At the recent Iata AGM in Turkey, Emirates President Tim Clark emphasised the importance of the airline’s first class product and announced plans to refine the offering for a better experience.
According to Skift, more than 80% of the carrier’s aircraft are currently fitted with the luxury product, with Clark stressing that it is hugely important to Emirates.
The announcement to refine first class comes just days after Qatar Airways CEO, Akbar Al Baker, said first class seats would not be installed on the carrier’s next generation of long-haul aircraft. According to Al Baker, the business-class offering is sufficiently luxurious and has generated a greater return on investment.
Air New Zealand, KLM, Latam Airlines and United Airlines have removed first class from long-haul flights. American Airlines, the last US airline with the product, announced last year that it would be removing its first-class seats from long-haul aircraft over the next few years.