In a move that highlights its commitment to the Japanese market, Emirates has expanded its popular premium economy cabin to include flights between Dubai and Osaka Kansai International Airport. This marks the second Japanese city to benefit from Emirates’ premium offering, following Tokyo (Narita) which received the upgrade in December 2020.
Passengers flying between Dubai and Osaka can now experience the airline’s retrofitted A380 superjumbo, featuring a dedicated premium economy section with 56 spacious seats arranged in a comfortable 2-4-2 configuration.
The introduction of premium economy to Osaka reflects the positive response Emirates has received from Japanese travellers since launching the cabin in late 2020. The initial rollout began on the flagship Dubai-London Heathrow route in early 2021, and has since expanded to include a total of 19 destinations:
- New York JFK
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- Houston
- London Heathrow
- Sydney
- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Melbourne
- Singapore
- Mumbai
- Bangalore
- São Paulo
- Osaka
- Tokyo Narita
- Dubai (hub)
The success of the premium economy cabin has prompted Emirates to further expand its retrofit program. Originally planned to encompass 120 Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, the project now includes an additional 71 aircraft, ensuring more passengers can experience the enhanced travel experience.
“We’ve been delighted by the overwhelmingly positive feedback from Japanese travellers who have enjoyed our premium economy cabin on the Dubai-Narita route,” said Satish Sethi, Emirates’ Country Manager for Japan. “Adding Osaka to our premium economy network underlines our commitment to providing Japanese customers with greater choice and a superior travel experience.”
With over 10,200 passengers having tried the premium economy cabin since its Tokyo launch in December 2023, Emirates is confident Osaka travellers will respond equally enthusiastically. The airline believes its premium economy sets a new benchmark for comfort and luxury in Japan, offering meticulous design features and unparalleled service quality.
