Economy does the job, but let’s be honest, it’s not always the comfiest way to cross the globe. That’s where Emirates premium economy comes in. It’s designed for travellers who want more legroom, better meals, and a smoother ride, but don’t want to drop five figures on a business class seat. 

With up to 40 inches of legroom, leather seats, upgraded meals, and proper drinks, this is a seat you’ll actually want to sit in. And with flights from Aussie cities like Sydney and Melbourne heading to Dubai, Europe, and the US, it’s a solid option if you’re going the distance.

Premium economy is made for travellers who want a bit more breathing room, better service, and extras that take the edge off long-haul flying.

The seats are where premium economy really earns its name. You get up to 40 inches of seat pitch (compared to 32 inches in economy), and the seat itself is wider at up to 19.5 inches. Recline goes further, and there’s a calf rest and footrest built in. Even the tallest of us should be able to stretch out in comfort.

The cabin layout is 2-4-2 (or 2-3-2 on the A350), so fewer middle seats to deal with. Each seat comes with a large screen loaded with Emirates’ award-winning entertainment (yep, the one with 6,500 channels). Power outlets and USB ports are built in, so your devices stay juiced up the whole flight.

Forget the foil trays and plastic forks. In premium economy, meals are plated on Royal Doulton china and served with proper cutlery, linen napkins and all. Expect options like slow-cooked beef or fisherman’s pie, with fresh bread, cheese and crackers, and a proper dessert.

Interested in a drink? You can expect top-shelf choices. Premium economy passengers get access to wine, spirits, and bubbles from the business class list—Chandon sparkling included. If you’re flying long haul, this is where the upgrade starts paying off.

You get more room to pack with. Checked baggage allowance is around 35 kg in premium economy, about 10 to 15 kg more than most economy fares. The cabin bag limit jumps to 10 kg, too, giving you space for all the stuff you actually use on the flight.

We searched return flights from Australia and found premium economy is usually AU$2,300 - AU$2,600 more than Economy. For example:

It’s not a small jump, but if you value comfort on a long flight, it can be worth it.

If you’re flying long-haul and want better sleep, better food, and a more chilled experience, Emirates premium economy is a smart pick. It’s not Business Class, but it doesn’t try to be. You’re paying for comfort that actually makes a difference.

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