Dubai, UAE, 15 July 2026 — Emirates has achieved a major milestone in its ambitious aircraft retrofit programme, with 100 wide-body aircraft now receiving comprehensive nose-to-tail cabin upgrades. Recognised as the largest known retrofit programme undertaken by an airline globally, the initiative has seen 47 Airbus A380s and 53 Boeing 777s refurbished since work began in November 2022. The programme forms part of Emirates' US$5 billion investment to enhance the onboard experience, with around 20 additional aircraft expected to undergo upgrades by the end of December 2026, taking the airline well beyond the halfway point of its 219-aircraft retrofit plan.

Over 44 months, more than 400 engineers and technicians from Emirates Engineering have contributed approximately 4.4 million man hours to the extensive project. Each aircraft undergoes a complete interior transformation, requiring thousands of individual components to be removed, refreshed and meticulously reinstalled. The scale of the undertaking highlights the technical expertise, detailed planning and precision required to modernise two of the largest passenger aircraft types in commercial aviation.

One of the key features of the retrofit programme is the introduction of Premium Economy across every upgraded aircraft. More than 3,800 new Premium Economy seats have been installed, allowing Emirates to expand the popular cabin class to more routes across its global network. The airline says the initiative is designed to provide passengers with an elevated travel experience featuring enhanced comfort, luxury and thoughtful details throughout the aircraft cabin.

The extensive project has also required Emirates Engineering to develop innovative methods and specialised equipment to improve the efficiency of the retrofit process. The team has modified catering trucks to transport large aircraft components between workshops and aircraft inside the hangars, while also introducing zonal work tracking and specialised storage and retrieval systems. More than 100 suppliers have been involved in supporting the programme, which has averaged around 28 aircraft retrofitted annually since its launch.

The retrofit initiative has expanded significantly since it was first announced in November 2021. Initially covering 105 aircraft, the programme grew to 191 aircraft by May 2024 before reaching its current scope of 219 aircraft by the end of the same year. The first retrofitted Airbus A380 entered the programme in November 2022, followed by the first refurbished Boeing 777 entering commercial service in August 2024.

The programme is set to enter another phase from October 2026, with additional product enhancements planned for selected aircraft. These include the installation of 4K OLED HDR10+ seatback screens and new lightweight Safran Z400 seats. In May 2026, Emirates Engineering also completed a major two-to-three-class retrofit of an A380 involving significant structural modifications, including the introduction of a Premium Economy cabin on the upper deck for the first time.

Sustainability is also an important element of Emirates' retrofit efforts, with materials removed from refurbished aircraft being repurposed wherever possible. Thousands of kilograms of high-grade leather, fabrics and other materials have been transformed into limited-edition collector items under the Aircrafted by Emirates range. The airline has also distributed more than 4,000 backpacks made from repurposed Economy Class seat fabric to children across 11 countries, demonstrating how the large-scale refurbishment programme can contribute to more sustainable practices while delivering a refreshed experience for travellers.