Both Emirates and Etihad are flag carriers of the UAE, but they have certain competitive advantages over each other – which makes them unique in their way. In the high-stakes game of long-haul travel, Emirates and Etihad strive to deliver the best travel experience, irrespective of travel class and itinerary. A big fleet, a bigger network, luxurious cabins, world-class inflight entertainment, bar lounges at 35,000 feet collectively define Emirates, whereas Etihad stands out for flying nanny service, US pre-clearance, and the first-class suite – The Residence.

Emirates or Etihad: Which airline has a bigger US-India network

Emirates Airlines’ direct access to 12 US gateways has the upper hand in competition with Etihad given the fact that Etihad’s US network is half of Emirates’. You can book Emirates flights to Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, and Seattle – which are missing from Etihad’s list of US destinations. On the other hand, direct Etihad service to Atlanta, and Charlotte is a competitive edge over Emirates.

• Emirates’ US Destinations: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York (JFK and Newark), Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, D.C. 
• Emirates’ India Destinations: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram.
• Etihad US Destinations: Boston, Chicago, New York (JFK), Washington D.C. (IAD), Atlanta,  Charlotte (starting in March 2026).
• Etihad India Destinations: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kochi, Kozhikode, Jaipur, and Thiruvananthapuram.

Emirates’ Dubai stopover vs Etihad’s Abu Dhabi stopover

Both the Middle East airlines offer stopovers in their hub cities, which you can add to your one-way travel or round trip from USA to India. Their stopover programs are free to some extent. While Emirates’ Dubai stopover is restrictive to layovers of minimum 8 hours for Economy/Premium Economy passengers, and 6+ hours for Business Class guests. Etihad’s Abu Dhabi stopover program includes complimentary hotel accommodation for two nights, irrespective of travel class and fare type. While Emirates’ Dubai Connect package for eligible travelers includes free meals and airport transfers, Etihad does not offer the same in its stopover program.

Any airline’s free stopover program comes with certain limitations. For instance, Emirates’ free stopover program is limited to a layover of maximum 26 hours – which is not enough to experience the best of Dubai. Only customized stopover plans with curated experiences for 2 to 4 days can satisfy your urge to explore Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Check out Indian Eagle’s Dubai Experience packages with luxury and leisure activities at unbeatable rates. 

Etihad vs Emirates: Primary advantages

The US CBP pre-clearance facility at Abu Dhabi is Etihad Airways’ primary edge over Emirates for the US-bound passengers. They enter the US as domestic travelers. This is why the US-based Indians turn to IndianEagle.com for best Etihad flight deals for their parents’ hassle-free travel from India to USA via Abu Dhabi.

Premium Economy is Emirates’ best advantage in competition with Etihad. Emirates Airlines is the only Middle East carrier to offer award-winning premium economy seats. The UAE’s Dubai-based flag carrier has the best premium economy seats in the world, according to Skytrax Awards which is hailed as the Oscars of aviation.

Emirates or Etihad: Which airline is more family-friendly

Both Emirates and Etihad are family-friendly airlines catering to specific needs of family travelers with young kids in ways unique to their inflight service standards. Be it dietary care or inflight entertainment for children, Emirates Airlines goes the extra mile to ensure parents travel at ease. Organic baby food being available on board makes Emirates flights the first preference of family travelers with kids younger than 2 years. In addition to baby food reheating to bottle-warming service on board, Emirates’ flight attendants provide feeding bottles and milk formula to those not carrying baby food from home.

Etihad is the only airline offering nanny service for infants aboard select flights from USA to India and other destinations. Introduced in 2013, Etihad Airways’ flying nanny service is a special assistance program designed to ensure a comfortable flight for families with young children. The flying nannies are trained in different modules of childcare, child psychology, and how to entertain kids with different behavior types. They are helping hands when it comes to warming up milk bottles, feeding kids, changing their diapers, reading out to them, and lulling them into sleep.

Emirates vs Etihad: Business Class travel

Both airlines deliver more or less the same business class travel experience from USA to India; however, Emirates’ business class is a notch above Etihad’s in terms of unique facilities on board. Emirates owns the largest fleet of superjumbo A380s with spacious business class cabins. Precisely, Emirates’ A380 business class is known for inflight bars where guest can socialize over an exclusive selection of wines and champagnes.

Emirates operates a larger flagship lounge network for its premium guests, including business class flyers than Etihad Airways. Rated highly by Skytrax Awards, Emirates’ lounges at Dubai DXB Airport offer livelier premium space than Etihad lounges at Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport, according to various passenger survey reports.

Etihad vs Emirates: Passenger safety

Inflight comfort and passenger safety equally matter during long-haul intercontinental travel. The list of 10 safest airlines in the world includes both Emirates and Etihad. Recently, Airlineratings.com, a leading aviation safety ranking website, named Etihad Airways as the world’s safest full-service airline. Emirates is adjudged as the fifth safest airline in 2026. Notably, Emirates’ AI mechanism for turbulence-free flights is one of the latest developments in aviation 2026.

