Emirates Premium Economy wins Thailand’s 2026 Product of the Year Award
Dubai airline expands connectivity while introducing new cabin innovations
DUBAI/BANGKOK – Emirates has strengthened its position in Thailand’s aviation market after its Premium Economy product won the Travel & Leisure (Aviation) category at the Product of the Year Awards 2026.
The award was presented in Bangkok at a ceremony organised by Business+ Magazine in collaboration with the College of Management, Mahidol University. Held under the theme “The Next Generation Mainstream”, the awards recognise products and services demonstrating market performance and consumer recognition.
Introduced on Emirates flights to Bangkok in 2025, Premium Economy has given travellers in Thailand access to a cabin designed around additional space, comfort and enhanced amenities.
Premium comfort
The Emirates Premium Economy cabin features spacious seats, generous legroom, refined dining and access to the airline’s ice entertainment system.
The product has also collected international recognition since its global rollout. Emirates Premium Economy was named “Best Premium Economy Class” at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards in both 2024 and 2025. It also received the “Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class” title at the 2025 ULTRAs Awards.
The latest Thai award incorporates consumer feedback into its selection process. Finalists are shortlisted based on market performance and consumer recognition, before winners are determined through a combined assessment by professionals from the College of Management, Mahidol University, and consumer survey results.
Thailand expansion
Mohammed Alwahedi, Emirates’ Country Manager for Thailand, said the airline was honoured to receive the award, describing it as recognition of its commitment to providing distinctive products and services for travellers in the country.
He highlighted Thailand’s importance to Emirates’ Southeast Asian network, pointing to investments including the Emirates World Store in Bangkok, a third daily flight to Phuket, and cabin improvements such as the U-Dream headrest in Economy Class.
Emirates has also expanded regional connectivity from Bangkok. Last year, the airline added Fifth Freedom services linking Bangkok with Siem Reap in Cambodia and Da Nang in Vietnam, providing passengers with additional options for regional travel.
Cabin innovations
Emirates has continued to introduce new features across its cabins. The U-Dream headrest, introduced in Economy Class this summer, uses an ergonomically engineered, multi-directional adjustable design intended to improve neck and head support during long-haul journeys.
The airline has also introduced electrically powered Premium Economy seats featuring full-height, adjustable privacy screens between every seat. The design gives passengers greater control over their personal space while travelling.