On October 17, 2025, Emirates (EK), one of the two busiest Middle East carrier by flight hours, marked a pivotal milestone in its Scandinavian operations with the launch of its Airbus A350 service to Oslo, Norway. The inaugural flight landed at Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL), introducing Emirates’ acclaimed Premium Economy cabin to the region for the first time.
Emirates is the carrier that offers one of the best economy class seats, albiet in its double decker Airbus A380. The event marking the launch of the carrier’s A350 including the Premium Economy was an exclusive ceremony attended by senior airline executives, government officials, and media representatives.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Fleet Size | 270+ aircraft |
| Hubs | Dubai International Airport (DXB) |
| Destinations | 145+ across six continents |
Why Emirates chose Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) for launching its A350?
Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) serves as Norway’s primary international gateway and is strategically positioned to connect Nordic travelers to global destinations. Emirates has operated daily flights between Dubai and Oslo since 2014, and the introduction of the A350 aircraft marks a significant upgrade in service quality and capacity.
The Airbus A350 first took flight on June 14, 2013, and entered commercial service in January 2015 with Qatar Airways. Designed for long-haul efficiency and passenger comfort, the A350 features advanced aerodynamics, carbon-fiber fuselage, and next-generation engines.
Airbus A350s better performance has led many carriers to either order these aircraft or deploy this aircraft on the various routes they are operating. Some of the recent examples include:
- Discovery Airlines (4Y) recently ordered A350 to join its fleet to replace the Airbus A320s.
- British Airways (BA) replaced operations from its Boeing 777-200ER on its daily service between London Heathrow (LHR) and Nashville International Airport (BNA), Nashville, Tennessee using the Airbus A350-1000.
- Swiss International Air Lines (LX) welcomed its first Airbus A350-900, registered HB-IFA, from Airbus’s Toulouse (TLS – Toulouse Blagnac Airport) facility.
[ Note: The Airbus A350 is deployed in operations in some of the longest non-stop flights in the world, most notably by Singapore Airlines. For details you can read our guide here: In Pictures: The World’s 10 Longest One-Stop Flights in 2025 – Avio Space ]
Emirates began integrating the A350 into its fleet in 2024.
Emirates A350 fleet data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Current number of A350s operated | 10 |
| Historic | 0 |
| Average age | 1.2 years |
| Age of the oldest A350 | 1.6 years |
| Age of the youngest A350 | 0.8 years |
“Another wing-design feature is the Variable Camber (VC). The VC allows the flaps to be deflected symmetrically in cruise to optimise the wing profile and better control the longitudinal loads on the wing optimising the lift over drag ratio in cruise. The Differential Flaps Settings (DFS), unique to the A350, optimises cruise aerodynamic efficiency and lateral loads through the control of the wing centre of the lift position where inner and outer flaps are deflected differentially. Both VC and DFS are fully transparent for the pilots and are embedded into the flight control laws. The overall result is an extremely efficient wing that produces more lift with less weight and is capable of advanced load handling performance that helps to reduce the aircraft’s fuel burn and CO2 emissions.”
Emirates A350 cabin configuration
The oldest A350 in Emirates’ fleet is configured C32W21Y259. Here are the details:
| Attribute | Business | Premium Economy | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Type & Configuration | 32 Safran seats arranged 1-2-1 with direct aisle access | 21 Recaro PL3530 seats arranged 2-3-2 | 259 seats arranged 3-3-3 |
| Key Features | Converts to 78.6″ fully-flat bed, secured stowage for personal items, gasper vent below TV, snack & soft drink shelf | Six-way adjustable headrest, calf rest, footrest, retractable bi-folding table | Six-way adjustable headrest, retractable bi-folding table |
| Row Pitch | 44″ | 40″ | 32″ |
| Seat Width | 20.7″ | 19.5″ | 18″ |
| Recline / Bed Length | 78.6″ fully-flat bed | 8″ recline | 6″ recline |
| Display | Static 23″ 4K UHD touchscreen | Pivoting 13.3″ 4K UHD touchscreen | Pivoting 13.3″ 4K UHD touchscreen |
| Power Options | Universal AC, 2×60W USB-C, 1×10W USB-A, wireless charging | USB-A, USB-C, universal AC sockets | USB-A, USB-C, universal AC sockets |
On the other hand, only one A350 operated by Emirates is configured C32W28Y238. Here are the details:
| Attribute | Business | Premium Economy | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Type & Configuration | 32 Safran seats arranged 1-2-1 with direct aisle access | 28 Recaro PL3530 seats arranged 2-3-2 | 238 seats arranged 3-3-3 |
| Key Features | Converts to 78.6″ fully-flat bed, secured stowage for personal items, gasper vent below TV, shelf stocked with snacks and soft drinks | Six-way adjustable headrest, calf rest, footrest, retractable bi-folding table | Six-way adjustable headrest, retractable bi-folding table |
| Row Pitch | 44″ | 40″ | 32″ |
| Seat Width | 20.7″ | 19.5″ | 18″ |
| Recline / Bed Length | 78.6″ fully-flat bed | 8″ recline | 6″ recline |
| Display | Static 23″ 4K UHD touchscreen | Pivoting 13.3″ 4K UHD touchscreen | Pivoting 13.3″ 4K UHD touchscreen |
| Power Options | Universal AC, 2×60W USB-C, 1×10W USB-A, wireless charging | USB-A, USB-C, universal AC sockets | USB-A and USB-C sockets |
Sources: Aerolopa
Terje Grue, the country manager for Emirates for Norway, was buoyed with the introduction of the premium economy of the A350 on the route to Norway:
“We are thrilled to bring the A350 and our Premium Economy product to Norway. This is an important step in strengthening our presence in the market. Travellers from Oslo will now be able to enjoy an entirely new level of comfort, whether flying to Dubai or onwards to our many destinations across Asia, Africa, and Australia.”
How Emirates is redefining mid-tier luxury in its Premium Economy
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Overall Experience |
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| Comfort & Space |
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| Cabin Ambience | The cabin’s sophisticated design features warm tones and signature Emirates mood lighting, including the soft “starlit sky” effect to enhance rest and relaxation during the flight. |
| Dining Experience |
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| Inflight Entertainment |
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All in All
The introduction of the Airbus A350 and Premium Economy service at Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) marks a strategic leap for Emirates in Scandinavia. This launch will set a new benchmark for luxury travel in the region. With Oslo now part of Emirates’ A350 network, Scandinavian travelers can expect a refined journey to destinations across Asia, Africa, and Australia.