Emirates said Tuesday it has completed the refurbishment of 100 widebody aircraft under its fleet retrofit programme, marking a major milestone in what the airline describes as the largest aircraft cabin modernisation project undertaken by any airline.

In a press release, the Dubai-based carrier said that 47 Airbus A380s and 53 Boeing 777s have undergone comprehensive cabin upgrades since the programme began in November 2022. The airline said it expects to retrofit about 20 more aircraft by the end of December, taking the project beyond the halfway point of its US$5 billion investment.

According to Emirates, the retrofit programme has required more than 4.4 million man-hours over 44 months, with a team of more than 400 engineers and technicians carrying out the work at the airline's engineering facilities in Dubai.

Each refurbished aircraft has received a complete interior overhaul across all passenger cabins, including the installation of a new Premium Economy cabin. Emirates said more than 3,800 Premium Economy seats have been fitted as part of the programme, allowing the product to be introduced on additional routes across its global network.

"Our commitment to deliver best-in-class products across every cabin is an ongoing endeavour, and completing full cabin retrofits for 100 wide-body aircraft in 44 months is a significant achievement," Emirates President Sir Tim Clark said in the statement.

"Backed by a US$5 billion investment, it ensures our customers 'fly better,' with elevated luxury, comfort, and thoughtful detail throughout each cabin," he said, adding that completing the project in-house required extensive planning, technical expertise and precision engineering.

Emirates said engineers completely dismantle and rebuild each aircraft's interior during the retrofit process, replacing or upgrading thousands of components. An Airbus A380 requires more than 4,000 individual parts during refurbishment, while a Boeing 777 uses more than 2,500 parts.

The airline said its engineering division has also developed specialised equipment and modified operational procedures to support the programme, working with more than 100 suppliers to complete the upgrades efficiently.

The retrofit programme was initially announced in 2021 to cover 105 aircraft before being expanded to 191 aircraft in May 2024 and later to 219 aircraft by the end of that year, reflecting increased demand for upgraded cabins. The first retrofitted Boeing 777 entered commercial service in August 2024.

Emirates said the next phase of the programme will begin in October 2026, when upgraded aircraft will receive new 4K OLED HDR10+ seatback entertainment screens, lightweight Safran Z400 seats, and additional product enhancements.

The airline also highlighted sustainability initiatives linked to the programme, including the reuse of leather, fabrics, and other cabin materials removed during refurbishment. These materials have been repurposed into limited-edition luggage under the "Aircrafted by Emirates" collection, while more than 4,000 backpacks made from recycled Economy Class seat fabric have been donated to children in 11 countries.

The retrofit programme forms part of Emirates' broader strategy to modernise its fleet, expand the availability of Premium Economy and enhance the passenger experience while extending the service life of its existing Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

Source: PR