Emirates Set to Upgrade 111 Aircraft as Next Phase of Major Fleet Retrofit Begins
Emirates has announced the next phase of its extensive fleet retrofit programme, confirming that 111 aircraft, including 60 Airbus A380s and 51 Boeing 777s, will undergo major upgrades from August 2026. The latest enhancements will introduce new cabin products, advanced in-flight entertainment, and improved Wi-Fi connectivity powered by Starlink, marking a significant step in the airline’s long-term modernisation strategy.
Working alongside partners including Airbus, Safran, Recaro, Panasonic, Starlink, and UUDS, Emirates Engineering will outfit the A380s with refreshed seating, a redesigned onboard lounge, and Panasonic’s new Astrova entertainment system. The upgrades reflect the airline’s continued commitment to delivering consistency and excellence across its global operations.
Emirates President Sir Tim Clark said the retrofit programme represents the airline’s dedication to elevating standards throughout its fleet. He noted that the collaboration with long-standing partners underlines Emirates’ determination to offer passengers exceptional comfort, privacy, and next-generation travel experiences. “Our customers expect an excellent experience every time they fly with Emirates,” he said, “and this investment ensures we deliver on that promise in the years ahead.”
Business Class on both the A380 and Boeing 777 will feature Emirates’ latest generation seating inspired by Safran’s premium leather S Lounge design used on the airline’s A350s. The upgraded seats will offer greater privacy, wireless charging, customisable lighting, dedicated storage, minibar facilities, and 4K entertainment screens.
Premium Economy will benefit from Recaro’s advanced seating technology with mechanical recline, spacious leather seats, adjustable leg and footrests, and thoughtful features such as USB-C charging and a 13.3-inch screen.
Economy Class passengers will experience improved comfort through Safran’s lightweight Z400 seats, designed specifically for long-haul travel and featuring an advanced eight-way adjustable headrest.
Emirates will introduce Panasonic’s state-of-the-art Astrova in-flight entertainment system, bringing 4K OLED HDR10+ displays, Bluetooth audio, and 67W USB-C fast charging to passengers. The platform integrates the Arc 3D Moving Map system and features a personalised recommendation engine linked with the Skywards loyalty programme.
The airline will also roll out Starlink’s high-speed connectivity across the retrofitted fleet, ensuring stronger, faster, and more reliable in-flight internet access.
Originally announced in 2021 with 120 aircraft, Emirates expanded its retrofit programme to 191 aircraft in 2024 and later increased the number to 219 aircraft. So far, 76 aircraft have been refurbished, with each A380 undergoing approximately 22 days of work and each Boeing 777 requiring around 18 days.
The project maintains a consistent pace, with two fully refreshed aircraft joining the operational fleet every month, enabling Emirates to deliver a uniform and enhanced passenger experience across its global network.
