Emirates invests $2 billion+ to enhance its inflight passenger experience
Emirates is investing more than $2 billion to improve its inflight passenger experience, including a new ‘Fly Better’ program to retrofit more than 120 passenger planes with upgraded interiors alongside a host of other cabin improvements.
Most of the airline’s $2 billion investment will be dedicated to the refurbishment of aircraft interiors. Emirates aims to retrofit cabins with either new or reupholstered seats as well as new paneling, flooring, and other features, the airline said in a statement released on August 10, 2022. The carrier said that it aims to fit all 120 jets with Premium Economy seats, the statement added.
The first Emirates plane will roll into Emirates Engineering Centre for retrofitting in November 2022.
“While others respond to industry pressures with cost cuts, Emirates is flying against the grain and investing to deliver ever better experiences to our customers,” said Emirates President, Sir Tim Clark. “Through the pandemic, we’ve continued to launch new services and initiatives to ensure our customers travel with assurance and ease, including digital initiatives to improve customer experiences on the ground.”
Emirates will also make improvements to its in-flight systems by introducing an upgraded entertainment system and an updated cinema snacks menu, which will include classics such as lobster rolls, sliders, edamame beans and salted popcorn.
“All passengers can also curate their own ice experience before their flight, simply by browsing and pre-selecting movies or TV shows on the Emirates app, which can then be synced to ice the moment they board, maximizing the seamless travel experience,” Emirates explained.
Luxury dishes: vegan food and champagne experiences
Starting from August 2022, Emirates will also introduce a new menu for First Class passengers on selected routes.
Meanwhile, First Class travelers hoping for the luxury brand experience will be offered an exclusive champagne and caviar experience, including unlimited portions of Persian caviar with a pairing of vintage champagne.
The updated menu will feature dishes, including pan-fried salmon trout with moqueca sauce and creole rice, or roasted duck breast with orange thyme juice as well as steamed broccolini and fondant potatoes. Passengers in Business and Economy class can explore the new menu from September 1, 2022.
Emirates customers who prefer vegan choices will be offered handcrafted gourmet dishes such as pan-roasted king oyster mushrooms, sliced kohlrabi garnished with burnt orange, or jackfruit biryani.
For those with a sweet tooth, the carrier will offer vegan desserts, including “chocolate truffle cake with hazelnut, pistachio and gold leaf, or green grape tart adorned with candied rose petals, vanilla custard, and berry compote glistening with yuzu pearls”, the statement added.