Emirates airline expands premium economy service to more cities

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Emirates airline expands premium economy service to more cities

January 9, 2026

DUBAI,— Emirates airline will continue expanding the use of its upgraded Boeing 777 aircraft and newly introduced Airbus A350 jets across its international network, according to the Government of Dubai Media Office.

The move will bring Premium Economy and updated cabin products to more destinations in Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia as the airline increases capacity ahead of the summer travel season.

The airline said it will deploy the Airbus A350 on new daily services to Copenhagen, Phuket, and Cape Town, adding frequencies to existing routes and improving connectivity through its Dubai hub.

Emirates stated that the additional flights are intended to support rising travel demand during the peak summer period while offering customers more scheduling options.

Passengers on the new services will have access to Emirates Premium Economy, as well as the airline’s latest Business and Economy Class cabins.

Emirates said that by 1 July, aircraft equipped with its newest interiors, including retrofitted Airbus A380s, Boeing 777s, and A350s, will operate on more than 84 routes across its network.

Emirates will begin operating a second daily flight between Dubai and Copenhagen from 1 June.. A third daily service between Dubai and Phuket and an additional daily frequency to Cape Town will begin from 1 July. All three routes will be operated using the Airbus A350, according to the airline.

Emirates said the expanded Copenhagen service is scheduled to improve onward connections through Dubai to destinations in Asia and Africa.

The airline added that travelers from major cities in Asia and the Asia Pacific region will benefit from improved transfer times to the Danish capital.

The additional service to Phuket will provide travelers with more options to the popular leisure destination, with flight schedules designed to support connections from Europe and the Middle East via Dubai.

Emirates said the new frequency will also enhance onward travel opportunities from Phuket to several destinations across Europe and the region.

Cape Town will receive a third daily Emirates service from 1 July. The airline said the added frequency is aimed at meeting demand across both leisure and corporate travel markets.

Emirates noted that its existing twice daily service to Cape Town has recorded consistently high passenger loads over the past year, particularly during peak travel periods.

According to the airline, inbound travel from Gulf Cooperation Council countries to Cape Town has continued to grow, while outbound demand from South Africa to Europe and the eastern United States has remained steady.

In addition to the new and expanded routes, Emirates confirmed that the Airbus A350 will begin operating flights to Rome from 29 March and to Taipei from 1 May as part of its wider fleet deployment plan.

Emirates resumed flights between Nigeria and Dubai on Oct. 1, 2025, ending nearly two years of suspended operations.

(With files from Government of Dubai Media Office)