Emirates’ new premium economy seat feature tackles the most awkward part of plane travel

Unless you’re sitting in business class, privacy is but a distant memory on a plane. If you’re not silently battling a stranger for armrest real estate, you’re trying to ignore their side-eye as you cry over the corniest of rom-coms.

But one airline is looking to change that – for a certain group of passengers, at least.

Emirates has announced it’s adding electric, adjustable privacy screens to premium economy seats on its incoming Airbus A350 fleet.

The full-height screens will be placed between each seat, allowing travellers to raise the divider and luxuriate in a (relatively) private space with the push of a button – a privilege usually only afforded to business and first class passengers.

Just imagine: no more small talk or eye contact at awkward moments. Freedom to put on a sheet mask and watch your most embarrassing comfort movies without fear of judgement.

Emirates claimed the new feature is a world-first for premium economy cabins.

The new seats are also a milestone for the airline, marking the first fully electrically powered seat in premium economy.

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“Customers can also adjust their preferred seating position at the touch of a button using the integrated Passenger Control Unit, with dedicated settings like lounge mode and meal mode,” Emirates said in a statement.

The Airbus A350 will boast 28 premium economy seats in a 2-3-2 layout.

The chairs have also been decked out with U-Dream headrests, with adjustable leather ‘wings’ that provide added neck and head support, along with a foot rest.

Now, if you need us, we’ll be busy manifesting privacy screens to be universally rolled out to economy cabins...