Emirates is moving more of its Dubai flights onto the Airbus A350, and with it Premium Economy, the cabin between Economy and Business. Two releases in the last week set the dates:
- Ho Chi Minh City: a second daily A350, EK364/365, from 1 November 2026.
- Hanoi: the A350 on both daily flights, EK394/395 and EK388/389, from 1 December 2026. This is Premium Economy’s first appearance on the Hanoi route.
- Durban: the A350 on the daily EK775/776 from 1 March 2027.
Emirates says that from 1 December all four daily flights between Dubai and Vietnam’s two largest cities will be A350s. With Durban, all three of its South African gateways will have Premium Economy; Cape Town and Johannesburg got it in September 2025.
What you get on board
Per Emirates, its A350 carries 298 passengers in three cabins: Business, Premium Economy and Economy.
- Business is 1-2-1, so every seat has aisle access, with a lie-flat bed, a personal minibar and wireless charging.
- Premium Economy has leather recliners, in-seat charging and a 13.3-inch screen. The Durban release gives the layout as 2-4-2. Premium Economy passengers flying from Durban get a dedicated check-in counter, priority boarding and a 35 kg checked-baggage allowance plus 10 kg of cabin baggage.
- Economy has a 13.3-inch 4K screen at every seat.
Which Premium Economy seat?
In September Emirates unveiled a new Premium Economy seat with a full-height electric privacy screen, laid out 2-3-2, for newly delivered A350s (our story). Neither of these releases mentions it. Both describe the existing seat, and the Durban release says 2-4-2. Emirates still has not said which routes get the new seat, so do not book a Vietnam or Durban flight expecting it.
For Skywards members
Premium Economy is a separate cabin for both cash fares and Classic Rewards, so these routes now have a middle option for Miles as well as cash. The releases say nothing about award pricing or upgrade availability, and we have not priced either. Our Skywards hub covers how upgrades with Miles work.
For a family flight to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi this winter, the change is simple: from the dates above, every Emirates flight on the route will offer Premium Economy. Before 1 December, check the aircraft on your Hanoi flight before you pay for the cabin.
Verified on 1 November 2026 against Emirates’ media-centre releases of 28 and 30 October 2026.
Sources
- Emirates media centre, Emirates expands A350 operations in Vietnam, 28 October 2026, read 1 November 2026.
- Emirates media centre, Emirates expands Premium Economy to Durban with deployment of A350, 30 October 2026, read 1 November 2026.
