Emirates has officially launched its first Airbus A350 service to London Gatwick, marking a milestone for both the airline and the airport as Premium Economy is introduced on the Dubai to Gatwick route for the first time. The move expands Emirates’ footprint in the United Kingdom, adds capacity on one of its most strategically important corridors, and gives travelers in the south of England access to the carrier’s newest cabin product and latest-generation aircraft.
A New Chapter for Emirates at London Gatwick
The inaugural A350 service to London Gatwick began operating in early February 2026 as flight EK069 from Dubai to Gatwick and EK070 on the return leg. The new rotation becomes Emirates’ fourth daily service on the route, complementing three existing daily Airbus A380 flights. This upgrade transforms Gatwick into the airline’s first London gateway to be regularly served by the Airbus A350, long regarded as one of the most efficient and passenger-friendly widebody jets in the skies.
On the ground at Gatwick, the arrival of the A350 marks an important step in the airport’s strategy to strengthen its long haul network and premium offering. For passengers, the additional frequency means more flexibility in departure times, particularly in the evening. EK069 departs Dubai at 17:05 and reaches Gatwick at 20:50, ideal for business travelers finishing a working day in the United Arab Emirates and leisure passengers seeking a comfortable overnight connection heading home to the United Kingdom.
The return service, EK070, leaves Gatwick at 23:55 and lands in Dubai at 11:00 the following morning. This schedule is designed to dovetail neatly with Emirates’ extensive bank of onward connections across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. Travelers can now tap into one of the world’s largest connecting networks while experiencing Emirates’ latest cabin innovations throughout the journey.
Premium Economy Arrives at Gatwick for the First Time
For London Gatwick passengers, the most notable development is the debut of Emirates’ Premium Economy cabin on the Dubai route. Previously available from London Heathrow and a growing selection of global gateways, this highly popular product bridges the gap between Economy and Business Class and has become a key part of the airline’s strategy to diversify its offering.
The A350 operating to Gatwick is configured in three classes with 32 Business Class seats, 28 Premium Economy seats, and 238 seats in Economy Class. Within that layout, Premium Economy is positioned as a distinct, upscale experience, offering significantly more comfort, enhanced dining, and upgraded amenities when compared with standard Economy. For many travelers, especially on overnight or medium haul flights, it provides a compelling value proposition without the full price tag of Business Class.
Demand for Emirates’ Premium Economy has surged since its introduction on refitted A380s and subsequent expansion to more routes. The decision to add the cabin to Gatwick reflects the strong appetite among both leisure and corporate travelers in the south of England for a product that combines extra personal space, elevated service, and more attentive touches with comparatively accessible fares.
Inside the New Premium Economy Experience
Emirates’ Premium Economy on the A350 is designed to feel closer to Business Class on many carriers than to a traditional Economy seat. Travelers can expect spacious leather reclining seats arranged in a 2 3 2 layout, giving most passengers either direct access to the aisle or only one neighbor. Seat pitch is generous, allowing for comfortable legroom, while leg rests and footrests support a more relaxed sleeping position on overnight sectors between Dubai and London.
The seats are equipped with adjustable headrests, in seat power and USB C charging, and a side cocktail table to complement the main tray table. Each passenger enjoys a large personal inflight entertainment screen, measuring around 13 inches, with access to Emirates’ extensive ice system. The experience is further enhanced by soft furnishings including a generously sized pillow and blanket, curated for long haul comfort.
Dining in Premium Economy also receives a notable upgrade. Meals are typically presented on china with metal cutlery, and menus lean toward seasonal ingredients and more refined presentation than in the main Economy cabin. On eligible flights, passengers are offered a welcome drink that may include a dedicated sparkling wine option, underscoring the premium positioning of the cabin. Amenity kits are also provided on select services, adding another layer of comfort for long haul travelers.
Next Generation A350 Cabin Design and Technology
Beyond Premium Economy, the Airbus A350 brings a host of cabin enhancements across all three classes. Emirates’ A350 interiors have been developed as a next generation evolution of the airline’s well known style, combining its signature aesthetic with a more modern, streamlined look. High ceilings, larger windows, and quieter engines help create a more spacious and tranquil environment on board.
In Business Class, seats are arranged in a 1 2 1 configuration, ensuring every passenger has direct aisle access. The suites recline into fully flat beds and feature large 4K screens, personal storage, multiple power outlets, and in some cases wireless charging pads. The mood lighting is carefully tuned to support circadian rhythms, helping to reduce jet lag on long overnight flights between Dubai and Europe.
The A350 also introduces upgraded inflight entertainment and connectivity. Emirates has installed its latest ice platform, with ultra responsive 4K or 4K HDR displays, enhanced graphics, and improved search and navigation. Passengers can pair personal Bluetooth headphones to their seatback screens, access digital menus, and browse thousands of hours of movies, series, music, and live television channels.
