Anyone know when EK will officially introduce Premium Economy?

Not a huge expert on EK fleet so bear with me. I'm thinking of flying on an EK 77W from the US and haven't haven't done this for at least 5 years given A380 were common on US flights. However, what I do recall is that the 77W EK flew to the US were an older bunch (I think they had higher MTOW ?) . If this is still the case, have these planes been updated with newer business/economy seats ?

Potentially I have a EK flight in late 2021 for a personal trip (ORD-HKG and/or SIN-ORD, and was wondering what your thoughts were regarding what aircraft might be flying at that time (assuming some positive change to operations in a post-CoVid scenario).. same as you indicate above, or possibility the new first class suites get retrofitted into aircraft servicing ORD

There is absolutely no way of predicting what 777 configurations will be used on what routes, now or in the future. And there will be no retrofitting of new F on existing 77W’s that have not got it.
I would hope though that generally by end 2021 most of the ‘traditional’ A380 routes will be operated by A380’s again!

And I am assuming that EK will not take delivery of any new 77W's any time soon, which would mean that the new F class suites will only be found within the existing 77W fleet that has the suites. And I am guessing ORD would not be a likely candidate for one of the new F suites planes... but like you said no way of predicting.

I would relish the chance to fly an EK A380, and I think my connecting through DXB either coming or going to Asia (SIN or HKG or PEK) are my best chances for an A380.... would you agree ORD likely won't get an A380 (even after the expansion at ORD, which should yield the necessary gate space for an A380)

I realize it is all speculation at this point... but I know many others here at FT are much more attuned these matters, so I appreciate informed speculation, even though it is only speculation.

EK has taken delivery of all their 77W on order as of 2018. The next 777 delivery will be the 777-9 if and when that happens. But they will have the new F.

EK will get no more new 77W’s at all, the order has been completed. When the 777X arrives (uncertain when, especially now), they’ll have new F.

SIN, HKG and PEK all used to be A380 routes (although not 100% A380 if I remember correctly). I can’t speculate on ORD, unfortunately. I understand that currently JFK is operated with new F.

Are we sure the new 777Xs will have F seats at all?

It's my understanding that the new 787s and A350s (if they ever arrive!) will not have F suites at all, and perhaps this new trend will find its way into the 777X as well. Tim Clark made the statement some months ago (see below for URL to his statement in ET). This is a very sad development and is a game changer for me.

https://www.executivetraveller.com/n...my-first-class

Sure? No!
But I think that on certain ‘premium’ routes the demand for F will be high and the ‘supply’ from other airlines limited enough to make it viable for EK to keep something which has definitely set them apart for many years.

77W
 

Hi there

does anyone know the aircraft registration of the relatively new 77W with the updated business class cabin that is similar to the 77L, but not the game changer first class suits?

trying to figure out what’s flying to North America!!

A6-EPV onwards has the new J seat and A6-EQH on the new first suites. Surprisingly (to me anyway) these new J seats are almost 4 years old.

From my monitoring the last few weeks, every destination is getting the new J regularly except BOS. JFK is getting new F (and J).

Thanks guys! That's super helpful!

Cheers

That's exactly what I'm hoping too.

East coast Australia is a heavy user of Emirates F and I'm hoping that they will continue to serve those cities with F-J-Y A380s for a while yet. At least until I'm routinely dribbling the soup down my pyjamas (not Emirates ones) in the nursing home!

A6-EDB flew into early retirement to its nursing home at Tarbes last Tuesday: A6-EDB retirement flight as EK 2689 on FR24