THE FLIGHT
On the first leg of a more than 7,700-mile journey to the Onboard Hospitality Forum-Asia, I travelled with Emirates on flight EK0024 from Edinburgh to Dubai in their Premium Economy cabin.
Emirates introduced Premium Economy on the route in January 2025, when its Airbus A350-900 started flying. A total of 21 Premium Economy seats are available in a 2-3-2 configuration.
Taking off from the Scottish capital at 8.55 pm, the flight touched down on time in Dubai seven hours and 10 minutes later, at 8.05 am local time.
THE CHECK-IN
Emirates’ online check-in opens 48 hours before scheduled departures. I checked in about 36 hours ahead of taking off using my mobile phone.
The process was pleasantly straightforward. Having already supplied most of the information needed, all I had to do was add emergency contact details.
To reach Edinburgh Airport after taking a train to Waverley Station, I boarded a tram at St Andrew Square. The journey was smooth, scenic and took 35 minutes, dropping me outside the terminal building.
With two separate tickets for my journey to Singapore, I thought I might have to collect my suitcase in Dubai and recheck it. However, the assistant at the baggage drop quickly took care of that, checking it all the way to Singapore.
Relaxed, I headed into the terminal so that I could watch Sunderland take on Arsenal in the day’s top-of-the-table Premier League clash before departing.
THE SEAT
My seat, 16F, was in the third row of the subtly illuminated Premium Economy cabin with a pinkish-golden glow.
The cream-coloured leather seats have a footrest and recline up to eight inches, making them ideal for overnight flights. With a pitch of 40 inches between seats, ample room was available for me to stretch out during the overnight flight to Dubai and feel comfortable.
The seating offered a relatively broad armrest between me and my neighbour. The stowable tray table had a smart, polished wood finish and offered ample space to work, using my laptop, before settling into a post-dinner snooze.
A 13.3-inch 4K HD screen was on the seatback in front of me. Using it, I could pair Emirates’ i – c – e inflight connectivity and entertainment system with my own Bose noise-cancelling headphones using Bluetooth rather than plugging in the pair supplied.
USB-C and USB-A charging ports were available below the screen, though I used neither, having charged my phone while watching the match in the airport.
Thoughtfully, a 500ml bottle of Harrogate Spring Water was in the seatback pouch in front of me.
A retractable peg for hanging a coat or jacket was on the left of the seat in front.
THE SERVICE
A cabin crew member called Veronica welcomed me to my seat, offering a choice of welcome drinks. I opted for a refreshing glass of minted lemon before she brought a hot towel
Veronica, from Sicily, was among a crew with 13 nationalities and capable of speaking 10 languages.
I selected the fish pie for dinner and was positively impressed by the flavours and textures of a meal served on Royal Doulton porcelain. It was accompanied by warm, cheese-topped focaccia bread and a glass of red wine. Jacob’s Cream Crackers, an individually packed portion of Cheddar cheese and Netherland Farm butter were also supplied.
Scanning i – c – e, I found a selection of films and TV shows that appealed. In addition to podcasts, live sport and recent movie releases, several classic films were available to watch, including The French Connection. However, I settled into watching The Assassin, a TV show normally available on Amazon Prime Video – so something I couldn’t watch at home, as I don’t subscribe.
After watching an episode, I signed into the complimentary onboard connectivity so that I could check the day’s sporting results and league standings. I also sent a couple of WhatsApp messages and checked social media, and was impressed by the system’s responsiveness.
My breakfast consisted of chopped fruit, a Mueller Vitality peach yoghurt, plus a warm croissant, Netherland Farm butter, a pot of Wilkin and Sons jam, a Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain bar and a cup of black coffee. It set me up well for a day of onward travel to Singapore and participation in the Onboard Hospitality Forum-Asia.
THE VERDICT
For me, at 6’ 4”, it’s all too common for my knees to brush the seat in front while flying Economy. That wasn’t the case on this flight, during which I enjoyed approximately six inches of clearance.
Overall, the experience of flying Premium Economy between Edinburgh and Dubai on the A350-900 was outstanding. It’s a cabin that I’d happily fly in again. With up to 35kgs of checked luggage, I had the option of carrying much more than I needed for my four-night business trip to Singapore.
THE DETAILS
Return Premium Economy flights between Edinburgh and Dubai are priced at £1,615 and can be booked via emirates.com.
