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Emirates has found a way to fit 98 extra seats into its new Airbus A380-800 planes: by doing away with first class.
The Airbus 380 is already the world’s largest passenger plane. But with no first class seats, a smaller business class and an extra 130 seats in economy, Emirates has managed to fit in even more passengers without losing any legroom in cattle class.
The new economy seats have the widest screens in the industry, at 13.3 inches (Emirates)
'Jetmen' fly behind Emirates jumbo jet The two-class plane now has 58 seats with flatscreen TVs that recline into bed in business class, and 557 economy class seats. There is also an onboard lounge.
Airlines have been competing with ways to fit more seats into passenger planes by patenting ever more inventive seating arrangements.
Business class (Emirates) In October, it emerged that Airbus had patented a mezzanine-style arrangement where some passengers were on top of others.
Airline food across the classesShow all 6 1 /6Airline food across the classes Airline food across the classes Virgin Upper Class Clockwise from top right: Salted butter, malted wheat and oat roll, glass of Gardet Brut Premiere Cru Champagne Thai beef salad, seared sirloin beef, dressed with a sweet chilli, lime and ginger dressing and crumbed roasted cashews. Created for Virgin by Lorraine Pascale Italian buffalo mozzarella, heritage tomatoes and sweet pepper berries, drizzled with Italian extra virgin olive oil and a balsamic glaze Brioche and butter pudding, served with Madagascan vanilla syrup and double cream
Sam Barnes
Airline food across the classes Virgin Premium Economy Clockwise from right: Chicken, sweet potato and coconut curry, with coriander rice Asian slaw salad of carrots, celeriac, sweet chillies and slaw dressing. As well as Jacob's crackers, Croxton Manor Mature Cheddar, 1/4 bottle of wine Apple & blackberry pudding
Sam Barnes
Airline food across the classes Virgin Economy Clockwise from bottom right: Slow-cooked beef bourguignon, with rosemary, roasted root veg and mustard mash Mediterranean orzo salad, dressed in a sun-blushed tomato and roasted pepper dressing Gü Chocolate Orange. As well as Jacob's crackers, Boursin Garlic & Herbs, 1/4 bottle of wine
Sam Barnes
Airline food across the classes All Nippon Airways first class Clockwise from top right: Miso soup Pickles preserved in vinegar Japanese tea 'Koshihikari' brand rice from Nichinan-cho Hino-gun in Tottori Prefecture Simmered sablefish in soy-based sauce Seasonal salad with wasabi Dressed asparagus and konjac with sweet sesame paste Marinated salmon in piquant-vinegared sauce Japanese tea Clear soup with a steamed prawn cake Zensai, 'a selection of morsels' including Japanese omelette and sake-steamed abalone
Sam Barnes
Airline food across the classes All Nippon Airways business class Clockwise from top right: Assorted pickles Seasonal salad A selection of morsels including dressed bamboo shoot and simmered octopus 'Koshihikari' rice Simmered duck and vegetables Miso soup Deep-fried sea bream with thick ponzu sauce
Sam Barnes
Airline food across the classes All Nippon Airways economy Clockwise from top right: A selection of fresh fruit A selection of traditional appetisers Seafood curry with steamed rice Japanese noodle with spring onions, served with soy-based sauce Miso soup
Sam Barnes
In July, a French manufacturer patented a hexagonal arrangement, where passengers in the middle seats faced the other way.
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