Emirates is currently in the process of retrofitting 191 of its existing aircraft. While this is primarily being done in order to introduce premium economy on these jets, there are changes coming to other cabins as well. I wanted to go over the details, especially as Emirates is this week starting the process of reconfiguring its first Boeing 777, and those are the planes most in need of a refresh.
In this post:
How Emirates will retrofit 191 planes with new cabins
Emirates has plans to retrofit a total of 191 aircraft with new interiors. This includes a total of 110 Airbus A380s and a total of 81 Boeing 777s. As Emirates views it, this will allow the airline to keep flying these planes well into the mid-2030s (which is roughly when Emirates plans to retire its A380s).
Emirates’ fleet currently consists of around 250 jets, so that means that over 75% of the Dubai-based carrier’s fleet will be getting new interiors, which is quite impressive. Emirates started this retrofit project on the Airbus A380 in 2023, and is now starting this project on the Boeing 777 as of July 2024.
When all is said and done, Emirates will have installed 1,894 refreshed first class seats, 11,182 upgraded business class seats, 8,104 next generation premium economy seats, and 21,814 economy seats. In addition to that, carpets and stairs will be upgraded, and cabin interior panels will be refreshed with new tones and design motifs, including the ghaf trees that are native to the UAE.
Here’s how Emirates President Tim Clark describes these plans:
“We’re topping up our multi-billion dollar investment in the retrofit programme to introduce cutting-edge cabin products on more of our A380s and Boeing 777s, demonstrating a clear commitment to elevating the customer experience with a best-in-class suite of products across every cabin. The addition of more aircraft fitted with our newest generation seats, updated cabin finishings and a contemporary colour palette also marks a significant step in ensuring more customers can consistently experience our premium products across both aircraft types.”
Emirates Airbus A380 retrofit plans
Emirates is reconfiguring 110 Airbus A380s with new interiors. Emirates has already retrofitted 28 aircraft since starting this project, meaning that 82 more A380s will be getting a refresh. This project takes around 16 days per aircraft, and we don’t have a timeline for when this will be complete.
Emirates’ reconfigured Airbus A380s feature 56 premium economy seats, in a 2-4-2 configuration. These seats are at the very front of the lower deck, replacing economy seats.
These Emirates A380s feature many of the same cabin finishes that you’ll find on Emirates’ six newest A380s that were delivered, which already boast premium economy. These planes have the new design motif, which is a bit less “in your face” than the old Las Vegas in the 1990s decor that Emirates is known for.
Emirates Boeing 777 retrofit plans
As of July 2024, Emirates is starting to reconfigure 81 Boeing 777s with new interiors. This will take around two weeks per aircraft, and it remains to be seen when this work will be complete.
Emirates’ reconfigured Boeing 777-300ERs are expected to feature 326 seats, comprised of:
- Eight first class seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration
- 38 business class seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration
- 24 premium economy seats, in a 2-4-2 configuration
- 256 economy seats, in a 3-4-3 configuration
As a point of comparison, currently Emirates’ 777-300ERs have 354 seats, so this represents a capacity reduction of 28 seats. Essentially we’re seeing 48 economy seats removed, four business class seats removed (in order to accommodate all-new cabins), and 24 premium economy seats added.
A new 777 business class is the most exciting development
While Emirates is of course known for being a great airline, there’s one major gap in the premium passenger experience. Specifically, the Boeing 777 is the backbone of Emirates’ fleet, yet most 777s have angled business class seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. That’s woefully uncompetitive.
The good news is that Emirates finally plans to introduce a new fully flat seat with direct aisle access on 777s, which is long overdue:
- We know that the new seat is being designed in partnership with Safran
- We know that Emirates plans to streamline seats across its fleet, and it’s expected that similar business class seats will also be installed on newly delivered Airbus A350s and Boeing 777Xs
- The new business class will be in a staggered configuration, so my speculation is that the most likely option is that Emirates has selected the Safran Unity seat, though we should find out for sure pretty soon
What I find most disappointing is that Emirates doesn’t have plans to install its new 777 first class on more planes, as this is currently only available on nine 777s. It’s sad to think the airline is retrofitting 777s with plans of keeping them around for a decade, but doesn’t plan to introduce a first class product that was first rolled out in 2017.
I’ve gotta say, Emirates is giving Lufthansa a run for its money on this product rollout. Just nine planes having this product after seven years feels more like a gimmick than a good faith product rollout.
Bottom line
Emirates has plans to reconfigure 191 existing jets with new cabins, including 110 Airbus A380s and 81 Boeing 777s. The A380 retrofit project has been underway for well over a year, while the 777 retrofit project is now getting started, as of July 2024.
This represents over 75% of Emirates’ fleet, so we’re seeing quite some updates. The most significant developments here are that all aircraft are getting premium economy, and on top of that, 777s are getting a new business class. It’s just too bad Emirates isn’t introducing its new first class on 777s.
What do you make of Emirates’ fleet retrofit plans?
I love it that they can refurbish an aircraft in 16 days. BA have a small fleet nowadays in comparison to other airlines and their refit is taking forever with zero plans to refit any Gatwick based aircraft.
