Emirates to Deploy A380 and B777 With Upgraded Cabins on Eight New Routes and Announces A350 Debut in Australia
Emirates will expand its fleet of upgraded Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft to eight new cities in the coming months. Passengers can experience the enhanced A380s on flights to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Nice, and Perth, while the refurbished B777s will operate on routes to Madrid, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, and Frankfurt.
The airline, which already operates modernized aircraft across more than 70 destinations, aims to deliver a seamless and premium experience for both Dubai-bound travelers and transit passengers. The retrofit program is progressing at a record pace, with Emirates completing the refurbishment of one wide-body aircraft every three weeks at its Engineering Center.
A350 Arrives in Australia
Starting December 1, 2025, Emirates will deploy its first long-range Airbus A350 on flights to Adelaide, marking a new era for its Australian network. The A350-900ULR, capable of flying over 15 hours nonstop with a range exceeding 14,000 kilometers, will feature 32 Business Class seats, 28 Premium Economy seats, and 238 Economy Class seats.
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Schedule for Upgraded Aircraft Deployment
Refurbished Airbus A380s:
- Bangkok: Flight EK372/373 will operate with the upgraded A380 starting July 1, 2025.
- Hong Kong: Flight EK380/381 will introduce the four-class A380 on October 1, 2025.
- Nice: Flight EK077/078 will debut with Premium Economy cabins on October 15, 2025.
- Perth: Flight EK420/421 will feature the new A380 from October 26, 2025.
Enhanced Boeing 777s:
- Madrid: Flight EK143/144 will begin operating with refurbished interiors on October 15, 2025.
- Kuala Lumpur: Flight EK346/347 will offer the updated 777 starting October 15, 2025.
- Frankfurt: Flight EK043/044 will incorporate the new-generation cabins on December 15, 2025.
- Phuket: Flight EK396/397 will launch with the upgraded 777 on December 1, 2025.
Additionally, Dublin will receive its second modernized Boeing 777 on December 1.
Leading the Way in Premium Economy
Since November 2022, Emirates has retrofitted 51 aircraft, including A380s and Boeing 777s, now serving 38 destinations. The airline’s ambitious goal is to refurbish 219 aircraft—110 A380s and 109 Boeing 777s.
By the end of 2025, Emirates will offer over 2 million Premium Economy seats annually, doubling to 4 million by late 2026. Nearly 40% of the fleet will feature upgraded interiors this year, including refreshed Premium Economy and Business Class cabins.
The investment aligns with strong demand, as Emirates’ long-haul flights maintain an occupancy rate above 80%.
An Unprecedented Modernization Project
With a $5 billion investment, Emirates’ retrofit program is the largest in the industry. Over 270 engineers and technicians work 1,800 hours daily to refurbish each aircraft—22 days for an A380 and 18 for a Boeing 777.
The scale is staggering: upon completion, Emirates will have installed 8,512 Premium Economy seats, 2,034 refurbished First Class suites, 12,720 enhanced Business Class seats, and 68,364 upgraded Economy Class seats. The project will also utilize 218,000 meters of fabric for Economy seats, 130,000 square meters of leather for premium cabins, 132,000 square meters of new carpeting, and 14,000 square meters of interior laminates.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized: “This rollout allows customers in over 70 cities to experience our next-generation premium offerings. By year-end, we will solidify our leadership in Premium Economy. Our inaugural A350 route to Adelaide underscores Australia’s importance in our network and our commitment to delivering the best long-haul travel experience.”
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