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Planning a trip to Dubai from USA or a Dubai stopover while flying to India this winter? This guide on the pre-approved visa-on-arrival in Dubai is exclusively for you. Since January 2024, Emirates Airlines – one of our partners for best flight deals to India and USA– has been offering pre-approved visa on arrival service to eligible Indian nationals. With pre-arrival approval, Indian passport holders can skip visa-on-arrival formalities at Dubai International Airport during a peak travel season.

Difference between visa on arrival in Dubai and pre-approved visa on arrival 

Emirates Airlines’ visa-on-arrival service in Dubai is not new for Indians having a valid US visa or Green Card. However, the pre-approved visa on arrival facility is more efficient and convenient. It simplifies and quickens the visa formalities on arrival at DXB Airport. If the Dubai Airport layover in your itinerary permits only a short city sightseeing tour, Emirates Airlines’ pre-arrival approval enables faster visa processing so that you can spend more time in the city.

How to get Emirates’ pre-approved visa on arrival for Dubai? 

It is easy and simple. You can apply for it online only after booking Emirates flight tickets through Indian Eagle or any other travel agency. Emirates Airlines’ partnership with VFS Global Services facilitates the pre-approval process for eligible Indian passport holders. The UAE visa platform linked to Emirates.com outlines the requirements and clauses for you to obtain a 14-day single-entry visa on arrival.

• Log on to Emirates.com and navigate to “Manage an existing booking” on the portal.
• Enter your last name and booking reference number or e-ticket number to retrieve your booking details.
• Click the “Apply for a UAE Visa” link
• You will be redirected to the UAE Visa application portal powered by VFS Global Services
• Fill out the application form and pay the visa fee online.
• Go to the pre-approved visa on arrival counter at Dubai Airport

Emirates’ visa on arrival service fee for Indians 

A single-entry, 14-day visa on arrival costs USD 63 per traveler, as per the official website of Emirates Airlines. Eligible Indian nationals have to pay this UAE visa fee during the online pre-approval process (mentioned above).

Eligibility criteria for Emirates’ pre-approved visa on arrival

• You must be an Indian national
• You must have a valid US visa or Green Card, or a valid UK/EU visa or residence permit with 6-month validity
• Your Indian passport must be valid for 6 months from the date of travel to the UAE

Don’t just transit via Dubai; make it unforgettable with a budget-friendly Dubai Stopover package (watch this short video) customized by our destination experts. Call Indian Eagle’s 24/7 customer helpline +1800-615-3969 for unbeatable deals for Dubai Stopover and Emirates flights.

List of documents for UAE visa on arrival

• Passport Cover Page: A copy of the outer front cover of your Indian passport, featuring the country’s name and national emblem (new mandatory requirement)
• Passport Biodata Page: A copy of the main page displaying your personal information and photograph
• Passport-size Photograph: A recent, high-resolution photo that meets standard visa specifications
• Flight Tickets: Confirmed booking for a return flight or onward journey to a third country
• Hotel Booking: Valid hotel stay reservation for the duration of your planned stay in Dubai or UAE

Get an amazing Dubai Stopover for mini vacation for less

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You can get to fly in Emirates’ award-winning Premium Economy cabin for free or less. Yes, Emirates Airlines has unlocked its loyalty program – Skywards – for premium economy travel across its global network. As a member of Emirates Skywards, you can now earn and redeem miles for premium economy flights and upgrades. The rollout of premium economy seats on more aircraft and more routes drove the extension of Emirates Skywards.

“Until now, Emirates’ frequent flyers were not able to earn miles on booking premium economy flights. Even redeeming Skywards miles for an upgrade from economy to premium travel was restricted. Thus, Emirates extending the Skywards loyalty program benefits to Premium Economy is a welcome move for our customers in the US-India travel corridor,” said Dheeraj Duvvuru, CEO of IndianEagle.com.

How many Skywards Miles are required for Premium Economy tickets or upgrades?

A one-way ticket in Emirates Airlines’ Premium Economy requires you to redeem 15,000 or more Skywards Miles, depending on your itinerary and travel dates. Precisely, you must accrue minimum 15,000 Skywards Miles to exchange for a seat on Emirates’ SFO to Mumbai flights, JFK to Ahmedabad flights, or Houston to BLR flights. You can upgrade from economy to premium economy on Emirates flights for minimum 7020 Skywards Miles (one-way). You must request an upgrade prior to boarding a scheduled flight; it is subject to availability of seats in premium economy cabins.

How to redeem Emirates Skywards Miles

It is simple to redeem Skywards miles for Emirates flight tickets or award flights with partner airlines, travel cabin upgrades, hotel stays, and airport lounge access. Whatever miles you earn for buying the best Indian Eagle deals for Emirates flights to India are automatically credited to your account. If you’re an existing member of Emirates Skywards loyalty program, you can tell Indian Eagle’s customer support to add your membership number to the booking. Once you accumulate minimum 15,000 Miles, you can redeem for one-way premium economy travel through your Emirates Skywards account.

