November 27 marked a major milestone for Emirates when it welcomed its first-ever Airbus A350-900. The move represents the continued expansion of the airline’s fleet and global reach. Despite the exciting news, Emirates president Tim Clark expressed frustration over long delays with Boeing’s 777X jets.

Long-Awaited Airbus A350 Debuts

The Airbus A350-900 is the first of 65 on order. It will begin service on January 3, 2025. Its inaugural flight will be from Dubai to Edinburgh, Scotland. Emirates has been waiting on this delivery since August—after initial delays pushed the timeline back from 2023.

“We’re a frustrated entity because we need airplanes, and we need them now,” Clark explained at the delivery ceremony, according to Bloomberg.

The A350 complements Emirates’ existing long-haul fleet, which includes Boeing 777s and Airbus A380 double-deckers. The 312-seat jet offers several new features, including refreshed business, premium economy, and economy cabins. The goal? To provide passengers with enhanced comfort and more modern amenities.

Tim Clark Calls Out Boeing Over Delays

While celebrating the new A350, Clark didn’t hold back on Emirates’ ongoing frustrations with Boeing. Emirates ordered 205 of Boeing’s 777X jets—roughly 40% of the global 777X orderbook. Clark said the airline should already have 85 new jets in its fleet. It doesn’t. 

“I fail to see how Boeing can make any meaningful forecasts of delivery dates,” Clark told Business Insider in October. “We will be having a serious conversation with them over the next couple of months.”

Emirates relies on a modernized fleet to meet the growing demands of its passengers. As a result, the recent delays have created significant challenges.

Initial Routes and Future Plans

Emirates’ new A350-900 will launch nine routes in 2025. The airline also expects to receive a longer-range version of the A350 next summer. The model will service flights of up to 16 hours. The variant will optimize fuel efficiency and extend range by including fewer seats—298 instead of 312.

Already considered a leader in long-haul travel, the initial A350 routes will strengthen Emirates’ ability to serve European destinations and beyond.

Upgraded A350 Cabin Experience

Emirates’ A350 will feature three classes: 32 business seats, 21 premium economy seats, and 259 economy seats.

Business Class

The A350 business class is inspired by Emirates’ Airbus A380s and refurbished Boeing 777s. Its 1-2-1 configuration gives each passenger direct aisle access.

“While the A350 won’t have the onboard bar or showers found on our A380s, it still delivers a very private and high-quality experience,” the airline noted.

The A350 won’t include flyer-favorite doors seen on other carriers, but the business seats do include improved storage and a minibar.

Premium Economy

With its popular premium economy cabin, Emirates offers a hybrid option between business and economy. The seats feature a 2-3-2 layout with deep reclines, as well as leg and footrests. Passengers also have access to 13.3-inch inflight screens.

Premium economy has been a strong selling point for Emirates. It’s the preferred option for travelers who want extra comfort—without the price tag of business class.

Economy Class

Economy on the A350 introduces a redesigned seat. Its six-way adjustable headrest adds increased comfort. With its 3-3-3 layout, the cabin matches the industry standard for long-haul flights.

Passengers can also expect several amenities: 32 inches of legroom, wood-textured tray tables, power ports, and a large inflight entertainment screen. Similar to those in higher cabins, electric window blinds add a modern touch.

“Comfort remains at the core of what we offer in economy,” Emirates confirmed. “Passengers can enjoy hot meals, generous space, and exceptional inflight service.”

A Strategic Addition to the Fleet

The A350-900 offers new efficiency and flexibility, thereby enhancing Emirates’ operations. The jet’s fuel-efficient design allows the airline to open new routes and optimize performance on long-haul flights.

Emirates plans to leverage the A350’s capabilities while continuing discussions with Boeing over its delayed 777X orders. Despite the challenges, Clark remains focused on delivering a superior passenger experience and growing Emirates’ global network.

“This aircraft marks the start of an exciting chapter,” Clark concluded. “We remain committed to offering our customers the best in comfort, innovation, and service.”