Emirates Business Class is among the most revered in the world, with its A380 being a leader in global excellence. When launched in 2008, its onboard lounge was one of the most pioneering cabin experiences in the world, and its cosy and private compartments still delight with lie-flat beds, a coveted 1-2-1 configuration and more. However, while the Emirates A380 Business Class is one of the world’s best, its older Boeing 777 service hasn’t quite aged as well, especially as other Gulf and global airlines have upped their business class games.
Despite ongoing enhancements to select aircraft such as lie-flat beds, an in-seat mini bar and increased privacy, the dated cabins still maintained the old 2-3-2 configuration, meaning guests in the middle seat still had to step over their neighbours to access the aisle and go the bathroom – controversial in luxury modern aviation offerings of today.
Emirates Boeing 777 business class upgrades
With that said, Emirates has finally begun the journey on its long-awaited refurbishment of one of its most prolific models, the Boeing 777 300er, unveiling images of the first phase of the renovation. Removing the largely disliked 2-3-2 configuration, Emirates Boeing 777 business class will now offer the coveted 1-2-1 configuration, offering enhanced privacy and guest experience. With the removal or the middle seat, all guests will now have uninterrupted aisle access and new button controls.
The new business class cabin will also see all seats refreshed with a new ergonomic 20.7-inch-wide soft leather seat design that converts to a completely lie-flat bed, offering personal mini bars and large HD televisions. Existing business class offerings such as pyjamas and slippers will still be available on eye masks, with Bulgari amenities kits now only available to business class guests on overnight flights.
Emirates is not just refurbishing its business class; it is also introducing Premium Economy to its Boeing 777 models. The new Premium Economy will feature 24 19.5-inch-wide cream leather seats with chic wood accents, offering extra comfort with ample legroom and adjustable headrests. Premium economy seats will offer a 38-inch pitch that tilts back 8 inches for a relaxed recline with in-seat charging, a wooden dining table and side cocktail table. Even the economy class is getting a makeover, with seats in soft grey and blue tones, ergonomic design, and adjustable headrests. This expansion of cabin classes demonstrates Emirates’ commitment to enhancing the travel experience for all passengers. The first phase of the refurbishment took 37 days.
The shiny new Emirates Boeing 777 serves Brussels, Tokyo Haneda, Zurich and Riyadh, with Geneva also set to be refurbished by 1 October 2024. From 22 September, Geneva will also become the first city in the Emirates network to offer premium economy seats and the newly refreshed business class on all its flights, with the introduction of the retrofitted B777 on flight numbers EK89 and EK90.
So far, 25 aircrafts have been retrofitted with 17 more aircrafts set to undergo a facelift by December 2024.
For the full list of flights updated, and currently being updated, as part of the refit, visit emirates.com
Dubai-based Isabella Craddock is the founder of Near+Far, a founding Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, former Condé Nast Traveller editor and a hotel-obsessed, design-devoted travel planner—for friends, loved ones, and readers alike.
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