Emirates has entered the next stage of its multi-billion-dollar fleet retrofit programme, confirming that 60 Airbus A380s and 51 Boeing 777s are now scheduled to receive the airlineโs newest cabin products and technology upgrades. The next wave of refits will begin in August 2026 and includes redesigned seating across all cabins, a revamped onboard lounge for the A380, and a next-generation inflight entertainment system paired with upgraded Starlink Wi-Fi.
The work is being carried out by Emirates Engineering in partnership with Airbus, Safran, Recaro, Panasonic, Starlink and UUDS. The airline says the goal is to deliver a more consistent premium experience across the next 111 aircraft lined up for retrofit, including the introduction of Panasonicโs new Astrova entertainment platform.
Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, said the programme underscores Emiratesโ long-term commitment to elevating the passenger experience. โWorking with our long-standing partners, we’re taking this commitment a step further with the aim of delivering product consistency at scale, in tandem with next-generation innovations in seating, entertainment, and connectivity,โ he said. โOur customers expect an excellent experience every time they fly Emirates, and this investment ensures we deliver on that promise in the years to come.โ
Business Class on both the A380 and 777 will be redesigned using Emiratesโ latest generation of Safran-built seats, inspired by the leather S Lounge seats debuting on the airlineโs A350s. The new seats offer more privacy, wireless charging, customisable lighting, expanded storage, minibar amenities and 4K ice entertainment.
Premium Economy will also be refreshed with Recaro seating featuring mechanical recline, leather trim, integrated leg and footrests, adjustable headrests, device charging and 13.3-inch screens.
Economy Class passengers will see the introduction of Safranโs lightweight Z400 seats, built specifically for long-haul comfort. Features include a new eight-way adjustable headrest and upgraded technology options.
The Astrova system rolling out across the A380s and 777s brings 4K OLED HDR10+ screens, spatial audio, Bluetooth support and 67W USB-C charging at every seat. Panasonicโs Arc 3D 4K moving map will also be integrated, along with a personalised content recommendation engine linked to Emirates Skywards.
Starlink connectivity will be installed alongside the cabin upgrades, enabling faster and more reliable Wi-Fi across both fleets. Emirates says aligning Starlink installation with the retrofit programme will speed up deployment across its network.
Emirates launched its retrofit initiative in 2021, initially covering 120 aircraft before expanding to 191 in May 2024 and later to 219. So far, 76 aircraft have been completed. Each A380 takes about 22 days to refurbish, while each Boeing 777 requires roughly 18 days. Two fully upgraded aircraft are currently re-entering service each month.
The airline says the programme is central to maintaining consistency across its long-haul fleet as it brings new A350s and 777-9s into service over the coming years
