Emirates to roll out next phase of fleet retrofit program for 111 aircraft

Starting from August 2026, the airline will introduce a host of new onboard products, alongside a next-generation, fully immersive in-flight entertainment system and upgraded Wi-Fi connectivity with Starlink on these aircraft as part of its extensive fleet modernization 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.

Enhanced seat comfort in all classes
Commitment to product excellence means Emirates is in regular dialogue with partners on the latest initiatives in cabin furnishings, inflight entertainment systems, and cutting-edge cabin technologies, and shows no hesitation in making significant investments to achieve its long-term objectives.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “Emirates’ retrofit program is about continuously elevating standards across our entire fleet. 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.”

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 with thoughtful details, from wireless charging integrated into the side cocktail table to customizable in-seat lighting. Customers will be able to enjoy 4K ice entertainment, thoughtfully designed storage, minibar amenities, and multiple charging options including USB-C and wireless ports.

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 unrivalled neck and head support, in addition to other tech touches.

State-of-the-art entertainment and connectivity including Starlink
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 customers will enjoy breathtaking visual clarity on 4K OLED HDR10+ displays that rival premium home cinema systems, with vivid colours, infinite contrast, and perfect blacks that bring every frame to life. Spatial Audio immerses customers in rich, multi-dimensional sound, whether using Emirates’ premium headsets or their own wireless devices via Bluetooth. Powerful 67W USB-C charging at every seat ensures all devices stay charged throughout the journey.

The platform also integrates Panasonic’s Arc 3D 4K Moving Map, delivering an immersive flight-tracking experience. Seamlessly integrated with Emirates’ Skywards program, the platform’s intelligent recommendation engine learns individual preferences to suggest personalized content throughout the flight.

Emirates set to operate world’s largest international wide-body Starlink-enabled fleet

The travel experience is further enhanced with fleet-wide Starlink connectivity, installed concurrently with the cabin retrofit program across both A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. 14 aircraft are to be equipped each month. November 23 will mark a premiere for a commercial flight on a Boeing 777 with its super high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi. Emirates will complete the rollout by mid-2027.

The coordinated rollout strategy, integrating connectivity installations within the existing retrofit schedule, accelerates delivery of the complete Emirates experience across its global network.

Delivering experience consistency with every journey
The retrofit program builds on Emirates’ track record of continuous investment in its products and services. First announced in 2021 with 120 aircraft slated for full refurbishment, the airline expanded its retrofitting to 191 aircraft in May 2024 before further scaling it to 219 aircraft later that year.

To date, 76 aircraft have undergone refurbishment, with each A380 requiring approximately 22 days and each Boeing 777 taking 18 days to retrofit. The program maintains a steady cadence, with two freshly refurbished aircraft emerging each month ready to elevate the experience on routes worldwide.