Emirates Premium Economy Destinations

Mumbai, London, Houston, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Auckland, Sydney, and Melbourne are among the destinations for Emirates Premium Economy in 2025. Among the airline partners of Indian Eagle, Emirates is highly betting on the premium economy segment of international travel by retrofitting its widebody fleet of A380s, A350s and B777s. It is anticipated that all double-decker A380s in Emirates’ fleet will have this cabin by December 2025. Apparently, Emirates is the only Middle East airline to offer full-service premium economy experience with dollops of luxury.

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The middle seat on Business Class flights has been a traveler’s worst irony: you pay thousands of dollars for luxury, space, and comfort, yet end up traveling squeezed between two neighbors with no aisle access. Premium travel demands privacy, direct aisle access, room to stretch out, and space to breathe freely; not the feeling of being boxed in. Emirates Airlines has finally put an end to that compromise by introducing a new 1-2-1 Business Class seating layout across its Boeing 777 fleet, removing middle seats completely.

Emirates Boeing 777 Business Class seating is now family-friendly

If you have ever booked Emirates Business Class flight tickets and flown in the older 777 aircraft, you probably remember the 2-3-2 seating layout. Seven seats in a single row meant someone always lost out on privacy, and solo travelers often sandwiched between strangers and having to climb over them to reach the aisle. This setup was far from ideal, and for couples, it was a game of luck whether they could sit together comfortably.

The new 1-2-1 Emirates Business Class seating configuration solves all those issues in one elegant move. Four seats across each row mean there is no middle seat at all, giving every passenger direct aisle access and more personal space. In the new layout, window seats are perfect for solo travelers who are concerned about privacy, while the center pair works well for couples flying together. This is also suitable for booking business class travel for your parents who always travel together. Even if you are seated in the center, you still have your own aisle.

Which Routes have Emirates’ new B777 with ‘No Middle Seat’ layout

Emirates has already started flying the upgraded 777 aircraft on several key international routes. The Dubai-based airline began the B777 retrofit program in late 2024. By September 2025, about 25 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft are already flying with the new 1-2-1 Business Class with no middle seats. You can find new seats on Emirates flights from India to Boston, Seattle, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Newark, London Stansted, Johannesburg, Hong Kong, Madrid, Vienna, and Riyadh.

Emirates Boeing 777 Business Class seat features

Emirates Airlines’ retrofitted B777 aircraft has 78-inch fully flat beds, so you can stretch out on long-haul USA-India business class flights. Each seat is upholstered in soft cream leather with wood accents that add a touch of sophistication. The entertainment screen is huge 23 inches in HD, with Bluetooth pairing so you can use your own headphones. You also get multiple charging options, including USB-C ports, a universal power outlet, and USB-A slots. A personal minibar is tucked into the seat; a feature that frequent Emirates flyers will recognize from its A380s.

How to check if Emirates flights to India/USA have 1-2-1 Cabin Layout

The easiest way to check if your Emirates Business Class flight has the new 1-2-1 seating layout or the old 2-3-2 configuration is by viewing the seat map during booking. If you see four seats laid out in a 1-2-1 row, you can be sure about the new cabin with direct aisle access for every passenger. Another way is to call the customer support of Indian Eagle, your trusted US-India flight booking partner, to confirm if your preferred itinerary has middle seats on Emirates B777 Business Class flights.

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This is a comparative guide on Qatar Airways Vs Emirates Economy Class for long-haul international travel. Both are full-service premium airlines with a huge network across USA and India. Both give a tough competition to each other in the US-India travel corridor, with minute differences between their economy class travel cabins, inflight facilities, and onboard hospitality.

Are Emirates’ Economy Seats Better than Qatar Airways?

Whether Emirates Airlines has better economy seats than Qatar Airways, it depends on their respective aircraft for flights to USA and India. Generally, Emirates flights between USA and India have more spacious economy seats on A380s than Boeing 777 or the newer A350s. The double-decker A380’s economy cabin offers seating in a 3-4-3 layout with 18-inch width and a pitch of up to 34 inches. On Emirates’ B777 (both 200LR and 300ER), economy seats come with 17-inch width and a pitch of up to 33 inches. A 350, the newest aircraft for Emirates flights to Ahmedabad and Mumbai, offers 18-inch seat width and 31-inch seat pitch in its economy travel cabin.

If you book Indian Eagle flight tickets for Qatar Airways economy, you would travel on one of the two aircraft types: A350-1000 or B777-300ER. Qatar Airways’ economy seats on both the aircraft have more or less the same dimensions as the above. The B777-300ER that Qatar Airways commonly deploys on some routes between USA and India offers slightly broader seats in Economy, measuring 17.7-18.2 inches of width and 33 inches of pitch.

However, the economy class flying experience with Emirates stands out for cushioned seats, adjustable headrests, wider armrests that make long-haul travel much less tiring. The recline is modest but supported with good lumbar design, especially on the A380. Comparatively, Qatar Airways seats in economy offer a good deal of comfort with adjustable headrests and standard recline on A350 and B777, though the armrest spacing is poor.