Connectivity has been significantly improved as well, with high performance Wi Fi supported by satellite technology designed to deliver much higher bandwidth than previous systems. This should allow more passengers to stay online simultaneously for messaging, browsing, and light streaming, an increasingly important expectation on business and leisure trips alike.
Strengthening Emirates’ Network and UK Strategy
The launch of the A350 to London Gatwick fits into a wider expansion of Emirates’ A350 network and its long standing commitment to the United Kingdom. With the addition of this fourth daily Gatwick service, the airline now operates a record number of weekly flights between Dubai and the UK, with London alone accounting for a major share through Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted.
Gatwick holds particular significance in Emirates’ history. It was the airline’s first UK destination in the late 1980s and has since evolved into a crucial hub for connecting passengers from southern England and the wider region. By investing its newest aircraft type on the route, Emirates is reinforcing Gatwick’s status within its global network and signaling long term confidence in demand between the UK and Dubai, as well as onward connections to Asia, Africa, and Australasia.
From a strategic standpoint, the new A350 flight gives Emirates greater scheduling diversity across the London area, enabling it to target different traveler segments with tailored timings and products. While Heathrow continues to serve as a flagship hub with multiple A380 services and a high concentration of premium and corporate travelers, Gatwick has grown into a complementary gateway that attracts a mix of leisure families, cost conscious travelers, and an increasing number of small and medium sized businesses.
Benefits for Travelers in the South of England
For passengers based in London, the southeast, and southern England more broadly, the A350 launch to Gatwick offers tangible practical benefits. Many travelers find Gatwick easier to reach than Heathrow, particularly from counties such as Sussex, Surrey, Kent, and parts of the south coast. Direct access to Emirates’ full three cabin offering including Premium Economy means these passengers no longer need to transit via Heathrow to enjoy the newest product.
The evening departure from Dubai and late night departure from Gatwick also expand the range of connection choices. Business travelers can schedule full working days at their destination before flying, while leisure passengers can enjoy almost a full day on holiday before heading to the airport. For families, the timing may be particularly attractive, allowing children to sleep for much of the journey in the more generous seating of Premium Economy or the quieter environment of the A350 generally.
Additionally, the new flight increases the overall number of seats available between Dubai and Gatwick each day, helping to absorb strong demand during peak holiday seasons and key travel periods. This may translate into greater fare choice across cabins and more redemption opportunities for frequent flyers looking to use miles on the route.
The A350’s Role in Emirates’ Evolving Fleet
The Airbus A350 is steadily becoming a core pillar of Emirates’ long haul fleet, sitting alongside the A380 and the Boeing 777. After entering commercial service with the airline in 2025, the type has progressively appeared on routes across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Each new destination showcases Emirates’ refreshed cabin concept, including Premium Economy, updated Business Class, and improved Economy seating.
As more A350s are delivered, Emirates is deploying them on routes where their combination of fuel efficiency, range, and passenger comfort offers the greatest benefit. London Gatwick fits this profile, with strong year round demand, a mix of high yield and leisure traffic, and an airport infrastructure that benefits from quieter, more environmentally efficient aircraft.
In parallel with the A350 roll out, Emirates continues a large scale cabin retrofit of its existing A380 and Boeing 777 fleet, adding Premium Economy and upgrading other cabins. The arrival of the A350 at Gatwick is therefore not an isolated move but part of a broader multiyear effort to harmonize the onboard experience and widen access to newer products. Travelers flying via Gatwick will now see first hand how this next generation strategy looks and feels.
What This Means for the Broader Travel Landscape
Emirates’ first A350 service to London Gatwick, coupled with the debut of Premium Economy on the route, highlights a wider shift in long haul travel. Airlines are increasingly focusing on differentiated cabins and more granular segmentation of the passenger experience. Premium Economy has emerged as one of the fastest growing products in this space, appealing to cost conscious business travelers seeking more comfort than Economy offers and leisure passengers willing to pay extra for a better journey on key trips.
For London Gatwick, the new flight reinforces the airport’s position as a serious player in long haul connectivity, not just a base for low cost and short haul traffic. Adding a state of the art aircraft with a full suite of premium cabins strengthens Gatwick’s attractiveness to travelers and may encourage further investment from other global carriers aiming to diversify their London operations beyond Heathrow.
For travelers, the development ultimately translates into more choice. Those flying between Dubai and London can now decide between multiple departure airports, different aircraft types, and four cabin options across the Emirates network, including the increasingly coveted Premium Economy. As the A350 continues to spread across Emirates’ network, passengers connecting through Dubai will have more opportunities to experience the carrier’s newest aircraft, with Gatwick now firmly on the map as one of its showcase gateways.