It might look like a game of spot the difference but Emirates has announced a more spacious business class seat on their 777-200LR’s. These new cabins aren’t found on all the 777 fleet, in fact, the new 2-class configuration is found only just 10 aircraft, flying specific routes starting with Ft. Lauderdale on 6th March.
The new 2 x 2 x 2 configuration means that passengers can enjoy wider seats and thankfully no more dreaded middle seat. However, it is still the only ME carrier to continue rolling out a configuration that isn’t all-aisle-access.
Even so, the airline has invested over US$150 million to refurbish these 10 existing 777-200LR aircraft in its fleet. Removing the older First Class product, the newly refurbished Emirates 777-200LR aircraft is now set in a two-class configuration which offers 38 Business Class seats and 264 seats in Economy Class in a 10 across configuration.
While the Business Class seats are in the same design and shape of Emirates’ latest lie-flat seats, they are now two inches wider for a more comfortable journey. The seats retain the champagne coloured finish and diamond stitch pattern on the full leather cover, and the ergonomically designed headrest revealed on Emirates’ newest Boeing 777 in November.
The new seats have a pitch of 72 inches and offer a fully-flat sleeping position. It also has touchscreen controls for the seat and inflight entertainment system, several personal lighting options, privacy panels between seats, a shoe stowage area, footrest and a personal mini-bar. To add a sense of space, the centre bins have been removed and the bulkheads now feature the Ghaf tree mural, a new signature design on the latest Emirates aircraft.
In addition, the new Business Class cabin features a social area – unique to the Boeing 777-200LR fleet. The mini lounge area features snacks such as crisps, although this is now in the centre of the aircraft, which if used as a social gathering space, could cause distraction to nearby passengers. The good news is that the new 777-X aircraft joining the fleet will offer a 1 x 2 x 1 seating configuration, meaning all passengers will finally get aisle access on Emirates Boeing fleet.
TheDesignAir 
Slightly larger, but still the 2/2/2 compared to other manufacturers 1/2/1, which is far nicer. Everyone should have unimpeded access to the aisle.
“The good news is that the new 777-X aircraft joining the fleet will offer a 1 x 2 x 1 seating configuration, meaning all passengers will finally get aisle access on Emirates Boeing fleet.”
Great.
But then why not configure the ten 777-200’s with 1 x 2 x 1 seating as well?