Emirates Debuts Refurbished Boeing 777 with New Business Class Cabin

Emirates has debuted its first Boeing 777 aircraft to undergo a comprehensive interior redesign, featuring a long-awaited business class cabin upgrade and the introduction of the airline’s new premium economy offering.

The newly refurbished 777-300ER has been officially put into service, signifying a major achievement in the airline’s ambitious renovation initiative. The inaugural flight of the revamped aircraft took place on August 7, departing from Dubai (DXB) and heading to Geneva (GVA).

Photo: Emirates, Boeing 777-300ER. Courtesy of Emirates

Passengers experienced the enhanced comfort and modernized amenities of the upgraded aircraft as Emirates continues to elevate its in-flight experience.

A Comprehensive Overhaul

The refurbishment of the Boeing 777 is part of the airline’s extensive ‘Project Phoenix’ initiative, a $3 billion program aimed at enhancing the passenger experience across its long-haul fleet.

Remarkably, as noted by the airline, the refurbishment process took just 37 days—four days quicker than initially projected.

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

One of the most notable additions to the refurbished 777 is the new Premium Economy cabin. Designed to bridge the gap between Economy and Business Class, this cabin features 24 plush, cream leather seats arranged across three rows.

Each seat is 19.5 inches wide, reclines up to 8 inches, and offers a generous 38-inch seat pitch.

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

The elegant design, complemented by wood paneling, creates a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment for passengers seeking a more refined travel experience.

Upgraded Business Class

Emirates has also upgraded its Business Class cabin. The 38 seats are upholstered in buttery soft leather, accented with champagne trim, and configured in a 1-2-1 layout to ensure every passenger has direct aisle access.

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

Each seat converts into a spacious flat bed measuring 78.6 inches long, complete with a padded headrest for added comfort.

In addition to the luxurious seating, the Business Class cabin offers a range of amenities designed to enhance the in-flight experience.

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

Each seat is equipped with a personal minibar, multiple charging outlets, and a large 23-inch HD screen for in-flight entertainment—one of the largest offered by any airline. The cabin also features a small communal bar, providing passengers with a space to socialize during the flight.

Enhanced Economy Class

Emirates hasn’t neglected its Economy Class passengers in this refurbishment. The Economy cabin, which accommodates 256 passengers, features seats in a mixture of grey and blue hues.

Photo: Courtesy of Emirates

Each seat is fitted with a leather headrest and flexible side panels that can be adjusted for greater support, ensuring a more comfortable journey for all passengers.

The Scope of Project Phoenix

The refurbishment of this Boeing 777 is just the beginning of Emirates’ ambitious ‘Project Phoenix.’ Launched in November 2022, the project initially focused on refitting the airline’s Airbus A380 fleet, with the goal of revamping 67 A380s and 53 Boeing 777s.

However, recognizing the need for a more extensive upgrade, Emirates announced in May 2024 that an additional 43 A380s and 28 Boeing 777s would also undergo refurbishment.

Photo: The newly refurbished Premium Economy onboard the Airbus A380. Courtesy of Emirates.

The first Boeing 777 to be completed under this program required 18,000 manhours to finish, with teams working cohesively 24/7 to meet the project’s demands. The dedication to this project underscores Emirates’ commitment to maintaining its reputation as a leader in luxury air travel.

Industry Reactions

Despite the grand publicity surrounding the revamped aircraft, opinions among industry experts have been varied. Renowned aviation journalist Jason Rabinowitz recently took to X to express his amazement at Emirates’ new 777 Business Class design. He was surprised to find that the new cabin seemed to be an updated version of the airline’s 16-year-old A380 seat.

Photo: Airbus A380, Business Class. Courtesy of Emirates

Rabinowitz acknowledged the substantial improvement in comparison to the prevalent 2-3-2 angle flat seating arrangement found on most 777s today but argued that it did not establish a new industry standard.

Another aviation enthusiast, Dino Marino, echoed similar viewpoints, emphasizing that contemporary Business Class offerings feature suites with sliding doors for privacy. He bemoaned the absence of this essential feature in the new Emirates product.

These criticisms shed light on the disparity between Emirates’ bold marketing and the expectations of industry observers, particularly concerning the Business Class offering.

The Future of Emirates’ Fleet

According to sources familiar with the Emirates retrofit project, the current upgrades to the Boeing 777 are likely to be a stopgap measure until the introduction of the Boeing 777X.

This next-generation aircraft is expected to feature an entirely new cabin product, reflecting the latest trends in luxury air travel.

Photo: Emirates placed an order for 90 777X airplanes, including 55 777-9 and 35 777-8 jets. Courtesy of Boeing.

As these new aircraft are delivered, Emirates plans to gradually phase out its oldest Boeing 777-300ERs and Airbus A380s, leaving the airline with a modernized fleet that includes Boeing 777-9s, 787-10s, and Airbus A350s.

Emirates has upgraded its Boeing 777 to enhance the passenger experience, adding a Premium Economy cabin and upgrading existing cabins to stay competitive. However, the mixed reactions show that the airline faces the challenge of meeting high expectations. As ‘Project Phoenix’ continues, it will be interesting to see how Emirates balances innovation with customer satisfaction, especially as it prepares to introduce the next generation of its fleet.