Emirates’ Ambitious $2 Billion Investment to Transform Inflight Customer Experience
Emirates, a globally recognized airline renowned for its commitment to excellence, is setting the bar even higher with a bold $2 billion investment to elevate the inflight customer experience. The airline, often associated with luxury travel, is embracing a forward-thinking approach by retrofitting over 120 of its aircraft with state-of-the-art interiors and introducing a slew of enhancements across all cabins, commencing in 2022.
Sir Tim Clark, the President of Emirates Airline, emphasized their dedication to delivering unparalleled experiences to customers, even in the face of industry challenges. He stated, “While others respond to industry pressures with cost cuts, Emirates is flying against the grain and investing to deliver ever better experiences to our customers.”
This significant investment will encompass a range of improvements designed to provide passengers with an unforgettable journey, reflecting Emirates’ commitment to pushing the boundaries of in-flight service.
Savoring Elevated Dining Experiences
One of the highlights of this ambitious initiative is the revamp of the dining experience. Emirates has enlisted an award-winning team of chefs, a world-class catering crew, and a variety of suppliers to curate a world-class dining experience in the sky. Passengers in First Class will be treated to a new menu filled with exquisite dishes, including pan-fried salmon trout with moqueca sauce and creole rice, roasted duck breast with orange thyme jus, and steamed broccolini and fondant potatoes. This culinary transformation will also extend to Business and Economy Class, with new menus scheduled to be introduced in September.
Embracing the Vegan Lifestyle
In response to the growing interest in plant-based diets, Emirates is launching a meticulously crafted vegan menu. This purposeful and thoughtful menu is designed to cater to the needs and desires of passengers following a vegan lifestyle. The menu offers a range of gourmet dishes, such as pan-roasted king oyster mushrooms, flavorsome jackfruit biryani, and sliced kohlrabi garnished with burnt orange. Desserts in the vegan menu are equally indulgent, featuring options like chocolate truffle cake with hazelnut, pistachio, and gold leaf, and a green grape tart adorned with candied rose petals, vanilla custard, and berry compote glistening with yuzu pearls. These delectable vegan dishes can be pre-ordered in all cabin classes.
Champagne and Caviar Excellence
First Class travelers can expect an elevated experience in 2022, including the indulgence of unlimited portions of Persian caviar as part of Emirates’ ‘dine on demand’ service. This lavish treat is perfectly complemented by the inclusion of the world-renowned Dom Perignon vintage champagne. Notably, Emirates is the exclusive airline with the privilege of offering this luxury brand on board.
Cinema in the Sky
In a move that caters to entertainment enthusiasts, First Class passengers can create memorable movie moments while onboard by ordering cinema snacks as they enjoy the 5,000 channels on Emirates’ ice inflight entertainment system. The cinema snack menu features irresistible options like lobster rolls, juicy sliders, edamame, and salted popcorn, all available on demand. For added convenience, all passengers can pre-select their choice of movies or TV shows via the Emirates app, which can then be seamlessly synced to the ice system upon boarding, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.
Prioritizing Sustainability
Emirates is also making strides in sustainability by offering customers departing from Dubai the opportunity to enjoy fresh greens harvested from Bustanica, the world’s largest vertical farm. This joint venture investment of $40 million is a testament to the airline’s commitment to sustainable operations and supply chains. Emirates aims to source food locally, providing passengers with the freshest and most environmentally friendly produce possible.
Excellence Through Specialized Training
In its relentless pursuit of service excellence, Emirates has partnered with Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, one of the world’s top hospitality management schools, to craft the Emirates Hospitality strategy. This initiative aims to empower cabin crew with specialized training programs focused on delivering excellence in the four pillars of service: Excellence, Attentiveness, Innovation, and Passion.
Upgraded Cabin Interiors for a Refreshed Journey
A substantial portion of this significant investment is dedicated to the refurbishment of aircraft interiors. Emirates plans to retrofit its cabins with new or reupholstered seats, new paneling, flooring, and other cabin features. The makeover will encompass all cabin classes and introduce new Premium Economy cabins, making Emirates the sole airline in the region to offer this cabin class. The retrofitting process is scheduled to commence in November, with meticulous planning and trials already underway.
In conclusion, Emirates is set to redefine the inflight customer experience with its remarkable $2 billion investment. This commitment to excellence, sustainability, and innovation will undoubtedly provide passengers with extraordinary journeys, solidifying Emirates’ position as a leader in the airline industry. So, for those with a taste for luxury and an eye for quality, there has never been a better time to fly Emirates.
