Emirates is advancing into the next phase of its extensive fleet retrofit programme, with 60 Airbus A380s and 51 Boeing 777s lined up for a sweeping cabin upgrade that introduces the airline’s latest onboard innovations.
Beginning August 2026, the carrier will roll out a new suite of products across both aircraft types, including next-generation seating, an immersive inflight entertainment system, and enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity powered by Starlink. The initiative forms a central pillar of Emirates’ broader fleet modernisation strategy, designed to deliver a consistent and elevated travel experience across its global network.
Emirates Engineering, working alongside long-standing partners Airbus, Safran, Recaro, Panasonic, Starlink, and UUDS, will lead the retrofit effort on 111 aircraft in this phase. The upgrades will include new seating concepts and a redesigned onboard lounge on 60 A380s, all paired with Panasonic’s advanced Astrova inflight entertainment (IFE) system. The integrated approach underscores the airline’s focus on ensuring product consistency and premium comfort across its flagship wide-body fleet.
Deep partnerships fuel product innovation
Emirates’ long history of driving cabin innovation remains central to the retrofit strategy. The airline has worked closely with aircraft manufacturers, seating specialists, and IFE suppliers to deliver incremental improvements in passenger comfort, privacy, and technology. Its commitment to product excellence means the Dubai-based carrier is in constant dialogue with key partners to evaluate emerging cabin furnishings, next-gen entertainment platforms, and advanced cabin technologies. Emirates has regularly demonstrated a willingness to invest at scale to realise its long-term ambitions for a modernised, future-ready fleet.
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Sir Tim Clark, president Emirates Airline, reaffirmed this commitment, noting that the programme is designed to elevate standards across the 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,” he said. “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.”
Cabin enhancements across all classes
Business Class Upgrades
Business Class on both the A380 and Boeing 777 will be equipped with Emirates’ latest generation of seating, inspired by the leather S Lounge seats by Safran already installed on the airline’s A350 aircraft. The updated design enhances privacy and comfort, with a focus on thoughtful finishing touches. Features include wireless charging integrated into the side cocktail table, customisable lighting, multiple charging options including USB-C and wireless ports, and a 4K ice entertainment experience. Additional storage and minibar amenities round out the more sophisticated and personalised seating environment.
Premium Economy Evolution
Premium Economy, the airline’s newest cabin class, will also receive an upgrade featuring Recaro’s advanced mechanical-recline seating technology. The spacious leather seats continue to offer generous comfort with integrated leg- and footrests, adjustable headrests, in-seat charging, a side cocktail table, and a 13.3-inch entertainment screen. The enhancements are intended to maintain the balance Emirates aims to strike between value and premium-level comfort.
Economy Class Refinements
Economy Class passengers will experience the introduction of Safran’s lightweight Z400 seats, designed specifically with long-haul travel needs in mind. The seats feature an eight-way adjustable headrest, engineered for enhanced neck and head support, complemented by other technology-driven conveniences intended to elevate comfort even in the most affordable cabin class.
Next-generation IFE and connectivity
Astrova IFE Across A380 and 777 Fleets
As part of the retrofit, Emirates has selected Panasonic Avionics to upgrade IFE systems on both the A380 and Boeing 777 fleets using the cutting-edge Astrova platform. The system reflects Emirates’ ambition to deliver high-fidelity, cinema-grade entertainment experiences onboard.
Passengers will benefit from 4K OLED HDR10+ displays that deliver vivid colours, infinite contrast, and deep blacks comparable to premium home theatre screens. Spatial Audio technology creates a multi-dimensional soundscape, compatible with both Emirates’ premium headsets and passengers’ own Bluetooth-enabled devices. With 67W of USB-C charging power at every seat, travellers can maintain full device power throughout long-haul journeys. The modular structure of the Astrova system will also allow Emirates to upgrade individual elements, such as displays and power units, over time as technology evolves.
Enhanced digital experiences
The platform integrates Panasonic’s Arc 3D 4K Moving Map, offering an immersive flight-tracking experience. Emirates Skywards members will benefit from personalised content recommendations via the platform’s intelligent recommendation engine, which learns from preference patterns. On the backend, real-time engagement analytics enable Emirates to refine and update its content library to align with customer viewing trends.
Fleet-wide starlink rollout
Emirates is complementing its IFE upgrades with the installation of Starlink’s high-speed inflight connectivity across its A380 and 777 aircraft. By synchronising the connectivity rollout with the existing retrofit schedule, the airline aims to accelerate deployment and deliver a seamless digital experience across its worldwide network.
Scaling an ambitious retrofit plan
The ongoing retrofit programme reflects Emirates’ multi-year commitment to continuous investment in its fleet. Initially announced in 2021 with 120 aircraft slated for refurbishment, the programme was expanded to 191 aircraft in May 2024, and again later that year to cover 219 aircraft, one of the largest initiatives of its kind globally.
To date, 76 aircraft have been fully refurbished. Each A380 requires roughly 22 days to complete a retrofit, while each Boeing 777 takes approximately 18 days. Emirates maintains a steady pace, with two fully upgraded aircraft emerging from the programme each month.
These aircraft are then deployed across global routes, progressively raising the consistency and quality of the onboard experience across the entire network.
By integrating upgraded seating, advanced entertainment, and high-speed connectivity, Emirates is reinforcing its commitment to offering a consistent, top-tier travel experience. As the retrofit programme scales into its latest phase, the airline is positioning itself to deliver elevated service standards for years to come, aligning innovation, product design, and connectivity in a unified strategic vision.