Qatar Airways Vs Emirates: In-Flight Dining in Economy

Emirates’ inflight dining, irrespective of economy fares, is among the best in aviation. The opportunity to savor authentic regional food at 40,000 feet is one of the reasons to fly with Emirates between USA and India. Even in economy class, Emirates treats passengers to the best of regional cuisines on flights to and from India. You get to indulge in Hyderabadi Biryani and Double ka Meetha on Emirates flights departing from Hyderabad RGI Airport. Sandesh and Rosogolla, among the popular sweets of Bengal, define your inflight dining experience on Emirates flights taking off at Kolkata International Airport.

Qatar Airways economy dining on flights between USA and India via Doha has been praised by many Indian travelers for its variety and quality. Meals across breakfast, lunch, and dinner are freshly prepared and served with modern presentation. The airline also caters to diverse passenger needs by offering special meals such as allergy-friendly, vegan, vegetarian, religious, and medical or healthcare meals. You can view your Economy Class digital dining menu from 14 days before your US-India flight trip, allowing you to plan your onboard meal preferences in advance.

Emirates Vs Qatar Airways Economy: Inflight Entertainment

According to Emirates economy class flight reviews, Emirates Airlines’ ICE system wins over Qatar Airways’ Oryx One System for inflight entertainment in terms of content selection and volume. Besides, Emirates has received Skytrax Awards in the ‘Best Inflight Entertainment’ category for more than 12 years. A huge content lot of more than 6500 movies, TV shows, web series, sports videos, games, and music in multiple languages will keep your company on long-haul economy class flights. Equipped with 13.3-inch HD screens, Emirates’ ICE inflight entertainment system has unlimited Indian regional content to leave you spoilt for choice.

If reviews of Qatar Airways economy class travel from USA to India are to be believed, the Oryx One infight entertainment system is amazing too. Though the inflight content library is not as and diverse as Emirates’, Qatar Airways’ IFE system – Oryx One – has enough to keep you entertained during your long-haul economy class travel between USA and India. The IFE screen quality and content selection vary depending on aircraft types deployed for Qatar Airways flights. Emirates’ economy class travel cabins have bigger seatback screens than Qatar Airways’.

Both airlines provide decent noise-cancelling headphones in Economy and let you connect your mobile device to the inflight entertainment system. Connecting a mobile device to Qatar Airways’ Oryx One System is easier than connecting to Emirates’ ICE system. You can use your mobile device as a remote control for the IFE system and watch your own content by scanning the QR code in Qatar Airways’ Economy Class. You can sync your mobile phone or tablet to Emirates’ IFE system only through the Emirates app, except on brand new A380 aircraft.

Qatar Airways Vs Emirates: Economy Class Fare Deals

Indian Eagle, the most trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians and Americans, offers the best online and phone-only deals on flight tickets of both Emirates and Qatar Airways, among its partners. Usually, Emirates’ economy flight tickets cost a few tens of dollar more than Qatar Airways’ economy class fares. The Qatar Airways vs Emirates fare difference depends on a number of factors, like route, travel dates, advance booking, and loyalty program. Simply log on to IndianEagle.com to check economy class fare variations across airlines for any route between USA and India. You can book cost-to-cost flight tickets online or call +1800-615-3969 for exclusive phone-only deals.

The post Qatar Airways Vs Emirates Economy Class for US-India Travel: Know What’s Better for You first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Qatar Airways Vs Emirates Economy Class for US-India Travel: Know What’s Better for You appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

No extra padding. No additional entertainment hours. No new upholstery. Emirates Airlines is working brand new economy class seats – bold, better and beyond those usual improvements. Emirates’ next-gen economy seat design, the first of its kind in the industry, will take the aviation world by storm, according to the airline’s president Sir Tim Clark, who describes it as a “game changer” for economy class travelers.

Emirates Airline News: New Economy Seat Features

The new seat design for economy travel cabins on Emirates flights to India, USA, China, and other countries will leverage vertical space to enhance comfort. Seat height – neither seat width nor seat pitch – is the focus of unusual seating improvement for the Dubai-based airline this time. The design has already been prototyped for seat manufacturers and aviation regulators.

Vertical enhancement of economy class seats is a signature innovation, like Emirates’ virtual windows in the first class cabins of B777-300ER planes. The new seats will be taller by 4 to 5 inches to improve the way the seat height supports our body posture and contour, according to Tim Clark, one of the most revered leaders in aviation, who is credited with driving the growth of Emirates Airlines from a two-plane startup in 1985 to one of the best international airlines in the world.

The more legroom, the more premium fare. In Economy Class, the wider the seats, the higher the ticket prices. By utilizing the vertical cabin space, Emirates Airlines aims to elevate your seating comfort in Economy without charging a premium. Usually, Emirates’ economy flight seats are wider and more spacious than Air India’s and other airlines’. Currently, seat height is the only area wherein the airline has some room for improvement without reducing cabin density.

