If you’re the kind of traveler who books flights based on seat selection alone, Emirates Airlines has just done you a massive favor. The Dubai-based carrier retired the dreaded 2-3-2 Business Class layout on its Boeing 777-300ERs. That means the middle seat in Business Class is no more.
Now, Emirates is rolling out a 1-2-1 configuration across its 777 fleet. This seating chart ensures every Business Class passenger direct aisle access. No more awkwardly stepping over your seatmate in the middle of the night or worse—being the guy in the middle seat on a $5,000 ticket!
Within the new design, you’ll find four distinct seating options:
- True window seats: Maximum privacy, perfect for solo travelers.
- Aisle-adjacent window seats: A balance of privacy and convenience.
- Couple middle seats: Ideal if you’re traveling with a partner.
- Separated middle seats: Designed for solo flyers who don’t want to sit by a window.
So far, 25 of the airline’s 120 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft have been upgraded, with more coming online through 2025. The update finally puts Emirates back in the game with rivals like Qatar Airways’ Qsuite and Finnair’s no-middle-seat AirLounge.
What else is new in Emirates’ Business Class
The refreshed airplane cabins, which seat 40 passengers, also include:
- 78-inch lie-flat beds
- 23-inch HD screens for Emirates’ award-winning ICE entertainment system
- Updated finishes with cream leather, dark wood accents, and modern trim
Other airlines that have ditched the middle seat
- Qatar Airways
- Finnair
- Singapore Airlines
- Delta One Suites
- United Polaris
