Emirates' retrofit programme enters its next phase, with 60 A380s and 51 Boeing 777s lined up to receive the airline’s latest cabin innovations.
Starting from August
2026, the airline will introduce a host of new onboard products, alongside a
next-generation, fully immersive in-flight entertainment system and upgraded
Wi-Fi connectivity with Starlink on these aircraft as part of its extensive fleet
modernisation efforts.
Emirates Engineering,
working with partners Airbus, Safran, Recaro, Panasonic, Starlink, and UUDS,
will introduce the latest seating designs and a new onboard lounge on 60 A380s,
paired with Panasonic's advanced Astrova inflight entertainment system, to deliver
an elevated and consistent passenger experience on the next 111 aircraft set
for retrofit.
The airline has been
instrumental in driving product innovation with its partners, working in close
partnership with aircraft manufacturers and suppliers to continuously uplift
passenger comfort, privacy, and the overall travel experience.
Commitment to product
excellence means the airline is in regular dialogue with partners on the latest
initiatives in cabin furnishings, inflight entertainment systems, and
cutting-edge cabin technologies, and shows no hesitation in making significant
investments to achieve its long-term objectives.
Sir Tim Clark,
President Emirates Airline said:
“Emirates’ retrofit programme is about continuously elevating standards across
our entire fleet. Working with our long-standing partners, we're taking this
commitment a step further with the aim of delivering product consistency at
scale, in tandem with next-generation innovations in seating, entertainment,
and connectivity being brought into service with our newly delivered fleet. Our
customers expect an excellent experience every time they fly Emirates, and this
investment ensures we deliver on that promise in the years to come, wherever
they travel with us.”
Business Class on both
the A380 and Boeing 777 will receive a sophisticated upgrade with Emirates'
latest generation seating, inspired by the luxurious leather S Lounge seats by
Safran, already featured on the airline's A350 fleet.
Each seat creates a more private space where
thoughtful details elevate the journey, from wireless charging integrated into
the side cocktail table to customisable in-seat lighting.
Customers will be able
to enjoy 4K ice entertainment, thoughtfully designed storage,
minibar amenities, and multiple charging options including USB-C and wireless
ports.
Premium Economy,
Emirates' latest cabin class, will feature Recaro's advanced seating technology
with a mechanical recline system.
Spacious leather seats
will continue to offer generous comfort with integrated leg and footrests,
adjustable headrests, and thoughtful amenities including in-seat charging, a
side cocktail table, and a 13.3-inch entertainment screen, striking the perfect
balance between value and luxury.
Economy Class
customers will benefit from the introduction of new, lightweight Safran Z400
seats, specifically designed for long-haul operations, with every detail
designed for comfort and convenience.
This includes an
adjustable eight-way headrest for unrivalled neck and head support, in addition
to other thoughtful tech touches.
State-of-the-art
entertainment and connectivity
Emirates has selected
Panasonic Avionics to upgrade its IFE products on the A380 and Boeing 777s with
the cutting-edge Astrova inflight entertainment platform, representing the
airline’s commitment to delivering next-generation experiences.
Emirates customers
will enjoy breathtaking visual clarity on 4K OLED HDR10+ displays that rival
premium home cinema systems, with vivid colours, infinite contrast, and perfect
blacks that bring every frame to life.
Spatial Audio immerses
customers in rich, multi-dimensional sound, whether using Emirates' premium
headsets or their own wireless devices via Bluetooth.
Powerful 67W USB-C
charging at every seat ensures all devices stay charged throughout the journey.
The system's modular design enables
independent upgrades to display, power delivery, and connectivity as the
technology evolves.
The platform also
integrates Panasonic's Arc 3D 4K Moving Map, delivering an immersive
flight-tracking experience. Seamlessly integrated with Emirates' Skywards
programme, the platform's intelligent recommendation engine learns individual
preferences to suggest personalised content throughout the flight. Behind the
scenes, real-time engagement insights allow Emirates to continuously refine its
entertainment library, ensuring the selection always reflects what customers
want to watch, hear, and explore.
Emirates is enhancing
the travel experience further with fleet-wide Starlink connectivity, installed
concurrently with the cabin retrofit programme across both A380 and Boeing 777
aircraft.
The coordinated
rollout strategy, integrating connectivity installations within the existing
retrofit schedule, accelerates delivery of the complete Emirates experience
across its global network.
Delivering
experience consistency with every journey
The retrofit programme
builds on Emirates' track record of continuous investment in its products and
services.
First announced in
2021 with 120 aircraft slated for full refurbishment, the airline expanded its
retrofit programme to 191 aircraft in May 2024 before further scaling it to 219
aircraft later that year, a testament to its commitment to deliver exceptional
experiences across its fleet.
To date, 76 aircraft have undergone refurbishment, with each A380 requiring approximately 22 days and each Boeing 777 taking 18 days to retrofit. The programme maintains a steady cadence, with two freshly refurbished aircraft emerging each month ready to elevate the experience on routes worldwide. -TradeArabia News Service