Emirates’ new economy seats height has challenges

“The more height a seat has, the more space it needs to recline back. The reclining of one’s seat causing discomfort to the other behind is often the reason for inflight scuffles among economy class passengers. Given the cases of passengers getting into an argument over unfair reclining of seats, Emirates’ tall seat design for Economy travel cabins seems to be a move against basic air travel etiquette,” said Sourav Agarwal, Senior Editor of Travel Beats.

A more serious concern than the above is obstructed viewing of passengers for the cabin crew. Emirates’ new economy seats height (to be increased by 4 to 5 inches) could block the line of sight, one of the inflight safety requirements for the cabin crew. However, President Tim Clark shrugged off this concern by saying that cameras are installed inside Economy Class cabins of modern aircraft like A380s in the fleet of Emirates Airlines. Passengers activity and safety can be monitored through inflight cameras.

On one hand, Sir Tim Clark is sanguine about the pragmatism of increasing the height of seats for international economy travelers. On the other hand, he says, “It’s not an easy process” to get approval from aviation regulators. He is trying to connect dots between inflight seating innovation and aviation safety compliance.

Better seat height or better seat width – what is your preference for comfort on economy flights between USA and India?

Subscribe to Travel Beats, a leading aviation news portal for US-India airline news, travel tips, travel FAQs, visa guides, checked baggage allowance, and a lot more. Also, check out Indian Eagle flight tickets for USA to India budget travel and beyond with Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Air India, United, British Airways, Cathay Pacific…You can call +1800-615-3969 for unpublished phone-only deals.

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Premium Economy offers a better experience than economy travel and costs lesser than business class flight tickets. Precisely, this travel class that gained a larger market share during the pandemic offers an ideal blend of both, comfort and affordability. Elevated comfort, wider seats, greater recline, ample legroom, adjustable seating position, generous baggage allowance, better inflight dining, and of course, priority service are the perks of flying premium economy airlines to India and back to USA.

With Air India and Emirates having entered this segment and heightening the competition, Premium Economy is the future of travel between USA and India. Indian Eagle, the most trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians in America, is here to guide you through top airlines offering the best premium economy class seats between USA and India.

Emirates’ Premium Economy Class 

Emirates, one of the best airlines for USA to India travel, is the only Middle East carrier with premium economy offering. Emirates Airlines’ Premium Economy on double-decker A380 flights to Mumbai, Bengaluru, New York, San Francisco, Houston, and Los Angeles has won Skytrax World Airline Awards for the best-in-class seats, amenities and services. Our comparative guide on Premium Economy: Emirates vs Air India will enlighten you more.

Emirates’ Premium Economy cabins have 19.5-inch wide seats with 40 inches of legroom and 8 inches of recline – which is the best in this category. The golden beige hued interior oozes sophistication. You can rest your back against a fluffy pillow and adjust the headrest in six different ways to elevate your comfort level for some good sleep during a long-haul flight.

Premium Economy travel with Emirates flight tickets is worth an upgrade from standard economy also for superior inflight entertainment on 13.5-inch HD screens, and certain privileges like priority check-in and expedited boarding.

Japan Airlines Premium Economy

“JAL SKY Premium Economy seats are second to none in functionality and privacy. Among the airlines with best premium economy travel cabins, Japan Airlines takes the lead by offering 42-inch legroom and 16-inch personal screens – the best in class. The best of JAL SKY Premium is available on the airline’s brand-new A350-1000 that is deployed for flights to Dallas and New York,” said the chief ticketing officer of Indian Eagle Travel.

Japan Airlines’ A350-1000 aircraft has Premium Economy seats with significant upgrades from that on other aircraft in the fleet. You get to relax on electric seats with effortless recline and motorized leg rests that rise up to 90 degrees. Your privacy is taken better care of with larger dividers between seats as in the business class. The same fold-out divider between seats is available in the JAL Premium Economy cabin on B787-9 that the airline uses to operate flights to New Delhi.

The perks of booking Japan Airlines Premium Economy tickets to India or USA include access to JAL lounges at Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and Osaka Kansai airports in Japan. ENCALM Prive Lounge at Indira Gandhi Airport, and 080 Lounge at Kempegowda BLR Airport are also accessible to premium economy passengers of JAL flights to/from Bengaluru and New Delhi. Special check-in counter access and priority baggage service are cherries on the cake for those flying premium economy with JAL.

Singapore Airlines’ Premium Economy Class

Singapore Airlines is the one that can compete with Emirates Premium Economy on long-haul routes. It has all the makings of best premium economy class seats to India and USA, such as ample room to stretch out, adjustable personal reading light, in-seat USB ports, noise-cancelling headphones, etc. The seats with soft leather upholstery are cozy enough to make you feel at home in the sky. Singapore Airlines’ premium economy seats come with a dedicated stowage area where you can store your laptop, headphones, water bottle and other personal items.

