Everyone’s talking about this new economy seat - but they’re not all convinced

No one heads into an economy long-haul flight expecting it to be an overly comfortable experience – just something to endure before a holiday can begin.

But Emirates has introduced a new seat feature in economy that could change the game for those of us at the back of the plane.

Typically, economy seat headrests have little ‘wings’ which fold out to cradle your head while you rest on board.

But Emirates’ new seat design features a padded neck rest that folds down from the seat, giving passengers neck support on which they can rest the side of their head.

One flyer uploaded a video of the seat feature, writing that it ended up being one of the best flights of her life.

Emirates confirmed the new U-Dream headrest is a “multi-way adjustable headrest”, and will be added to economy seats on all Emirates A350’s and most of its Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s.

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Developed in collaboration with Safran Seats, the headrest is padded and has flexible side wings that can be folded inwards to cradle the head and neck. 

“Emirates never rests on its laurels when it comes to customer experience, and we have found a way to significantly improve the comfort for Economy Class passengers, especially those travelling long-haul,” President Emirates Airlines, Sir Tim Clark, said.

Emirates is the first airline in the world to introduce such a design, and it already has passengers talking.

While some people are calling the design “life-changing” online and hoping it’ll make for more comfortable flights, many others have the same question about the height of the neck rest.

“As a short person, can I adjust the height of it? I can see it hitting the centre of my skull and not my actual neck which would be so annoying,” one person told nine.com.au after seeing a photo of the design.

“I just can’t see it sitting at the right height to not feel like I’m getting strangled or it sitting around my cheekbones,” another said. “In theory it could work, but personally, I have my doubts, mainly because nothing on a flight is ever comfortable in economy.”

Similarly, for tall people, will the headrest be able to fully pull down, or will it just bounce off their shoulders? Emirates confirmed both the height and the angle of the neck rest are adjustable.

Other travellers are worried about the hygiene aspect of a feature like this. “I’d want to know how they’re cleaned between flights,” a concerned traveller said. “What kind of bacteria/makeup/etc. is rubbing onto the face rest portion and then being passed from one traveller to the next?”

Commenters on Reddit also pointed out the propensity for people to drool on their headrests while napping.

Per the airline, customers are reporting that the U-Dream headrest is easy to adjust and use.

The airline also confirmed its made of leather, is designed to be wiped down and is cleaned after every flight.

Emirates has also brought changes to its Premium Economy offering for passengers, adding 6-way adjustable headrests, built-in charging ports and side cocktail tables.