[ 2021-03-14 ]

Emirates will now let you pay to not sit next to a stranger
Emirates has begun to offer a new product in the
economy class cabin of its aircraft. The airline
will let passengers pay to block the seats next to
them where availability exists, starting at $55.


Emirates, Economy, Extra Seat
Emirates is to begin allowing passengers to pay to
reserve empty seats next to them. Photo: Tom Boon
– Simple Flying
Paying to block seats on a flight isn’t
necessarily a new option. Indeed, Air New Zealand
has offered products such as an additional seat
for quite some time now.

However, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has made
such offerings more attractive to both airlines
and customers. Last week we saw Kenya Airways
launch the product with the name Economy MAX. Now
it is Emirates’ turn.

More space onboard Emirates
Emirates is now giving economy class passengers
the chance to upgrade their experience while
traveling with the Dubai-based airline. Such
passengers will now be able to purchase up to
three adjoining seats where there is availability.
Such seats will range from $55 to $165, plus
taxes.

The service is not available to pre-book and will
only be offered at the check-in counter. By taking
this approach, the airline can ensure it doesn’t
stop another passenger booking one of the seats
for the full fare but instead makes a little extra
off of a seat that will be empty anyway. The
offering comes shortly after the UAE airline
debuted its new premium economy cabin.


Emirates, Economy, Extra Seat
Passengers will be able to reserve up to three
seats starting at $55 each. Photo: Emirates
Why additional seats make sense right now
Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, it makes
sense now more than ever for airlines to start
selling additional seats to passengers. From the
airline’s point of view, the seat will be empty
anyway. By allowing a passenger to guarantee that
they’ll sit next to the open seat, the airline
is making money on the seat.

However, the initiative will also be welcomed by
passengers. While they can still have a chance of
getting an empty seat next to them, this new
service gives them a guarantee. Given that some
people may still be apprehensive of traveling
during the pandemic, $55-165 could be a small
price to pay for that little extra assurance.

What else is Emirates doing?
Alongside the empty seat announcement, Emirates
also revealed today that it would be boosting its
frequency to Khartoum, the Sudanese capital city.
Next Tuesday (March 9th), Emirates will up flights
to the city to daily with its Boeing 777
aircraft.

Emirates, Dubai International Airport, Contactless
Check-in
Emirates is also upping its Khartoum flight
frequency to daily. Photo: Vincenzo Pace –
Simple Flying
Commenting on the increased frequency, Khalfan Al
Salami, Emirates’ Country Manager Sudan said,

Emirates is the top choice for travellers in
Sudan, and we are committed to growing our
operations to and from Khartoum further to support
the country’s post-pandemic recovery and help
grow opportunities for future trade and
investment.

Source - simpleflying

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