The USP of Singapore Airlines Premium Economy cabins is restaurant-like inflight dining service at the cruising altitude. Starting from April 2024, the airline has been serving meals from its enhanced menu designed by award-winning chefs from different countries, including India. You can pre-order a main course of your choice from Singapore Airlines’ Book the Cook menu, at least 24 hours prior to your flight (with minimum 15 hours of travel time). The airlines pampers the tastebuds of premium economy travelers to/from India with chicken biryani, garlic roasted prawns, apple crumble cheesecake and likes from its new menu of over 200 dishes.

Hours of absolute entertainment over a vast content library consisting of 1800 movies, TV programs, music, and games on 13.3-inch HD touchscreen monitors complement the experience of flying Premium Economy on Singapore Airlines flights to India and USA.

Lufthansa’s Premium Economy Class 

More room, more comfort, more attention, and more free baggage define Lufthansa Airlines’ Premium Economy cabins. Each seat has a cocktail table at the armrest, adjustable footrest, and 11-12 inch inflight entertainment screen. In Lufthansa Premium Economy, the seats offer 8 inches of recline, 38 inches of pitch, and width of 18-19 inches for optimum comfort. The seat lets you recline without encroaching the space of the passenger behind you. The headrest, leg rest and armrest can be adjusted as per your convenience.

Lufthansa’s new Allegris travel cabins with pod-like Premium Economy seats have set a benchmark for other premium economy airlines. The Allegris Premium Economy cabins being rolled out on Airbus A350s and B787 Dreamliners have 15.6-in 4K entertainment monitors with discreet screen. You can relax in a comfy position and tune in to nonstop streaming of content or read/work under a personal reading light during long-haul travel on Lufthansa flights.

“Bengaluru and San Francisco are the first to see the brand-new Allegris cabins with premium economy seats, among the destinations of Lufthansa flights to India and USA this year. You can check-in two bags for free when traveling Lufthansa Premium Economy; a great advantage over Lufthansa’s economy flights with one piece of checked baggage,” said the chief customer experience officer of IndianEagle.com.

Air India’s Premium Economy on Nonstop Flights 

In a very short time following its launch in June 2023 for nonstop US-India flights, Air India’s Premium Economy has earned rave reviews. All thanks to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson’s vision and Tata Group’s takeover of the airline! Everyone from regular travelers to celebs like Chef Vikas Khanna praised Air India’s service on Boeing 777-200LRs (leased from Delta Airlines) which have 48 leather-upholstered Premium Economy seats with big IFE screens, better seat pitch and greater seat recline.

The blue-hued premium economy cabins are available on Air India flights from New York to Mumbai, and San Francisco to Bengaluru, as well as Mumbai.

With its brand new A350-900s taking to the skies, Air India is all set to up its Premium Economy game by late 2024. This long-range, widebody aircraft has 24 Premium Economy seats other than 28 full-flat luxury beds in Business Class. Read our in-depth coverage for more details of Air India’s A350s and take a walk through the aircraft in our short video. Once it hits long-haul international routes, it will be among the best premium economy airline cabins for travel between USA and India.

Cathay Pacific’s Premium Economy 

Of the best premium economy airlines, Cathay Pacific stands out for offering such perks as dedicated check-in lines and priority boarding, other than super comfy seats with 40 inches of legroom on board. The airline has started rolling out newly designed premium economy seats with 20 inches of width – the best in the industry – on its fleet of B777-300ERs. The leather-padded seats come with full-length leg rests, USB ports, spacious tray tables, and 15-inch wide monitor screens with Bluetooth audio pairing.

The larger tray table makes dining and working a lot more comfortable in Premium Economy on Cathay Pacific flights to India, USA and other destinations. In 2023, Skytrax Awards (the Oscars in aviation) ranked Cathay Pacific as one of the top 10 airlines with best premium economy class seats.

The post Which Airlines have Best Premium Economy Cabins for Travel from USA to India in 2025? A Useful Guide first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Which Airlines have Best Premium Economy Cabins for Travel from USA to India in 2025? A Useful Guide appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram are the only destinations in South India for most airlines, particularly the Middle East carriers operating one-stop flights between USA and India. After a long time, a tier-2 city from South India would join a major international airline’s network if things go well. This is Vijayawada, the cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh.

Emirates Airlines, one of the best for international flights to India from USA, is planning to serve Vijayawada Airport (VGA). Emirates will further connect Vijayawada to the United States via its hub, Dubai, for Telugu Diaspora in the Bay Area, the Texas Triangle (Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio), Chicagoland, Seattle, New Jersey, Boston, and Greater Washington (DMV). Precisely, Telugu Indians residing across Emirates’ network in the USA would get one more gateway to home other than Hyderabad RGI Airport.

In a recent report, the Times of India quoted Vijayawada Airport’s Director M Lakshmikanth saying, “A three-member team from Emirates Airlines conducted the technical feasibility study and assessed the amenities available at the airport. While the Emirates team express satisfaction with the airport’s runway length, automated baggage handling system, and other facilities, they pointed out the lack of a dedicated aerobridge at the airport.”