I'm taking the A380 to Dubai and then Sydney this Winter. Can't wait.
Let's see how fast EK actually succeeds at retrofitting this many aircraft. This is the equivalent of a large global airline's new fleet of aircraft worth of seats and cabins. That is a lot of capacity for a relatively small number of cabin and seat manufacturers on top of all of the new orders for widebodies.
Let's remember that Polaris was a 7 year retrofit project and other airlines are also refurbing other aircraft because...
Let's see how fast EK actually succeeds at retrofitting this many aircraft. This is the equivalent of a large global airline's new fleet of aircraft worth of seats and cabins. That is a lot of capacity for a relatively small number of cabin and seat manufacturers on top of all of the new orders for widebodies.
Let's remember that Polaris was a 7 year retrofit project and other airlines are also refurbing other aircraft because of delivery delays.
EK may or may not succeed at completing the task across its fleet much before many of these 777Ws and 380s are retired.
This is Emirates not Delta. You know, a real airline that tends to actually do things instead bragging about an overcrowded poorly serviced lounge.
And we are talking about aircraft refurbishing. Delta has done its on a fleet by fleet basis and it still takes time.
United, who you are clearly trying to defend, took 7 years to roll out Polaris. It takes a very long time to refurbish 190 widebodies.
And let's also be clear that you are really just jealous that Delta could open a massive lounge, restrict access JUST to Delta One customers and their...
And we are talking about aircraft refurbishing. Delta has done its on a fleet by fleet basis and it still takes time.
United, who you are clearly trying to defend, took 7 years to roll out Polaris. It takes a very long time to refurbish 190 widebodies.
And let's also be clear that you are really just jealous that Delta could open a massive lounge, restrict access JUST to Delta One customers and their highest value customers, and still have a full house right off the bat.
This article is about Emirates and massive fleet refurbishing but if DL half succeeds at its newfound focus on international high value customers as it has done in the domestic market, AA and UA are in trouble.
My God you're stupid. I'm not defending United I'm talking about one of the finest airlines in the world. You wouldn't know- you've never flown them. Otherwise you wouldn't keep talking sh*t about Delta.
Delta couldn't even begin to match the quality of an Emirates lounge much the airline in toto.
Emirates is no more capable of coming up with 300 shipsets of aircraft interiors than any other airline. EK also has a large number of new A350s and 777Xs on order.
The capacity in the industry DOES NOT EXIST for ANY airline to get that much capacity. and no supplier is going to turn down orders esp. given that Safran is part owned by Airbus which wants to sell new aircraft and not just retrofit...
Emirates is no more capable of coming up with 300 shipsets of aircraft interiors than any other airline. EK also has a large number of new A350s and 777Xs on order.
The capacity in the industry DOES NOT EXIST for ANY airline to get that much capacity. and no supplier is going to turn down orders esp. given that Safran is part owned by Airbus which wants to sell new aircraft and not just retrofit used aircraft.
For someone that is so happy to call other people stupid, you are just downright ignorant of how aviation works.
There is a good reason why Emirates didn't say how long it will take to retrofit all of these aircraft and why Ben specifically noted there is no known date.
This refurbishing project will take AT LEAST five years.
This is excellent news, I've got a SIN-DUB-MXP J return booked in December. Hopefully I'll get refreshed cabins for at least some of the legs.
I don't think Emirates should worry much about F. I recently flew LHR - AUH in F on EY and while the service was very good, EK is still better on the food and drinks front. Plus I am not a fan of a reverse facing seat, that too one that requires a flight attendant to convert into a bed rather than something a passenger can control at will.
On the other hand, I...
I don't think Emirates should worry much about F. I recently flew LHR - AUH in F on EY and while the service was very good, EK is still better on the food and drinks front. Plus I am not a fan of a reverse facing seat, that too one that requires a flight attendant to convert into a bed rather than something a passenger can control at will.
On the other hand, I also flew the 16 years old A6-EBQ just a few days ago in J and that definitely requires significant refurbishment. A grainy 4:3 aspect video screen is simply not part of any premium product for many years now, apart from the 2-3-2 seating. Fortunately, J was 80% empty and I had no neighbours.
Not adding the new 777 F is disappointing....
But glad to see the commitment to the A380s. 110 is the vast majority of their fleet (Planespotters.net shows 123 registered), which is a strong vote of confidence as they 'put their money where their mouth is' and retrofit the aircraft. To be frank, the A380s are Emirates' main selling point, with much of their product (think EK 777 J vs QSuites) lagging the rest of the...
Not adding the new 777 F is disappointing....
But glad to see the commitment to the A380s. 110 is the vast majority of their fleet (Planespotters.net shows 123 registered), which is a strong vote of confidence as they 'put their money where their mouth is' and retrofit the aircraft. To be frank, the A380s are Emirates' main selling point, with much of their product (think EK 777 J vs QSuites) lagging the rest of the ME3 otherwise. Even transiting DXB can be chaotic. A380s are what makes people choose Emirates and them maintaining the A380s is great to see
…and the “new” first class will be what, 10 years old by the time EK takes delivery of its first 777-8/9?