Speaking to the Australian travel magazine Executive Traveller, Emirates’ president, Sir Tim Clark, acknowledged that the airline has been falling behind competitors by not equipping its business class seats with sliding privacy doors. Clark confirmed that the airline’s much-anticipated new business class suites, featuring these sought-after doors, will debut on its Boeing 777X aircraft. However, due to prolonged delays in Boeing’s 777X programme, Emirates has been forced to redesign its original concept to remain competitive.
Originally scheduled for delivery in 2020, the first Emirates 777X is now expected no sooner than 2026. The delay has forced the airline to reassess its product offering, particularly as many rival airlines have already introduced fully enclosed business class suites.
Boeing Delays Push Emirates to Rethink Strategy
The Boeing 777X delays have come at a substantial financial cost to Emirates, with the airline spending up to €30 million scrapping its initial business class designs. Clark admitted that advancements in technology and passenger expectations necessitated a full redesign.
“We were fixed on the product for some time, believing we’d have it ready for flight this October. Clearly, that’s not happening,” Clark stated. “If we have to stop and introduce new designs, we will do that—and Boeing will have to bear the cost for the seven-year delay.”
Emirates has a large order of 205 Boeing 777X jets, making it one of the aircraft’s biggest customers. Clark estimated that had Boeing stuck to schedule, Emirates would already have 107 of them in service.
Falling Behind in Business Class Innovation
Clark admitted that business class suites with doors have become a defining feature of premium travel, making Emirates’ decision to delay their rollout increasingly problematic.
“I see airlines introducing business suites with doors, but we were slipping. The damage is a brand impact,” Clark acknowledged.
To address this, Emirates has been retrofitting its Boeing 777-300ERs and Airbus A380s, transitioning from the outdated 2-3-2 business class layout to a more modern configuration. However, even these upgrades lack privacy doors, drawing criticism from industry experts who argue that Emirates is not keeping up with passenger expectations.
Meanwhile, leading competitors such as Qatar Airways, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines have already introduced fully enclosed business class suites, setting a higher standard in premium travel.
What to Expect from the 777X Business Class?
While Emirates has yet to reveal specific design details, speculation suggests a collaboration with Safran, a prominent manufacturer of high-end airline seating.
Clark suggested that the new business class will feature cutting-edge technology, improved seating comfort, enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity, and state-of-the-art inflight entertainment. Given the airline’s extensive investment in modernising its existing fleet, expectations are high that the 777X cabins will offer a significant improvement over Emirates’ current Airbus A350 business class.
Implications for the Industry
Emirates’ decision to finally introduce business class suites with doors will have a significant impact on the industry, particularly in the competitive Middle Eastern aviation market. While Qatar Airways’ Qsuite and Etihad’s Business Studio have already raised the bar, Emirates’ delayed but long-awaited upgrade will help the airline reclaim its place at the forefront of premium travel.
Despite the setbacks, Emirates remains committed to ensuring that when the 777X finally enters service, it will offer a world-class business class experience that not only meets but exceeds customer expectations.
Conclusion
Emirates’ decision to delay introducing privacy suites in business class has put the airline at a disadvantage, but its upcoming 777X product aims to rectify this. The delays in Boeing’s 777X programme have had a major impact, but Emirates’ commitment to reinvesting and redesigning highlights its determination to maintain its reputation as a premium aviation leader.
With the new business class suites set to launch in 2026, Emirates hopes to offer a superior luxury experience—one that will restore its competitive edge in the global airline industry and redefine premium travel expectations.
