Dubai: Emirates is putting the finishing touches on its new premium cabin offering that will replace first class on its Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s.
“It is at the last stage of production, so we will have to wait and see [for a launch date to be announced],” Shaikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Division Senior Vice-President, Commercial Operations — Centre, told reporters at a press conference on Thursday at Emirates Group’s headquarters in Dubai.
Emirates President Tim Clark said last year the airline is working on a new bedroom product that will provide passengers with more privacy.
The product will fit one passenger and be similar to a private railway cabin, Shaikh Majid said earlier this year. It is scheduled to be initially rolled out on the airline’s fleet of A380 aircraft, followed by its Boeing 777s.
Emirates has not released the pricing for its new premium offering but Shaikh Majid said in the past it will be “commercially viable” and “almost the same” as its current first class tickets.
Pressed on when Emirates could possibly unveil the new premium cabin, Shaikh Majid declined to comment. “We have to wait for the official announcement from the team,” he said.
In May, Shaikh Majid said development of the cabin was in its final stage and that “hopefully” it will be unveiled this year.
Etihad Airways last year revealed its three-room suite “The Residence” on board its A380s. The suite, which fits two passengers and comes with its very own butler, cost $20,000 one-way from Abu Dhabi to London.
