colours, so you can travel in style.
Convenient for carry on. No worries about your bag arriving separately, as you can keep it with you.
It comes in so many colours!!
Emirates Baggage Options
For longer trips or heavier packing, Emirates offers a variety of checked-in baggage options. You can take up to two bags up to 23kg's each!
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Airport Car Parking deals for flying with Emirates
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Hello I’m Paul a travel and flight expert, I spent most of my career working in and around planes with 15 years providing top-notch service with a London-based airline. I became an expert in travel after soaring across the Atlantic up to 10 times a month!
I’m now, producing travel content, reaching millions of viewers monthly. Reporting on travel news, sharing travel tips, reviews, and deals with a sprinkle of humour and a whole lot of authenticity!
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