Emirates has announced that it will deploy its retrofitted Airbus A380 on the Dubai-Paris route starting October 25, 2026, bringing its Premium Economy cabin and refreshed onboard product to the French capital.
The retrofitted aircraft will operate flights EK071 and EK072 daily, completing the airline’s rollout of Premium Economy across all three of its French gateways.
With this development, Emirates now offers Premium Economy on flights to and from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS), and Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE), all connecting through Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Steady demand from long-haul travelers
Emirates noted that, since launching Premium Economy in Lyon and Nice, the cabin has maintained a healthy load factor in both directions, with roughly one in ten passengers traveling in Premium Economy to Dubai.
A significant portion of France-bound traffic originates from long-haul markets, including the UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, India, and Thailand, meaning many passengers are seeking extra comfort and space on flights exceeding 10 hours.
Passengers departing France travel to similar long-haul destinations, along with Indian Ocean islands such as the Maldives and Mauritius, all of which are also served by Premium Economy, allowing customers to fly the full journey in the airline’s newest cabin.
Cedric Renard, Emirates’ Country Manager in France, suggested that the addition of Premium Economy to Paris was a natural next step following strong customer response in Lyon and Nice, reflecting the airline’s continued investment in the French market.
He noted that Paris remains one of Emirates’ busiest global gateways for both inbound and outbound travel, and that the deployment underscores Emirates’ long-term commitment to offering customers more choice, flexibility, and premium travel options.
Inside the Premium Economy cabin
The Premium Economy cabin on Emirates’ A380 sits at the front of the main deck, with 56 seats configured in a 2-4-2 layout.
Passengers have use of reclining cream leather seats with cushioned leg rests, six-way adjustable headrests, and a woodgrain table built into the armrest for dining and working. The cabin is often compared to a business class experience in terms of its space and finish.
Meals are prepared by Emirates’ chefs and presented on Royal Doulton fine china, with linen napkins and Robert Welch stainless steel cutlery. The wine list includes selections such as La Parde de Haut-Bailly 2014 from Bordeaux, Chablis Premier Cru Jean-Marc Brocard 2024 from Burgundy, and an Emirates-exclusive Chandon Vintage Brut 2021 from Australia.
Premium Economy travelers are also entitled to priority boarding at Charles de Gaulle, a 35-kilogram checked baggage allowance, up to 10 kilograms of carry-on luggage and access to a dedicated check-in counter.
Beyond Premium Economy, the retrofitted A380 introduces upgrades across the First, Business and Economy cabins as well.
The interiors have been refreshed nose to tail, with a new color palette of cream, bronze, and sky blue, complemented by lighter-toned wood finishes. Emirates’ signature ghaf tree motif, a cultural symbol of the UAE, features throughout the aircraft.