Emirates vs. Air India: Which is the Best Airline to Book Flights to Hyderabad

In 2024, the battle for premium economy travelers on US-India routes is set to intensify. Emirates, known for its luxurious in-flight service, is launching premium economy flights to India in October, directly challenging Air India's established offering. Air India, however, isn't backing down, with a fleet expansion featuring modern aircraft to enhance their premium economy service. This head-to-head competition is expected to benefit travelers with potentially lower fares and improved amenities. 

Air India VS Emirates: Which is the Best Airline to Book Cheap Flights to Hyderabad

Air India Premium Economy VS Emirates Premium Economy

Key takeaways from the comparison:

• Emirates currently offers a more spacious premium economy experience with wider seats (19.5" vs. 19"), more legroom (40" vs. 38"), and a more significant seat recline (8" vs. 5").

• Emirates also boasts a 6-level adjustable headrest for enhanced comfort, while Air India's headrest is standard.

• In terms of aesthetics, Emirates takes the edge with its creamy leather seats and golden hues. Air India's current blue upholstery might change in 2024 as they retrofit more aircraft with premium economy cabins.

Overall, Emirates currently provides a more premium economy experience based on seat size, recline, and aesthetics. However, Air India's potential upgrades in 2024 could alter this dynamic.

Air India Business Class VS Emirates Business Class

Feature	Emirates Business Class	Air India Business Class
Fleet	Modern, wide-body aircraft (A380, B777)	Mix of wide-body (B787, B777) and older aircraft
Seat Configuration	Lie-flat seats, and direct aisle access on most aircraft	Lie-flat seats, some older planes with angled flat seats
Seat Pitch & Width	60-78 inches pitch, 18.5-20.5 inches wide	62-74 inches pitch, 19-22 inches wide
In-flight Entertainment	ICE system with over 4,500 channels	A limited selection of movies, TV shows, and music
Wi-Fi	Available on most flights, free 20MB, paid packages	Limited availability, varies by aircraft
Dining	Multi-course gourmet meals, regional options	Multi-course meals, Indian and international cuisine
Beverages	Wide selection of wines, spirits, and cocktails	Selection of wines, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks
Amenities	Amenity kits, noise-canceling headphones, pajamas	Amenity kits, basic toiletries
Lounge Access	Extensive network of dedicated lounges worldwide	Limited lounge access, varies by location
Chauffeur Service	Complimentary in over 75 cities	Available in select cities
On-ground Experience	Dedicated check-in counters, expedited security	Dedicated check-in, priority boarding

Air India First Class VS Emirates First Class

Feature	Emirates First Class	Air India First Class
Fleet	Modern, wide-body aircraft (A380, B777)	Limited to certain routes on B777 aircraft
Seat Configuration	Fully enclosed suites, lie-flat beds	Semi-private suites, lie-flat beds
Seat Pitch & Width	78-86 inches pitch, 23 inches wide	82 inches pitch, 21 inches wide
Privacy	Full-height privacy doors (A380), high walls (B777)	Sliding doors for privacy
In-flight Entertainment	ICE system with over 4,500 channels	A limited selection of movies, TV shows, and music
Wi-Fi	Available on most flights, free 20MB, paid packages	Limited availability, varies by aircraft
Dining	Multi-course gourmet meals, dine-on-demand	Multi-course meals, Indian and international cuisine
Beverages	Premium selection of wines, spirits, and cocktails	Selection of wines, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks
Shower Spa	Available on A380	Not available
Amenities	Bvlgari amenity kits, pajamas, noise-canceling headphones	Amenity kits, basic toiletries
Onboard Lounge	Available on A380	Not available
Lounge Access	First Class Lounge, A380 dedicated lounge at DXB	Maharaja Lounge at select airports
Chauffeur Service	Complimentary in over 75 cities	Limited availability, varies by city
Baggage Allowance	50kg (2 pieces)	50kg (2 pieces)
On-ground Experience	Dedicated check-in counters, expedited security, personal escort to aircraft	Dedicated check-in, priority boarding

Air India Economy Class VS Emirates Economy Class

Feature	Emirates Economy Class	Air India Economy Class
Fleet	Modern, wide-body aircraft (A380, B777, B787, A350)	Mix of wide-body (B787, B777) and narrow-body aircraft
Seat Pitch & Width	31-34 inches pitch, 17-18 inches wide	31-34 inches pitch, 17-18 inches wide
Seat Configuration	3-4-3 on B777, 3-3-3 on B787, 3-4-3 on A380	3-3-3 on B787, 3-4-3 on B777
In-flight Entertainment	ICE system with over 4,500 channels	A limited selection of movies, TV shows, and music
Wi-Fi	Available on most flights, paid packages	Limited availability, varies by aircraft
Dining	Multi-course meals with regional options	Multi-course meals with Indian and international cuisine
Beverages	Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks	Complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, limited alcohol
Amenities	Blankets, pillows, amenity kits on long-haul flights	Blankets, pillows, limited amenity kits
Seat Comfort	Adjustable headrests, some aircraft with footrests	Adjustable headrests, some older seats
On-ground Experience	Dedicated check-in counters, family check-in	Standard check-in counters, priority for special needs
Customer Service	Generally high-rated service, multilingual staff	Mixed reviews, service quality varies
Overall Experience	Consistently high-rated, extensive in-flight entertainment, and modern aircraft	Decent service, improving but less consistent

For those planning a trip to Hyderabad, exploring options on both airlines can ensure the best experience and value for money. Travelopod, being one of the best websites to book cheap flights to Hyderabad can help you get the best deal for both airlines. Ultimately, the choice between Emirates and Air India will depend on individual preferences, with each airline providing a unique set of benefits to its passengers.