Emirates is taking its award-winning Premium Economy experience to a new level with the introduction of the world’s first electrically powered Premium Economy seat equipped with a full-height adjustable privacy screen.
The new seats will debut aboard Emirates’ newly delivered Airbus A350 aircraft, offering passengers greater control over their personal space while combining enhanced privacy with increased comfort.
The new Premium Economy cabin features a spacious 2-3-2 seating arrangement with 28 seats. The full-height electric privacy divider, positioned between each seat, is designed to provide passengers with a more private environment for relaxing, dining or working during the flight.
The Premium Economy seats are 20 inches wide, while the A350 offers a seat pitch of up to 39 inches. The seats can also recline into a cradle position without encroaching on the space of passengers seated behind, allowing travellers to rest more comfortably during longer journeys.
Greater Privacy at the Touch of a Button
Passengers can easily raise or lower the privacy divider using the integrated seat controls and secure it at their preferred position. The feature allows travellers to create a more personal space throughout different stages of the flight.
The new seat is also Emirates’ first fully electrically powered Premium Economy seat. Passengers can adjust their seating position at the touch of a button through the integrated Passenger Control Unit, which includes dedicated settings such as lounge mode and meal mode.
Enhanced Comfort for Longer Journeys
Emirates has also introduced its acclaimed U-Dream headrest by Safran Seats to further improve passenger comfort. Made from leather, the redesigned headrest provides additional support for the head and neck, while its adjustable wings can be positioned to suit individual preferences.
A manually deployable leather footrest provides another layer of comfort, helping passengers relax and reduce leg fatigue during the flight.
Celeste and HVA Ceylon Partner to Expand Celeste into the United States
Sri Lankan entrepreneurs Janik Jayasuriya, Founder and CEO of Celeste, and Johann Harsha Fernando, Founder and CEO of HVA Ceylon, have joined forces to establish, operate and expand the Celeste brand in the United States.
The new partnership marks an important step in Celeste’s international expansion and brings together the expertise of two Sri Lankan entrepreneurs who have built businesses in both local and international markets.
The partnership was formally established during Jayasuriya’s recent visit to the United States. However, the relationship between the two founders began through the Chamber of Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE). Their discussions gained further momentum during a COYLE business delegation to South Korea, where the two entrepreneurs developed a shared vision of introducing Celeste to the US market.
Established in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Celeste has evolved from a Sri Lankan startup into a leading 24/7 on-demand online supermarket. The company currently serves more than 200,000 customers and has completed over three million orders.
Celeste’s ability to adapt during the pandemic also attracted international attention, with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, highlighting the company’s entrepreneurial response and resilience during the crisis. The company has also received recognition at the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards, while Jayasuriya was honoured with two Asia Marketing Excellence Awards from the Asia Marketing Federation in 2025.
Meanwhile, Fernando has developed HVA Ceylon into a growing business in the United States, gaining experience in one of the world’s most competitive markets. His work has helped establish the company’s US market presence, infrastructure and distribution capabilities.
Under Fernando’s leadership, HVA Ceylon was included in the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States for three consecutive years, in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Emirates Unveils World’s First Electric Premium Economy Seat with Full-Height Privacy Screen
