Emirates to Debut New Business Class, Premium Economy on Six U.S. Gateways

Emirates will introduce its newly refurbished Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on six U.S. routes, offering passengers an upgraded travel experience across all its cabins.

The refreshed planes, which will serve cities including Chicago, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, and Seattle, bring the airline’s highly anticipated Premium Economy and upgraded Business Class to American travelers.

The Dubai-based carrier’s refurbished 777s will begin their U.S. debut with routes to Chicago on November 1. The rollout will continue with Boston on December 10, Dallas/Fort Worth on January 9, 2025, and Seattle on January 24.

Additionally, flights to Miami and Bogotá, as well as to Newark and Athens, will also feature the upgraded aircraft in February next year. By early 2025, ten of the airline’s 12 U.S. gateways will offer Premium Economy seating.

“With the success and popularity of Premium Economy on routes like New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston, we look forward to bringing a new level of comfort and privacy to more cities with refreshed cabins on our Boeing 777,” said the airline’s Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim.

Premium Economy: A New Standard of Comfort

A major highlight of the revamped 777s is the airline’s new Premium Economy cabin, which has proven immensely popular on other long-haul routes onboard the airline’s largest plane, the Airbus A380.

Passengers flying on the refurbished Boeing jets can enjoy larger, more comfortable seats, with 19.5-inch width, up to 8-inch recline, and a generous 38-inch seat pitch.

Photo: Courtesy of Emirates

The cabin is designed with sleek wood paneling and plush leather seating, offering a taste of luxury at a more affordable price point.

“The introduction of our refreshed product and ensuring consistent experiences in the sky on more routes is part of our long-standing commitment to the U.S.,” said Kazim.

In addition to the improved Premium Economy offering, Emirates is adding a range of features to passengers flying in this cabin. According to the airline, customers flying in this cabin can now enjoy exclusive Chandon Vintage Brut champagne and an elevated dining experience, including a variety of regionally inspired meals served on Royal Doulton tableware updated monthly.

Photo: Courtesy of Emirates

Globally, by the end of 2024, Emirates will have rolled out its Premium Economy cabin to 27 cities, including major international hubs like Dubai, Tokyo Haneda, and Geneva.

Upgraded Business Class

In addition to Premium Economy, Emirates has significantly upgraded its Business Class on the retrofitted 777s. Passengers will find 38 seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring everyone has direct aisle access—arguably the biggest improvement over the preceding cabin, which featured a 2-3-2 layout.

Photo: Courtesy of Emirates

The seats are upholstered in soft leather with champagne accents and recline into fully flat beds measuring 78.6 inches long, offering ultimate comfort for long-haul flights.

Amenities in Business Class include a personal minibar, multiple charging outlets, and a 23-inch HD screen—the largest in its class—allowing for an exceptional in-flight entertainment experience.

The cabin also features a small bar area where passengers can socialize mid-flight.

Enhanced Economy Class

Towards the plane’s rear section, Emirates has not forgotten its Economy passengers with subtle upgrades, too.

The updated Economy cabin, accommodating 256 seats, now includes leather headrests and flexible side panels for added comfort.

Photo: Courtesy of Emirates

The aesthetic design in shades of blue and grey provides travelers a modern, relaxing environment.

The Refurbishment Process

The introduction of these revamped aircraft is part of Emirates’ extensive ‘Project Phoenix’ initiative, a $3 billion program aimed at modernizing the airline’s long-haul fleet.

The first of the refurbished Boeing 777s was put into service earlier this year after an ambitious 37-day interior redesign.

Photo: Boeing 777-300ER, new Premium Economy Class. Courtesy of Emirates

A remarkable feature of this initiative is the speed of the process. Despite its complexity, Emirates says it has completed the retrofitting of each aircraft four days ahead of schedule, allowing for a quicker rollout of enhanced services to its passengers.