Emirates Completes First Retrofit of Two-Class A380 Aircraft Under Multi-Billion Dollar Cabin Upgrade Programme

(IN SHORT) Emirates has completed the first retrofit of a two-class Airbus A380 aircraft as part of its multi-billion dollar cabin refurbishment programme, converting the aircraft into a three-class layout with Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy cabins. The refurbished A380, registered A6-EUX, has returned to service on the Dubai-Birmingham route and now includes 76 Business Class seats, 56 Premium Economy seats and 437 Economy Class seats. The retrofit marks the first time Emirates’ Premium Economy cabin has been installed on the upper deck of a two-class A380, with the new layout offering leather seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, enhanced recline, leg and footrests, charging ports, cocktail tables and a 13.3-inch entertainment screen. The work was completed in-house by Emirates Engineering in Dubai and required major structural, electrical and cabin modifications, involving around 50 engineers and technicians, 35,000 man-hours and more than 2,500 types of parts. The aircraft is the first of 15 two-class A380s scheduled for refurbishment by the end of 2026. Emirates’ wider retrofit programme has now covered 95 aircraft and has expanded from an original scope of 120 aircraft to 219, reflecting the airline’s effort to deliver a more consistent customer experience across its fleet while also repurposing removed cabin materials through upcycling initiatives.

(PRESS RELEASE) DUBAI, UAE, 2026-May-20 — /Travel PR News/ — Emirates has completed the first retrofit of one of its two-class Airbus A380 aircraft, marking a major milestone in the airline’s multi-billion dollar fleet refurbishment programme.

The newly reconfigured aircraft, registered A6-EUX, has returned to service on the Dubai-Birmingham route, operating as EK 39/40. The aircraft now features a three-class cabin layout with 76 Business Class seats, 56 Premium Economy seats and 437 Economy Class seats, bringing Emirates’ latest onboard products to customers across all cabins.

The retrofit is the first of 15 two-class A380 aircraft that Emirates plans to renovate as part of its broader commitment to deliver a more consistent and elevated passenger experience across its global fleet. The project also introduces Emirates’ Premium Economy cabin to the upper deck of the A380 for the first time.

The refurbishment was managed entirely in-house by Emirates Engineering in Dubai. So far, the airline’s retrofit programme has completed work on 95 aircraft, including 42 Airbus A380s and 53 Boeing 777s. This represents more than one third of Emirates’ current aircraft fleet.

Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, said the retrofit programme is built around the airline’s objective of offering customers an enhanced experience whenever they choose to fly with Emirates. He said the successful reconfiguration of the two-class A380 into a three-class aircraft, including the addition of Premium Economy seating on the upper deck, demonstrates the extensive capabilities of Emirates’ engineering team and its network of partners and suppliers.

The new Premium Economy cabin on the A380 upper deck features a 2-3-2 layout, with spacious leather seats, generous recline, full leg and footrests, six-way adjustable headrests, built-in charging ports, side cocktail tables, elevated dining and a 13.3-inch personal entertainment screen.

The aircraft has also received refreshed interiors across all three cabin classes. Emirates said the upgrades include latest-generation seats, new cabin finishings, fresh carpets, updated ceiling panels, modern colour palettes, Ghaf tree design motifs and premium wood finishes throughout the aircraft.

The reconfiguration of A6-EUX required extensive engineering work. The cabin interior was fully dismantled, refreshed and reassembled, while the upper deck was significantly modified. Emirates Engineering removed 120 Economy Class seats to create space for 56 Premium Economy seats and 18 additional Business Class seats.

The work also required structural modifications to galley modules, stowage areas, overhead bins, partitions, electrical systems and plumbing systems. Around 50 engineers and technicians contributed approximately 35,000 man-hours to the project and used more than 2,500 different types of parts.

The first two-class A380 retrofit took around two months to complete, including planning and testing. Emirates expects future retrofits of two-class A380 aircraft to take around 30 days as lessons from the first project are incorporated into the process. The airline plans to complete the retrofit of all 15 two-class A380s by the end of 2026.

Emirates first announced its retrofit programme in 2021, initially targeting 120 aircraft. Following strong customer feedback and the success of the programme, the scope was expanded in 2024, first to 191 aircraft and then later to 219 aircraft. Around 270 staff are dedicated to the programme, with an average of two refreshed aircraft leaving Emirates Engineering’s Dubai hangars each month.

The programme also includes an upcycling component. Materials removed from retrofitted A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft are evaluated for reuse as part of Emirates’ efforts to reduce waste. Previous upcycling initiatives include the “Aircrafted” collection of limited-edition travel items and “Aircrafted for Kids” backpacks made from repurposed Economy Class seat fabric. Around 4,000 of these backpacks have been donated to children in 10 countries.

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SOURCE: The Emirates Group