Emirates Pushes Premium Economy Upmarket as Business Class Gets Sliced Up

For years, the aircraft arms race was fought at the very front of the plane, with airlines pouring millions into first-class suites and ever-flatter business-class beds. Now the battle is moving a few rows back. On Thursday, Emirates launched a premium economy seat with a full-height, electrically operated privacy divider, which passengers can raise and lock from a personal control pad. Fitted to its new-generation Airbus A350 jets, the seat features electric recline with preset lounge and meal modes, a leather U-shaped headrest, deployable footrest, wireless charging and a 4K screen. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_rzTqfBlr1M It arrives as the airline industry enters a period of slower expansion, with global passenger revenue expected to approach $900 billion by 2027 but annual growth settling into low single digits. The post-pandemic recovery has run its course, and airlines are thinking less about chasing passengers and more a