Dubai-based airline Emirates has announced the next stage of its ambitious retrofit programme, which will see upgrades applied to 60 Airbus A380s and 51 Boeing 777 aircraft. This latest phase aims to introduce a range of new onboard features designed to enhance passenger experience across its fleet.

Among the highlights are the introduction of Panasonic's advanced Astrova inflight entertainment system and upgraded Wi-Fi connectivity provided by Starlink. Emirates Engineering is collaborating with several major partners-including Airbus, Safran, Recaro, Panasonic, Starlink, and UUDS-to deliver these enhancements. Passengers travelling on retrofitted A380s will also notice updated seating designs and a newly designed onboard lounge.

Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, stated: "Emirates’ retrofit programme is about continuously elevating standards across our entire fleet. Working 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 being brought into service with our newly delivered fleet.

“Our customers expect an excellent experience every time they fly Emirates, and this investment ensures we deliver on that promise in the years to come, wherever they travel with us.”

Emirates Expands Major Retrofit Programme

The retrofit initiative builds upon Emirates' longstanding approach of continuous investment in passenger products and services. Originally announced in 2021 to cover full refurbishment for 120 aircraft, the airline expanded its goal to include up to 191 aircraft by May 2024 before reaching a target of retrofitting 219 planes later that year.

So far, refurbishment work has been completed on 76 aircraft. Each A380 typically requires around 22 days for the upgrade process, while each Boeing 777 takes approximately 18 days to complete retrofitting.

Business Class cabins on both A380s and Boeing 777s are set for significant improvements featuring Emirates’ latest seats-modeled after the plush leather S Lounge seats crafted by Safran already featured in its A350 fleet. These seats provide greater privacy along with enhancements such as wireless charging built into side cocktail tables and customisable in-seat lighting. Additional updates include redesigned storage areas, minibars within reach at each seat, multiple device charging options including USB-C ports and wireless charging capabilities. Passengers can look forward to enjoying high-definition ICE entertainment in stunning detail via new screens.

The Premium Economy section will incorporate Recaro’s latest seating technology offering mechanical recline systems alongside spacious leather seats equipped with integrated leg rests and footrests for added comfort. Adjustable headrests complement other amenities such as built-in charging points, side cocktail tables, and upgraded entertainment screens measuring up to 13.3 inches diagonally.

Economy Class passengers will benefit from lightweight Safran Z400 seats engineered specifically for long-haul flights. Features include adjustable eight-way headrests designed to improve neck support throughout lengthy journeys.

For inflight entertainment upgrades across both retrofitted models-the A380s and Boeing 777s-Panasonic Avionics will supply cutting-edge technology including vivid OLED HDR10+ displays comparable to premium home cinemas. The inclusion of Spatial Audio immerses passengers into multi-dimensional soundscapes whether listening through provided headsets or personal Bluetooth headphones.

A robust offering of powerful USB-C charging (up to 67W) ensures that all electronic devices can remain powered throughout the flight duration.

The entertainment platform further integrates Panasonic’s Arc digital moving map system presented in immersive Arc 3D 4K quality-a feature that allows travellers real-time flight tracking experiences. Further personalisation comes through integration with Emirates’ Skywards loyalty programme; an intelligent recommendation engine tailors content suggestions based on individual preferences over time during flights.

In addition to cabin interior changes, Emirates is enhancing onboard connectivity by implementing Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi throughout its entire wide-body fleet as part of the retrofit programme for both Airbus A380s and Boeing 777 aircraft.