Emirates has unveiled a new fully electrically adjustable Premium Economy seat that will debut on newly delivered Airbus A350s, adding a powered full-height privacy divider between every seat.
The Dubai-based airline described the product as the world's first electrically powered Premium Economy seat. However, electrically adjustable seats are not entirely new to the cabin class.
Japan Airlines introduced electric reclining in Premium Economy aboard its Airbus A350-1000 in 2024. When the cabin was unveiled in 2023, JAL described it as the world's first Premium Economy product with electrically operated reclining. Its Safran Seats product also features an electrically adjustable legrest.
Emirates' more distinctive innovation is the privacy divider. The airline says the electrically operated screen, which extends to the full height of the seat and can be individually raised, lowered and locked into position, is a first for Premium Economy.
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September 03, 2026
Passengers can also electrically adjust the seat itself through a control unit, including preset lounge and meal positions.
28 seats on the A350
The new product will be installed in a 28-seat Premium Economy cabin on newly delivered Emirates A350s, arranged seven-abreast in a 2-3-2 configuration.
Each seat is 20 inches (50.8 cm) wide and offers up to 39 inches (99 cm) of pitch. Emirates uses a cradle-style reclining mechanism that moves within the seat's own space rather than reclining the backrest toward the passenger behind.
The seats also receive Safran Seats' U-Dream adjustable headrest, while the footrest remains manually operated.
Other additions include wireless device charging, USB-C ports and a tray table incorporating a phone holder. Each passenger has a 13.3-inch 4K HDR touchscreen for Emirates' ice inflight entertainment system.
Newly delivered A350s will also provide additional external camera views, with left- and right-facing cameras joining the existing forward and downward views.
Emirates expands Premium Economy
Emirates introduced Premium Economy commercially in 2022 after initially installing the cabin on newly delivered Airbus A380s. The product has since been expanded through the airline's retrofit program and introduced on its A350 fleet.
On the A350, Emirates has opted for a relatively small 28-seat cabin compared with the aircraft's Economy section, retaining the 2-3-2 layout traditionally associated with Premium Economy on the type.
The new electrically adjustable version will initially be limited to newly delivered A350s. Emirates did not say whether existing A350s or aircraft undergoing cabin retrofits will eventually receive the new seats.
The airline's claim of a world first therefore applies more clearly to the electrically adjustable full-height privacy divider than to powered Premium Economy seat adjustment itself.
