Emirates and the value of premium economy airline seating

An excellent article about the history and future of premium economy cabins appeared on AirlineRatings last week. It is called “Premium Economy bungle has cost airlines billions” and you can read it here.

I don’t often recommend external content but I thought this was worth sharing. If you are interested in the business aspects of airlines it is especially valuable.

For most airlines, premium economy is now the most profitable part of the plane in terms of $ per square foot of floor space.

The article is based around comments Emirates CEO Tim Clark made at a conference recently where he said that he had been stunned by the success of premium economy, both in terms of demand and what they are able to charge.

Emirates only launched the cabin last month. Here is the seat, and above:

Emirates was very late to the game here. AirlineRatings estimates that if 5% of Emirates passengers had upgraded over the past 10 years, it would have generated an extra $35 BILLION in revenue ….

What about passengers? We reviewed Emirates’ premium economy cabin here.

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How to earn Emirates Skywards miles from UK credit cards (April 2025)

Emirates Skywards does not have a UK credit card.  However, you can earn Emirates Skywards miles by converting Membership Rewards points earned from selected UK American Express cards.

Cards earning Membership Rewards points include:

• American Express Preferred Rewards Gold (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 20,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 15,000 Emirates Skywards miles. This card is FREE for your first year and also comes with four free airport lounge passes.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

• The Platinum Card from American Express (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 50,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 37,500 Emirates Skywards miles

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

• American Express Rewards credit card (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 7,500 Emirates Skywards miles. This card is FREE for life.

Membership Rewards points convert at 4:3 into Emirates Skywards miles which is an attractive rate.  The cards above all earn 1 Membership Rewards point per £1 spent on your card, which converts to 0.75 Emirates Skywards miles

The American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card earns double points (2 per £1) on all flights you charge to it, not just with Emirates but with any airline.