However, the airport director alleviated the concern saying that the new terminal building which is currently under construction at Vijayawada Airport would have 6 aerobridges. Four aerobridges for domestic airlines and two exclusively for international flight boarding. Completion of the aerobridges for international aircraft would be a green signal for Emirates Airlines to move closer to launching operations from Vijayawada Airport, he added.

“Reportedly, Emirates is yet to evaluate financial feasibility of passenger flight service to Vijayawada. It is as crucial as airport infrastructure inspection and technical feasibility assessment for a new destination launch. With the news of Emirates considering flying to and from Vijayawada, we are happy for those customers in America, who are from Andhra Pradesh. They would be able to reach home with just one stop in Dubai and bypassing Hyderabad,” said the chief travel economist of Indian Eagle Travel.

If things go well, Emirates Airlines’ new destinations in 2025 may include Vijayawada. There are not only strong reasons for you to book Emirates flights to India, but also airfare discounts for your upcoming travel to India/USA.

The post Emirates’ New Destinations may Include Vijayawada in South India for Telugu Expats across Its US Network first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

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With more and more major airlines zeroing in on A350 aircraft to upgrade their fleet, Airbus 350-900 has become a ‘poster boy’ for modern aircraft in global aviation. While Air India’s brand new A350-900s have elevated non-stop travel experience between the east coast US and New Delhi, Emirates introduced A350 flights with signature ‘Premium Economy’ to India this Republic Day 2025. Mumbai and Ahmedabad are among the first few destinations for Emirates’ A350-900 aircraft, which may help the Dubai-based carrier compete with Air India, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific. At present, Singapore Airlines operates the biggest fleet of A350 aircraft.

Emirates’ award-winning Premium Economy seats are also available on double-decker superjumbo A380s that the airline operates for flights to Mumbai and Bengaluru. It is followed by the induction of Emirates A350-900s with spacious seating, swanky interiors, and best-in-class amenities, into India. With the phased delivery of A350-900 aircraft through 2025 and 2026, Emirates will be upgrading the flying experience for its passengers to other Indian destinations than flights to Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

Most recently, IndiGo – an Indian airline with the largest share of the domestic market – ordered 30 A350-900 aircraft for its long-haul flying plans. As many as thirty A350-1000s (a larger variant of A350) will join the fleet of Air India as part of the multibillion-dollar deal with Airbus. Early this year, Delta Airlines and EVA Air inked a deal with Airbus for tens of A350-1000 aircraft. Japan Airlines and Virgin Atlantic operate flights to/from New York JFK with A350s. Etihad Airways is not an exception here. the Abu Dhabi-based airline uses A350-1000 to operate flights to/from Chicago, USA.

You may wonder why A350-900 aircraft is so hyped. It is a fuel-efficient, long-range, widebody plane with quieter engines and better aerodynamics. It comes with high ceilings, expansive overhead bins, wider seats, improved cabin pressure, and advanced cockpit systems. Unlike superjumbo A380s which not all airports can accommodate, A350s have the body made of lightweight composite materials, thereby reducing the aircraft weight and carbon footprint in the sky. Precisely, A350-900 offers elevated inflight experience in all travel cabins.

“Emirates A350, which is said to be a game changer, will have 21 Premium Economy seats, 32 Business Class seats (full-flat beds), and 259 seats in Economy. With another lot of ten A350-900 aircraft to be delivered in early 2025, Emirates Airlines will expand its A350 operations to more destinations in India, USA and other countries. Like Emirates A380s which have made a cut with premium passengers, A350s will surely provide top-notch experience in Premium Economy and on business class flights,” said Sourav Agarwal, the Editor of Travel Beats, a leading international travel news & community portal.

The post Emirates’ Brand New A350 Flights with Signature ‘Premium Economy’ Debut in India This Republic Day first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Emirates’ Brand New A350 Flights with Signature ‘Premium Economy’ Debut in India This Republic Day appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Of late, a woman traveler’s voice in the New York Times’ ethics column took everyone aback. She wrote about her ordeal of traveling in economy with kids, while her husband takes to the fancy of flying in luxury as he pays for his business class travel or gets an upgrade to Business Class for himself though they travel together. It is primarily because he finds business class flight tickets too expensive to afford for the entire family. Netizens called this strange, unfair, and iniquitous.

Premium Economy comes into play where long-haul business class travel breaks the bank. It is the middle-of-the-road travel class between Economy and Business. It suits both, business travelers on a budget and economy travelers willing to pay a little more for added comfort. Premium Economy tickets cost a little more than economy class airfares and less than business class flight deals online.

Emirates’ Premium Economy destinations

The list of international routes where Emirates operates flights with Premium Economy seats is widening every year. Since early 2024, Emirates’ premium economy offering on select flights to and from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata has been fetching good customer reviews to Indian Eagle. Mostly double-decker A380s and brand-new A350s deployed for Emirates flights to India feature this travel cabin. 

