Dubai’s Emirates said its retrofit programme in enters the next phase, which will include a makeover for 60 A380s and 51 Boeing 777s.
The airline will introduce a host of new onboard products, including Panasonic’s advanced Astrova inflight entertainment system and upgraded Wi-Fi connectivity with Starlink.
Emirates Engineering, working with partners Airbus, Safran, Recaro, Panasonic, Starlink, and UUDS, will introduce the latest seating designs and a new onboard lounge on the A380s.
Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, commented: “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.”
Emirates expands major retrofit programme
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.
To date, 76 aircraft have undergone refurbishment, with each A380 requiring approximately 22 days and each Boeing 777 taking 18 days to retrofit.
Business Class on both the A380 and Boeing 777 will receive a sophisticated upgrade with Emirates’ latest seating, inspired by the luxurious leather S Lounge seats by Safran that is already part of its 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, redesigned storage and minibar, and multiple charging options, including USB-C and wireless ports.
Premium economy upgraded for comfort
Premium Economy 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 amenities including in-seat charging, a side cocktail table, and a 13.3-inch entertainment screen.
New, lightweight Safran Z400 seats, specifically designed for long-haul operations, will be used in Economy Class. This includes an adjustable eight-way headrest for neck and head support.
The airline has selected Panasonic Avionics to upgrade its in-flight entertainment products on the A380 and Boeing 777s. Customers will enjoy enhanced visual clarity on 4K OLED HDR10+ displays that rival premium home cinema systems. Spatial Audio immerses customers in multi-dimensional sound, whether using Emirates’ premium headsets or their own wireless devices via Bluetooth.
Powerful 67W USB-C charging at every seat will ensure all devices stay charged throughout the journey.
The platform also integrates Panasonic’s Arc 3D 4K Moving Map, delivering an immersive flight-tracking experience. Integrated with Emirates’ Skywards programme, the platform’s intelligent recommendation engine learns individual preferences to suggest personalised content throughout the flight.
Emirates also announced it 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.
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