Emirates will bring its highly-regarded Premium Economy seats to India from October 2023.
Mumbai and Bengaluru
Starting 29th October 2023, Emirates will operate retrofitted Airbus A380 aircraft on flights to Mumbai and Bengaluru, the only two cities to see scheduled Emirates A380 operations. Along with the new Premium Economy cabin, the retrofitted A380s also feature refreshed interiors across all other classes of service – First, Business and Economy.
Flights EK500/501 to/from Mumbai and flights EK568/569 to/from Bengaluru which are currently operated daily by A380 aircraft will see the introduction of Emirates Premium Economy cabin to India.
Mumbai schedule:
- Dubai-Mumbai
- Departure time: 21:50
- Arrival time: 02:15 (the next day)
- Flight time: 2 hours and 55 minutes
- Flight number: EK500
- Mumbai-Dubai
- Departure time: 04:15
- Arrival time: 06:05
- Flight time: 3 hours and 20 minutes
- Flight number: EK501
Bengaluru schedule:
- Dubai-Bengaluru
- Departure time: 21:25
- Arrival time: 02:30 (the next day)
- Flight time: 3 hours and 35 minutes
- Flight number: EK568
- Bengaluru-Dubai
- Departure time: 04:30
- Arrival time: 07:10
- Flight time: 4 hours and 10 minutes
- Flight number: EK500
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Emirates is yet to start retrofitting its Boeing B777 fleet. All of its other destinations in India are served by its B777 aircraft. Hence, Mumbai and Bengaluru are the first ones to receive the Premium Economy cabin.
Premium Economy already features on flights to nine destinations globally, including New York JFK, San Francisco and Houston in United States, in addition to London Heathrow, Sydney, Auckland, Christchurch, Melbourne and Singapore. In July, Los Angeles will be added to this list, bringing the number of routes offering the distinctive product to 12 by the end of 2023, including Mumbai and Bengaluru.
In addition to the introduction of Premium Economy on the retrofitted aircraft, passengers across all cabins can enjoy the refreshed interiors which sport Emirates’ signature ghaf tree motif. The refurbishments and aesthetic enhancements that can be enjoyed by passengers on their journeys on the retrofitted A380 aircraft include a blend of beautiful designs and new colour palettes, evident throughout the aircraft, in the carpeting, wall panels, and wood finishings.
Emirates launched its services to India in October 1985, from Dubai to Delhi and Mumbai which formed the base of its initial route network. Since then, Emirates has grown its India operations to serve a total of nine destinations across the country including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram.
Meanwhile, Emirates recently announced free unlimited Wi-Fi for all passengers.
Featured image by Emirates
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