Emirates plans to drop first class from some of its Airbus A380, switching the aircraft to a business and economy class configuration.
With Etihad Airways set to unveil its ultra-luxury offering in the A380 next week, Emirates is planning to scale back on its premium products, according to an interview in Gulf News.
The change in current three class configuration within some of the superjumbo aircraft, which can carry between 489 and 519 passengers, will be rolled out from late next year.
The increased passenger layout, which will also add to the weight of the aircraft, is due to be implemented on flights that Emirates believes would be better suited to economy and business class over maintaining the first class offering.
“There are some routes that don’t require first class,” Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations centre at Emirates, told Gulf News in an interview.
Emirates is also set to introduce a bedroom concept on board some of its A380 fleet, which is set to grow to 57 by the end of this year.
“It’s … based on our [first class] cabin but more as a room concept and private,” Al Mualla said, adding that it may lead to a reduction in the number of economy seats on the three-class A380s.
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