Readers regularly ask us why no Gulf-based airline offers a premium economy class.
It’s a valid question seeing as all the main rivals to Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways (the Gulf’s three main airlines) offer a premium economy cabin of one sort of another.
Analysts all have different reasons for the lack of interest in premium economy. Some say it’s because the Gulf carriers are in the volume game, others say it’s because of their complex networks while the Gulf carriers themselves maintain their economy classes are a match for rivals’ [premium economy] products.
There’s an element of truth in all these claims but things may be about to change.
Premium Economy was launched some 25 years ago. After a shaky start the superior economy class product, which offers passengers more spacious seating, has since been embraced by most if not all major airlines*.
Speaking at the recent IATA AGM in Dublin and quoted in UAE’s The National, Emirates president Sir Tim Clark revealed that premium economy was under consideration.
“There’s clear and present evidence that this is something [premium economy] we too should take seriously.”