Emirates’ retrofit programme has entered its next phase, with 60 A380s and 51 Boeing 777s lined up to receive the airline’s latest cabin innovations. Starting from August 2026, the airline will introduce a host of new onboard products, alongside a next-generation, fully immersive inflight entertainment system and upgraded WiFi connectivity with Starlink on these aircraft as part of its extensive fleet modernisation efforts.
Emirates Engineering, working with partners Airbus, Safran, Recaro, Panasonic, Starlink, and UUDS, will introduce the latest seating designs and a new onboard lounge on 60 A380s, paired with Panasonic’s advanced Astrova inflight entertainment system, to deliver an elevated and consistent passenger experience on the next 111 aircraft set for retrofit.
“Emirates’ retrofit programme is about continuously elevating standards across our entire fleet,” said Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline. “Working with our longstanding 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.”
Business Class on both the A380 and Boeing 777 will receive a sophisticated upgrade with Emirates’ latest generation seating, inspired by the luxurious leather S Lounge seats by Safran, already featured on the airline’s A350 fleet. Each seat creates a more private space where thoughtful details elevate the journey, from wireless charging integrated into the side cocktail table to customisable in-seat lighting.
Premium Economy, Emirates’ latest cabin class, will feature Recaro’s advanced seating technology with a mechanical recline system. Spacious leather seats will continue to offer generous comfort with integrated leg and footrests, adjustable headrests, and thoughtful amenities including in-seat charging, a side cocktail table, and a 13.3-inch entertainment screen.
Economy Class customers will benefit from the introduction of new, lightweight Safran Z400 seats, specifically designed for long-haul operations, with every detail designed for comfort and convenience. This includes an adjustable eight-way headrest for neck and head support, in addition to other thoughtful tech touches.
Emirates has selected Panasonic Avionics to upgrade its IFE products on the A380 and Boeing 777s with the cutting-edge Astrova inflight entertainment platform, representing the airline’s commitment to delivering next-generation experiences.
Emirates is enhancing the travel experience further with fleet-wide Starlink connectivity, installed concurrently with the cabin retrofit programme across both A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.
