The flight
I flew Premium Economy on an Emirates A350-900 on November 8, 2025. The flight number was EK0024.
The check-in
Online check-in for Emirates flights opens 48 hours before scheduled departures. I checked in 36 hours before my scheduled 8.55 pm departure from Edinburgh.
The check-in process was pleasantly straightforward, taking only a couple of minutes. Most of my details had already been supplied, so all I needed to do was supply optional emergency contact details.
I’m based in North East England, so usually fly from Newcastle International Airport. From there, Emirates also operates a service, on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft without a Premium Economy cabin.
The prospect of flying Premium Economy prompted me to board a train north from Newcastle. I then took a 35-minute tram from St Andrew Square, near Waverley Station, to Edinburgh Airport.
Arriving well in advance of my departure time, just one person was ahead of me at the baggage drop. My suitcase for a four-night trip to Singapore used only half of Emirates’ 35kg Premium Economy checked luggage allowance.
With a separate Emirates ticket for the second leg of my journey to Singapore, I asked if I would have to collect my suitcase in Dubai and recheck it. The helpful staff member at the baggage drop offered to take care of that and quickly checked it through to Singapore.
Boarding
Most of the day’s flights from Edinburgh Airport had already departed and I passed through security in less than 10 minutes.
I headed to an airside bar to watch Sunderland host Arsenal in the evening’s top-of-the-table Premier League football fixture. The match finished a few minutes before EK0024 began boarding at a gate less than a minute’s walk from the bar. So I waited for the flight to be called and headed to the gate.
The welcome at the gate was courteous and the boarding process was smooth and swift. I was welcomed aboard by smiling, immaculately presented cabin crew members and was at my seat within a couple of minutes. The aircraft departed on time.
The seat
With 21 cream-coloured leather seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, the invitingly illuminated Premium Economy cabin made a positive first impression. I was supplied with a pillow, a blanket, plug-in earphones and a bottle of Harrogate Spring Water.
My aisle seat (16F) was in the third row of the cabin and was comfortable. There was a broad armrest between seats and a pull-out tray table provided ample space to work before dinner.
The seat had a pitch of 40 inches, could recline up to eight inches and had a footrest.
The seatback in front of me held a 13.3-inch 4K HD screen plus USB-C and USB-A charging ports. I paired Emirates’ i – c – e inflight connectivity and entertainment system with my own pair of Bose noise-cancelling headphones via Bluetooth.
I noted that the seat in front also had a retractable peg for hanging a jacket but didn’t need to use it.
The service
A crew member named Veronica welcomed me aboard by name and offered a choice of drinks. I opted for a glass of refreshing minted lemon.
She handed me a printed menu and, when it was time, I selected the fisherman’s pie for dinner. It was served about an hour into the flight. Accompanied by warm, cheese-topped focaccia bread and a glass of wine, the meal was satisfying, it’s flavours and textures making a positive impression.
I slept during the middle section of the flight. On waking, I checked the entertainment available on Emirates’ i-c-e inflight entertainment system. The range of choice was good, including live sports via Sport 24 and classic films such as The French Connection. Yet rather than watch a movie or listen to a podcast or music, I was drawn to TV shows that I didn’t have access to at home. I settled into The Assassin, an Amazon Prime Video series.
I also signed into the complimentary Wi-Fi service to send a couple of messages via WhatsApp, scroll through social media, and check the news and sports results.
Breakfast consisted of chopped fruit, yoghurt, a warm croissant and jam. Along with a black coffee that set me up for a day of onward travel to Singapore.
The verdict
The crew members working in the Premium Economy cabin were professional and pleasant to interact with.
Ample room was available for me to comfortably stretch out during the overnight flight to Dubai.
The experience of flying with Emirates in Premium Economy on this flight was extremely positive. It’s a cabin that I’d happily fly in again.
The details
Return Premium Economy flights between Edinburgh and Dubai are priced at £1,615 and can be booked via emirates.com.
