In Case You Missed It / Emirates Unveils New Premium Economy And Refreshed Business Class cabins / By Madelin Tomelty /luxurytravelmag

The cabin upgrades were completed ahead of schedule, and completed in just 37 days

Emirates has introduced the first of its Boeing 777s to undergo a complete nose-to-tail refresh. The revamped aircraft is now in service, ahead of schedule, and took off for the first time on a flight Geneva on 8 August 2024. The comprehensive refurbishment, completed in just 37 days, included the installation of the airline’s first Premium Economy cabin on a Boeing 777, as well as highly anticipated new Business Class seats. According to Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, the refreshed Boeing 777 “raises the benchmark” for premium travel.

“Emirates continues to carry out our commitment to deliver an unmatchable onboard experience with the introduction of our latest Boeing 777 with new signature interiors, raising the industry benchmark when it comes to premium travel,” he stated.

“Our latest Business Class cabin offers customers a sense of exclusivity and privacy, complemented by our best-in-class suite of onboard products.

The addition of our popular Premium Economy cabin, rated one of the best in the industry, injects modern sophistication to the flying experience and is carefully designed for more comfort.”

The 24 Premium Economy seats are position in a 2-4-2 layout, featuring cream leather seats with wood panel accents. These seats offer a 38-inch pitch, 8-inch recline, and 6-way adjustable headrests, increasing comfort.

The Business Class cabin, with 38 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, features soft leather cream seats, lighter wood panelling, and modern technology.

Each seat transforms into a spacious flatbed, and passengers enjoy amenities such as a personal mini-bar, multiple charging outlets, and a 23-inch HD screen.

Emirates is investing over US$3 billion to refurbish 80 Boeing 777 aircraft, with plans to introduce the upgraded planes on routes to Tokyo Haneda, Brussels, and other destinations soon. The airline’s in-house engineering team in Dubai executed the refurbishment, involving 175 engineers and technicians, and collaborating with more than 10 local partners.

The project is part of a broader initiative to retrofit 191 Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft, enhancing over 43,000 seats across all classes. Currently, Emirates operates its newly refurbished aircraft on routes to New York JFK, Los Angeles, London Heathrow, Sydney, Tokyo Narita, and other major destinations.