Emirates plans cheaper, premium economy class

Emirates may offer premium-economy seats in a reversal of its resistance to a class combining a touch of luxury with reasonable fares, as declining oil revenues prompt Middle Eastern customers to tighten travel budgets. Introducing a cabin pitched between coach and business would improve fare flexibility as falling crude prices prompt a "paradigm change" in travel habits among wealthier passengers and companies exposed to the Persian Gulf that took hold elsewhere after the recession, Emirates president Tim Clark said. Emirates has previously avoided the industry's rush to economy-plus products for fear of cannibalising sales of more lucrative seats. With oil reaching a 12-year low in February, the airline is now finding it tougher to fill the world's biggest fleet of wide-body jets. <br/>