Emirates A380 Retrofit Programme Adds Premium Economy Cabin

Emirates has completed the retrofit of its first two-class Airbus A380 aircraft as part of the airline’s ongoing fleet refurbishment programme.

The refurbished aircraft, registered as A6-EUX, has entered service on flights EK39 and EK40 between Dubai and Birmingham. The updated aircraft now features a three-class configuration with 76 Business Class seats, 56 Premium Economy seats and 437 Economy Class seats.

This is the first of 15 two-class A380 aircraft that Emirates plans to refurbish under its retrofit programme, which is being managed by Emirates Engineering in Dubai. So far, the programme has completed refurbishment work on 95 aircraft, including Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s.

As part of the retrofit, Emirates has introduced its Premium Economy cabin to the upper deck of the A380 for the first time. The cabin features leather seats in a 2-3-2 layout, along with adjustable headrests, charging ports, leg rests and personal entertainment screens.

The aircraft interiors have also been updated across all cabins with refreshed carpets, ceiling panels, wood finishes and cabin décor inspired by the Ghaf tree motif used in the airline’s newer designs.

During the retrofit process, Emirates Engineering removed 120 Economy Class seats from the upper deck to create space for the new Premium Economy cabin and additional Business Class seating. The project involved structural modifications and changes to electrical and plumbing systems. Around 50 engineers and technicians worked on the retrofit, completing the project over a two-month period.

Emirates said future retrofits of its remaining two-class A380 aircraft are expected to take around 30 days each, with all 15 aircraft scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.

The airline also said materials removed during the refurbishment programme are being assessed for reuse through its upcycling initiatives, including the “Aircrafted” collection and backpacks for children made from repurposed aircraft materials.

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