Emirates is the latest carrier to unveil a new high-end premium product, as Richard Schuurman reports.
In the never-ending race for more luxurious premium cabins, Emirates unveiled the latest incarnation of its First Class Suite at last year’s Dubai Air Show. It will initially be rolled out on just nine Boeing 777-300ERs the carrier still has on order, but will also feature on the 777Xs due for delivery from 2020.
The new product has been a long time in the making. “This has been a four-year journey in interior design”, the airline’s President, Sir Tim Clark, explained. “In 2013 the regulators didn’t allow suites like this. There were multiple challenges, including passenger exits [in emergency situations].” Sir Tim had a firm vision for the cabin, but it took the experience of Pierrejean Design Studio, Panasonic, Teague and prime contractor Rockwell Collins to turn his ideas into reality. A new player in the aviation industry, Mercedes-Benz, also played an important role. “When we approached them in 2014 they were willing to assist”, revealed Sir Tim. “They have done the soft leather seats, mood lighting and high-tech control panels, inspired by their S-Class.”
The first 777 fitted with the new offer…
