Emirates Advances to Next Phase of Fleet Retrofit for 111 Aircraft
Emirates’ fleet retrofit programme is entering its next phase, with 60 A380s and 51 Boeing 777s scheduled to receive the airline’s updated cabin products. Beginning in August 2026, the airline will introduce new onboard features, a next-generation in-flight entertainment system, and upgraded Wi-Fi connectivity powered by Starlink, as part of its broader fleet modernization plan.
Emirates Engineering, in collaboration with Airbus, Safran, Recaro, Panasonic, Starlink, and UUDS, will roll out updated seating designs and a redesigned onboard lounge across 60 A380s. These aircraft will also receive Panasonic’s Astrova inflight entertainment platform, supporting a more consistent passenger experience across the 111 aircraft set for retrofit.
The airline continues to collaborate closely with its long-standing partners to enhance cabin comfort, privacy, and the overall travel experience. Regular discussions with manufacturers and suppliers allow Emirates to stay aligned with developments in seating, entertainment systems, and cabin technologies, supported by ongoing investment in product enhancements.
Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, said: “Our retrofit programme reflects our approach to raising standards across the fleet. Working with our partners, we aim to deliver consistency at scale while introducing updated seating, entertainment, and connectivity features across both existing and newly delivered aircraft. Customers expect a reliable experience when they fly with us, and this work helps us meet that expectation across our network.”
Cabin Enhancements
Business Class: Business Class cabins on both the A380 and Boeing 777 will feature Emirates’ latest seating design, inspired by the leather S Lounge seats from Safran already installed on the A350 fleet. Each seat offers increased privacy, wireless charging, in-seat lighting controls, 4K in-flight entertainment, storage options, a minibar, and multiple charging ports, including USB-C and wireless charging capabilities.
Premium Economy: Premium Economy will feature Recaro seating with mechanical recline. The leather seats feature integrated leg and footrests, adjustable headrests, in-seat charging capabilities, a side cocktail table, and a 13.3-inch entertainment screen.
Economy Class: Economy Class will introduce Safran’s Z400 lightweight seats, designed for long-haul travel. Features include an eight-way adjustable headrest and enhanced comfort and functionality for extended journeys.
Entertainment and Connectivity
Panasonic’s Astrova platform will bring 4K OLED HDR10+ displays, Spatial Audio, Bluetooth connectivity, and 67W USB-C charging to all seats. The modular system allows Emirates to update components over time and includes the Arc 3D 4K Moving Map. Integration with Emirates Skywards will enable personalised content recommendations based on individual viewing preferences.
Starlink Wi-Fi will also be installed across the A380 and Boeing 777 fleets as part of the coordinated retrofit schedule, accelerating the rollout of improved onboard connectivity across the network.
Programme Progress
Emirates’ retrofit initiative has expanded significantly since its original announcement in 2021. Beginning with 120 aircraft, the programme was scaled to 191 aircraft in May 2024 and later increased to 219 aircraft by the end of the year. This reflects the airline’s ongoing investment in upgrading its fleet.
To date, 76 aircraft have undergone refurbishment. Each A380 requires about 22 days for retrofit, while each Boeing 777 takes 18 days. The programme continues at a steady pace, with two refurbished aircraft returning to service each month.
Leave a comment