Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, will deploy the retrofitted A380 on the Dubai-Paris route from 25 October 2026, introducing Premium Economy and the latest product and service to the French capital. The retrofitted A380 will operate on EK071 and EK072, daily. This will see all three of the airline’s gateways in France served with the award-winning Premium Economy cabin, reinforcing Emirates’ commitment to bringing the latest and greatest to the market.

Since launching in Lyon and Nice, Premium Economy cabins to and from France have consistently maintained a healthy seat load factor, with one in ten passengers travelling in Premium Economy to Dubai, demonstrating the ongoing demand for an accessible, premium cabin. A significant percentage of traffic into France is long-haul, originating from destinations such as the UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, India and Thailand, meaning customers are looking for additional space, comfort and an elevated inflight experience when travelling for over 10 hours. Passengers from France opt for similar destinations, as well as the Indian Ocean Islands such as the Maldives and Mauritius, all of which also offer Premium Economy allowing passengers to fly the full route in the airline’s newest cabin.

Cedric Renard, Emirates’ Country Manager in France said, “France is an important and longstanding market for Emirates, and we’re delighted to now offer our newest cabin experience at all gateways we serve. We’ve seen strong customer response to Premium Economy in both Lyon and Nice, alongside growing demand for Premium Economy across our global network. Expanding the cabin to Paris is a natural next step, giving more customers in France the opportunity to experience the exceptional comfort, world-class service and thoughtful details that distinguish this cabin.

“Paris is one of our busiest global gateways for both in and outbound travellers. This latest investment reflects our confidence in the market, and our long-term commitment to serving our customers with more choice, flexibility and premium travel options.”

A closer look at Premium Economy and the retrofitted A380

Emirates’ award-winning Premium Economy cabin has been carefully designed to deliver an elevated journey from take-off to landing. Likened to a Business Class experience, the Premium Economy cabin on the A380 is located at the front of the main deck, with 56 seats laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration. Luxurious, reclining cream leather seats with a cushioned leg rest and six-way adjustable headrest further elevate passenger relaxation and comfort.

Customers can enjoy gourmet, regionally-inspired menus prepared by Emirates’ chefs, presented on Royal Doulton fine china with linen napkins and stainless-steel Robert Welch cutlery and served on the spacious woodgrain table, built into the armrest of the seat. Meals are accompanied by a carefully curated selection of premium beverages, including La Parde de Haut-Bailly 2014, which offers the refined elegance of one of Bordeaux’s most respected Pessac-Léognan estates, a Chablis Premier Cru Jean-Marc Brocard 2024, which showcases the purity and mineral precision of one of Burgundy’s most celebrated Chardonnay producers, as well as a cabin exclusive Chandon Vintage Brut 2021 from Australia.

Premium Economy passengers also enjoy a dedicated check-in counter and priority boarding at Charles de Gaulle airport, generous check-in baggage allowance of 35kg and a further 10kg of carry-on baggage.

Beyond the introduction of Premium Economy, the retrofitted A380 also brings enhancements to First, Business and Economy cabins too. Fully refreshed from nose-to-tail, the cabins are light and airy, in a new cream, bronze and sky blue colour palette, complemented by lighter-toned wood finishing. Emirates’ signature ghaf tree motif – a historic and cultural symbol of the UAE – also features prominently throughout the cabin.

Passengers can still enjoy Emirates’ signature A380 experiences such as the Onboard Lounge design and Shower Spa, with a fresh interior. Both the Onboard Lounge and the Shower Spa feature the same polished woodgrain finish throughout the rest of the cabin, with bronze accents and relaxing, ambient lighting for enhanced relaxation.

Tickets can be booked now on emirates.com, the Emirates App, through online and offline travel agents, or at Emirates retail stores, including Emirates Travel Store in Paris. Emirates continues to offer flexible booking policies and industry-first, comprehensive travel insurance, for added peace of mind while travelling.