There is a good reason why Emirates is consistently voted best airline. Always eager to enhance its in-flight experience, the Dubai-based company is expanding its Premium Economy options, allowing passengers to enjoy luxury, hospitality and comfort. Emirates believes that the joy of travel begins the moment you board.
The world is full of wonders waiting to be explored, and reflecting the luxury of Premium Economy, Emirates offers travellers a network of coveted destinations across five regions: Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East and Asia & the Pacific. Recharging breaks, fast-paced adventures or a touch of opulence are only a flight away.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town is not like South Africa, and South Africa is not like Cape Town – hardly surprising since the Dutch East India Company established it as a supply station in the 17th century for ships sailing east.
RM Block
Exchange the Emirates aircraft for an exhilarating helicopter tour offered by companies such as NAC to enjoy a comprehensive view of the city’s many wonders. Along with the iconic flat-topped Table Mountain, you’ll see Robben Island, the former leper colony that later served as the prison for Nelson Mandela during the struggle against Apartheid, and the cosmopolitan V&A Waterfront, renowned for its nightlife and diverse culinary scene.
Other notable landmarks across the city include the sports stadium; there, join thousands of rugby supporters and watch players from the country’s World Cup-winning rugby team display their skill and strength.
A must for every itinerary is a visit to Stellenbosch’s Spier Wine Farm to understand why South Africa enjoys a worldwide reputation for its wine. And when you venture to Boulder Beach, you might think the Chardonnay is playing tricks on you, but, no, there really are penguins in South Africa – adorable ones at that! And if they inspire you to explore the coastline, sign up for surfing and paddle-boarding experiences in nearby False Bay.
While Cape Town will not just meet your expectations, but exceed them, Emirates also fly to Johannesburg and Durban, with much to discover there too.
SRI LANKA
The perfect contrast to a relaxing, long-haul flight with Emirates is an adrenaline-filled adventure in the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka. While sharing roads with elephants, tuk-tuks and buses, you’ll explore a country that defies categorisation.
Scale the Sigiriya Rock fortress, a Unesco World Heritage Site built by King Kashyapa in the fifth century or enjoy an elephant safari in Habarana. Catch your breath while relaxing on a banana boat in the reservoir near the eco-village of Hiriwadunna.
In Kandy, one of the country’s most beautiful cities, learn traditional dance at a local school, then visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a magnificent Buddhist site.
Befriend the tea-leaf pickers as you trek across the Pekoe Trail – the curated 300km walking route through the central highlands, one of Asia’s best-kept secrets. Or visit the lighthouse in the Dutch-Portuguese-influenced city of Galle before surrendering to the hustle and bustle of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s largest city.
Just as important as crafting a busy itinerary is booking accommodation that allows you to relax and recharge. Consider staying at one of Jetwing’s properties – with the widest selection of hotels and villas across Sri Lanka, this family-run chain offers excellent choices for high-end yet authentic sanctuaries.
Some destinations will stay in your heart and mind forever; Sri Lanka is guaranteed to be one of them.
THE MALDIVES
It has often been said that good things come in small packages, and this is certainly true of the Maldives – Asia’s smallest country. This idyllic destination offers a unique blend of tranquility and adventure. It has become popular not only among honeymooners eager to relax on the beaches, but also with outdoor enthusiasts who dive into the underwater world of the Indian Ocean, with its coral reefs and colourful fish.
Finding a more breathtaking sailing destination than the Maldives is difficult. When visitors aren’t exploring the crystal-clear waters and sandy lagoons by catamaran, they are taking inspiration from Roger Moore, who sped across these waters on a jet ski as James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me. It is also a haven for kayakers, paddleboarders and windsurfers.
Slow down the pace with sunset yoga or meditation, or enjoy a massage or facial by the ocean. In the villages, visitors can immerse themselves in the daily lives and cultures of local people.
Understandably, luxury accommodation is not in short supply here. One of the leading lights is Finolhu – a luxury island resort with more than 125 beachfront and overwater villas in the country’s Baa Atoll.
Finolhu – meaning “sandbank” in Dhivehi – deserves its international reputation for its gastronomy, wellness facilities and family-friendly service. Surrounded by a Unesco biosphere reserve, the Finolhu is a luxury barefoot-chic resort. The only downside is that you’ll never want to leave.
VIETNAM
Although it has faced many challenges over the years, Vietnam is rapidly becoming one of Asia’s most popular destinations for international travellers, many of whom consider it their favourite spot, thanks to its beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas and bustling cities.
With influences from southeast Asia, China, and France, the capital, Hanoi, showcases centuries-old architecture, including the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long, the Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the resting place of the Vietnamese revolutionary leader. Simultaneously noisy, chaotic and beautiful, Hanoi is generally inexpensive, but the experiences on offer are priceless, thanks in part to the friendly people. Bring an empty suitcase to stock up on local clothes, crafts and products.
Indulge in some decadence and sip a flute of Champagne while sailing across the emerald waters of Hạ Long Bay, admiring thousands of limestone islands topped with rainforests. Alternatively, explore the Sapa Valley mountains where terraced rice paddies are carved into the mountainsides, or participate in hands-on cooking classes with locals in the villages.
A highlight of any stay in Vietnam is undoubtedly a visit to the Unesco World Heritage Site of Hội An, an exceptionally well-preserved trading port that was active from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The town features a complex of over a thousand timber-framed buildings. Embrace your romantic side and take a boat ride along its canals, illuminated by candles and lanterns. An Bang Beach nearby offers a reprieve from the sightseeing. Emirates fly to Hanoi, Ho Chi Ming City and Da Nang.
MAURITIUS
While Mauritius’s most famous bird, the flightless dodo, became extinct in 1681, the island is teeming with life today. At every turn, there’s something extraordinary to admire, not just pristine beaches, blue-green lagoons and tropical forests. Take Le Morne Brabant mountain, the Unesco World Heritage site named after the Dutch ship that ran aground there. Or the seven-million-year-old, multi-coloured Chamarel geopark — partly formed by volcanic activity.
Capital Port Louis is a whirlwind of smells and sounds, tastes and flavours – a stark contrast to the quiet elegance of 19th-century colonial Château de Labourdonnais, one of the island’s most popular attractions, and located on a sugar plantation.
Mauritius comprises various communities from three continents — Asia, Africa and Europe — and this diversity is clearly evident at the five-star, deluxe Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa. Recently, the family-owned business completed extensive renovations and skillfully blends intimacy, luxury, and nature. In 2026, they will unveil an exclusive collection of residences, including villas, apartments and penthouses.
Along one of the boulevards, a series of trees features plaques with the names of former guests, including Oscar-winners Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway, who stayed here while filming in the country in 2017.
The resort aims to preserve the island’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, as reflected in its culinary offerings. Mauritius is an island where multiple languages and dialects are spoken. All nationalities and religions are recognised at the Maradiva, and during various festivals, they invite guests to join in the celebrations.
On-site, there is also a boutique with high-end fashion brands and a wine and cigar cellar with Mauritius’ most extensive cigar collection. Guests who view their bodies as temples can opt for the resort’s healthier and more holistic offerings instead.
Premium Economy cabins exemplify sophistication while providing passengers with additional space and comfort. Expect wider, cream leather seats, adjustable headrests and raised cushioned leg rests. Emirates is meeting the demand for luxury travel that meets affordability by expanding its award-winning Premium Economy offering.
