Emirates has announced the expansion of its multi-billion dollar aircraft refurbishment program. This expansion will add 43 Airbus A380s and 28 Boeing 777s to the program. This will bring the total number of fleet aircraft undergoing a complete interior refresh to 191.
Previously, the program had aimed to refurbish 120 aircraft, including 67 Airbus A380s and 53 Boeing 777s.
The latest expansion will now see a greater number of passengers experiencing Emirates’ best-in-class cabins across both the iconic widebody aircraft types.
“We’re topping up our investment in the program to introduce cutting-edge cabins on more A380s and 777s,” said Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline.
“This demonstrates our commitment to elevating the customer experience with a suite of premium products in every cabin class.”
Expanded Interior Upgrade program
The expansion signifies a substantial step forward in ensuring more passengers can experience the airline’s latest premium offerings.
This includes next-generation seating, updated cabin finishes, and a contemporary color palette across all classes.
Emirates has already completed the refurbishment of 22 A380s. In July 2024, the program welcomes its first Boeing 777 for a two-week interior refresh.
The revamped 777s will boast a four-class configuration with 332 seats, including:
- Eight luxurious First Class suites.
- 40 Business Class seats in a modern 1-2-1 configuration, offering increased privacy and comfort.
- A dedicated Premium Economy section with 24 of the latest seats, providing an attractive middle ground between Economy and Business Class.
Making Room for Premium
The addition of Premium Economy comes at the cost of 50 Economy Class seats on the 777. However, the overall passenger experience is set to be significantly enhanced with the introduction of this popular cabin class.
Emirates’ dedicated Engineering Centre spearheads the entire refurbishment project. Over 250 personnel work together with 31 major partners and suppliers to deliver the refreshed cabins.
Workshops have now been established both within the facility and offsite to expedite the process.
A Fleet-Wide Transformation
Upon completion of the program, Emirates will have transformed its fleet with a total of:
- 8,104 next-generation Premium Economy seats
- 1,894 refreshed First Class suites
- 11,182 upgraded Business Class seats
- 21,814 Economy Class seats
Premium Goes Global
Emirates currently offers its refurbished A380s with Premium Economy on flights to major destinations such as New York JFK, Los Angeles, and London Heathrow.
This network will continue to expand, with Osaka slated to join the list in June 2024.
By February 2025, Emirates expects to serve a total of 42 cities with Premium Economy. The arrival of the new Airbus A350 in September 2024 will further accelerate the expansion of Emirates’ Premium Economy network. The new aircraft will then take flight on short and medium-haul routes to the first announced destinations.
This will be complemented by the introduction of the newly refurbished Boeing 777s with Premium Economy to additional routes later this summer.
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