Emirates showcased its retrofitted 777-300ER aircraft to invited guests in Dublin yesterday, not in use on the Dublin route. The new premium economy cabin, which is in a 2-4-2 layout is available on flights EK161 and EK162 since June 25, and will feature on The EK163 and EK164 from December.
In all, 109 Boeing 777 aircraft are being retrofitted in an ambitious US$5bn programme, bringing a new level of luxury and comfort to its global network, including the popular Dublin-Dubai route. The initiative, described as the aviation industry’s most extensive refurbishment project, aims to elevate the passenger experience with modernised cabins and cutting-edge amenities, with a new aircraft rolling out every three weeks.
A second daily service, EK163/164, will feature the upgraded aircraft from 1 December 2025, ensuring all Dublin-Dubai flights offer the enhanced experience.
Emirates aims to serve 44 cities with refurbished Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s by the end of September 2025.
The retrofitted Boeing 777s boast a four-class configuration, featuring eight First Class suites, 40 Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy seats, and 260 Economy Class seats. The refurbishment, conducted at Emirates’ state-of-the-art Engineering Centre in Dubai, involves a nose-to-tail overhaul, with each aircraft taking approximately 18 days to complete. The result is a refreshed interior that blends modern aesthetics with functional luxury, incorporating new colour palettes, Ghaf Tree motifs (the UAE’s national tree), and sophisticated wood finishes.
- First Class passengers, the retrofitted Boeing 777 offers exclusive Gamechanger suites, providing unparalleled privacy and opulence. These suites feature lavish design elements, ensuring a serene and indulgent journey for those travelling between Dublin and Dubai.
- The Business Class cabin has been reimagined with a 1-2-1 seating configuration, a significant upgrade from the previous 2-3-2 layout. Each 20.7-inch-wide seat offers direct aisle access, converts into a fully flat bed, and includes a personal mini-bar, a large table for dining or working, and a 23-inch HD screen—the largest of its kind in the skies. Enhanced privacy, ample stowage, and multiple charging outlets cater to business travellers, making the 7-hour flight to Dubai both productive and restful.
- Emirates’ signature Premium Economy cabin, a highlight of the retrofit, features 24 seats in a 2-4-2 layout. Each 19.5-inch-wide cream leather seat offers a 38-inch pitch and reclines eight inches, with six-way adjustable headrests for added comfort. This cabin, located just behind Business Class, provides Dublin passengers with an accessible yet luxurious option, blending affordability with premium amenities.
- Economy Class passengers will benefit from 260 redesigned seats, offering improved ergonomics and comfort. While 50 Economy seats were removed to accommodate the Premium Economy cabin, the refreshed design ensures a more spacious feel, complemented by Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, “ice,” accessible via personal screens.
Flights EK161/162, departing Dublin at 13:00 and arriving in Dubai at 00:15 the next day, and the return leg departing Dubai at 07:00 and arriving in Dublin at 11:40, will offer passengers a seamless, state-of-the-art experience.
The second daily service, EK163/164, will follow suit later in 2025, ensuring all Dublin-Dubai travellers can enjoy the upgraded cabins.
Emirates’ retrofit programme, which began in July 2024, has already seen 10 Boeing 777s enter service, with deployments to cities such as Geneva, Zurich, Brussels, and Tokyo Haneda. The addition of Dublin to this list reflects the route’s importance within Emirates’ network, offering Irish passengers enhanced connectivity to over 140 destinations via Dubai.
Speaking recently in Delhi, Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, who has a holiday home in Lismore, emphasised the programme’s significance: “Our multi-billion-pound investment in the retrofit programme introduces cutting-edge cabin products, ensuring more customers can consistently experience our premium offerings across both aircraft types.”
The initiative, managed entirely in-house by over 270 engineers and technicians, demonstrates Emirates’ dedication to innovation and passenger satisfaction.
Passengers can book the retrofitted Boeing 777 flights on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or through travel agents. With deployments potentially advancing if refurbishments are completed ahead of schedule, Dublin passengers are set to enjoy a world-class travel experience sooner than expected.
