Emirates Expands Retrofitted Boeing 777 Services To Eight New Cities

Under its ambitious refurbishment program, Emirates is advancing the deployment of its enhanced Boeing 777 aircraft across its global network. By September 2025, the airline plans to extend its revamped services to 44 cities.

This initiative, marking one of aviation's most extensive retrofit efforts, involves a staggering $5 billion investment aimed at elevating the passenger experience. The project sees one aircraft every three weeks being meticulously upgraded, both inside and out, before rejoining the fleet to serve its designated routes.

The Boeing 777s will now feature a four-class configuration. This includes the introduction of Emirates' signature Premium Economy class and a newly designed Business Class. The Business Class boasts a 1-2-1 seating arrangement, ensuring direct aisle access, privacy, and ample space for passengers to work, relax, or sleep. The retrofit also includes 24 Premium Economy seats, recognized for their comfort and extra legroom, and 260 Economy Class seats, providing a refreshed and comfortable travel experience.

The refreshed Boeing 777 aircraft will commence services to a variety of destinations. Starting 1 June 2025, Lisbon flights (EK 191/192 and EK 193/194) will feature the upgraded cabins. Dublin will enjoy the modernized Business and Premium Economy classes from 25 June on flights EK 161/162. Furthermore, from 15 July, Hong Kong will join the ranks of cities served by the retrofitted aircraft on flights EK 382/383, marking it the second Chinese destination to receive this upgrade.

The Maldives, Kolkata, and Colombo are also on the list to experience the upgraded cabins. For the Maldives, this begins on 1 June for flights EK 658/659 and extends on 15 July for EK 656/657 and EK 660/661. Kolkata will see the refreshed interiors from 10 August on EK 572/573, while Colombo will welcome the upgraded Boeing 777 from the same date on its daily EK 650/651 flights.

In addition, South Africa's Johannesburg and Cape Town will be introduced to Premium Economy and refreshed Business Class cabins, highlighting the strategic importance of the African market to Emirates. Johannesburg's daily EK 765/766 and EK 761/762 services will feature the new cabins from 1 and 25 September, respectively.

Cape Town will follow with upgraded services on its daily EK 770/771 from 20 September. London Stansted will also see an increase in services with the enhanced Boeing 777 interiors, starting with a second daily service on EK 067/068 from 1 June.