Come 29 January 2026, Cochin International Airport will join Emirates’ premium economy network. The airline will offer premium economy seats on two of its seven weekly flights to Kochi, Kerala.      

Where in the USA Emirates offers premium economy travel to?    

New York, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, and Los Angeles are among Emirates’ Premium Economy destinations. Also, this network includes Singapore, Sydney, Shanghai, Colombo, Seoul, Tokyo, Auckland, Melbourne, Male, London, Zurich, Dublin, Frankfurt, Brisbane, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Emirates Premium Economy seats’ features

Among all airlines, Emirates has the best premium economy seats, according to Skytrax Awards, the Oscars of aviation. In Emirates’ fleet, mostly A380s, A350s and B777s have Premium Economy with luxurious leathered seats, quality inflight food, and award-winning inflight entertainment. Emirates’ wide-body fleet is being retrofitted with this travel cabin for millions of dollars. Sophisticated interiors, highly aesthetic design, leather seating, and business-class-like service make Emirates Premium Economy a class apart from other airlines.

What’s the difference between Emirates’ Standard Economy and Premium Economy? The main difference is the comfort of seating long hours on 19.5-inch wide, cushioned seats with adjustable headrests and greater recline in Premium Economy.  The seats offer a 40-inch legroom pitch, thereby providing enough cozy space for you to stretch out on raised leg rests. On the other hand, Emirates’ 17.5-in wide economy seats have a shorter legroom pitch up to 34 inches.

“The cream-toned leather seats are accessorized with fluffier pillows to comfort your back when you recline the body during a long-haul flight. A signature motif of the ghaf tree (the UAE’s national tree) in gold is one of the exquisite features of the meticulously designed interior,” said Dheeraj Duvvuru, CEO of IndianEagle.com. 

Can you sleep on Emirates Premium Economy flights? 

Premium Economy seats are unlike lie-flat beds on business class flights of premium airlines. However, you can lounge your body from head to toe and catch a good sleep on Emirates’ spacious premium economy seats with a greater recline and an adjustable leg rest. If uncompromised comfort is a prerequisite for you to get sound sleep during a long-haul flight, Emirates is your go-to airline.

Emirates Premium Economy perks

Should you upgrade to Emirates’ Premium Economy from standard economy? Yes, it is not just for luxury, spacious seating, but also personalized attention and service on board. Separate check-in, priority boarding, and generous check-in baggage allowance are among the perks of booking Premium Economy tickets of Emirates flights to/from USA.

Emirates’ A380s without First Class have Premium Economy with its own lavatory on the front of the upper deck. A380s with First Class have Premium Economy seats on the front of the lower deck. The front location makes it possible for guests to exit the aircraft before economy travelers, thereby facilitating their transfer to the next connecting flight (if they have any) during a short layover.

Do Emirates’ premium economy perks include lounge access?

Like most airlines with premium economy class, Emirates does not provide complimentary lounge access to premium economy guests. Not even Emirates’ best flight deals for premium economy travel to major destinations come with this facility. Instead, you can buy Emirates’ lounge service at the origin/connection/destination airport and call Indian Eagle’s customer helpline +1800-615-3969 for affordable phone-only deals.

Does Emirates Premium Economy have Wi-Fi?

Yes, Emirates offers free Wi-Fi among its premium economy perks to all Skywards members (Blue, Silver, Gold, Platinum), regardless of itineraries and fares. Higher-tier members receive unlimited Internet data for free. If you are not a Skywards member, you can purchase an inflight Wi-Fi plan.

Dining on Emirates Premium Economy flights

Quality inflight dining is a hallmark of Emirates’ Premium Economy service to New York, San Francisco and other destinations. Global dishes with seasonal flavors that Emirates’ cosmopolitan chefs cook for Premium Economy guests are elegantly served on Royal Doulton China tableware with stainless steel cutlery wrapped in linen, emulating the sophistication of a fine-dining restaurant. “Be it a continental breakfast or a multicourse lunch/dinner, you are sure to discover a meal to suit your taste from our regional monthly menus,” said Emirates. Lunch and dinner are complemented with fruit salad and delectable desserts.

“What elevates your ‘Premium Economy’ experience with Emirates is that you can celebrate a special occasion on board if it coincides with your flight. You can contact the airline and order a celebration cake of vanilla or chocolate flavor 48 hours before your scheduled departure,” said the chief travel economist of Indian Eagle Travel. Emirates Premium Economy reviews that we have received from our customers are positive about the range of inflight beverages, including wines and vintages from Business Class,” he added.

We are thrilled to see our partner’s premium economy class in service after three years of the pandemic-induced hiccups to its launch. As a leading air-ticketing partner of Emirates Airlines, we will offer our customers and newsletter subscribers cheap flights tickets to India for Premium Economy travel from USA once this brand new cabin is fully available in the US-India corridor.

The post You must Upgrade to Emirates Premium Economy that Makes Travel Cheaper than Business, Better than Economy first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post You must Upgrade to Emirates Premium Economy that Makes Travel Cheaper than Business, Better than Economy appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.