Emirates is set to introduce its newly retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft on two major routes starting October 1. After making its debut flight to Geneva, the first of the airline’s refreshed aircraft will now serve Zurich and Riyadh.
This marks the first time Emirates will offer its Premium Economy class in the Middle East, with the upgraded aircraft set to elevate the passenger experience on these routes.
Key Dates and Destinations:
- October 1: Emirates will operate its new Boeing 777 to Zurich and Riyadh.
- October 9: A second retrofitted Boeing 777 will begin flights to Brussels six times per week.
- September 22: Geneva will become the first destination in the Emirates’ network to offer Premium Economy and refurbished Business Class cabins on all flights.
Aircraft Revamp Details:
The refurbishment of the Boeing 777 included a comprehensive nose-to-tail cabin upgrade. The aircraft was reconfigured in 37 days, involving 18,000 man-hours of round-the-clock work. The new design features:
- Premium Economy: 24 seats in a 2-4-2 layout, with cream leather, wood paneling, and 8-inch recline for comfort.
- Business Class: 38 seats in a 1-2-1 layout, with padded headrests, personal mini-bars, dining tables, charging outlets, and a small bar area.
- Economy Class: 256 soft grey and blue seats, ergonomic design, and fully adjustable leather headrests.
Expansion Plans:
Following the Geneva, Zurich, Riyadh, and Brussels routes, Emirates will continue to roll out the refurbished Boeing 777 on flights to Tokyo, Haneda, and Brussels, with more destinations to be announced soon.
The airline’s extensive retrofit program, valued at over Dhs11 billion, aims to upgrade 191 Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft, making it the largest retrofit initiative in the aviation industry.
Materials Used in Refurbishment:
- 330 square meters of carpets
- 340 laminate sheets
- 8,000 square feet of leather for First, Business, and Premium Economy seats
- 800 meters of fabric for Economy seats
- 300 liters of paint
Current Routes with Refurbished Aircraft:
Emirates’ newly refurbished aircraft are already flying to destinations including New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Sydney, Auckland, Christchurch, Melbourne, London Heathrow, Singapore, Mumbai, Bangalore, São Paulo, Tokyo Narita, Osaka, Geneva, and Dubai.
This extensive upgrade underscores Emirates’ commitment to enhancing the in-flight experience, ensuring passengers enjoy the highest levels of comfort and luxury across its global network.
