In 2024, Emirates unveiled its long-awaited Boeing 777 cabin upgrades, marking a new chapter in air travel experiences, including Premium Economy.

• Emirates will introduce Premium Economy and refreshed Business Class cabins for the first time to Johannesburg and Cape Town this year.
• Emirates’ previous Boeing 777 Business Class setup made upgrades crucial to meet modern luxury travel standards.
• The airline aims to serve 44 cities with its fleet of refurbished Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft by September 2025.
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Johannesburg is set to receive the Emirates Boeing 777 on its daily EK 765/766 from 1 September 2025 and EK 761/762 services from 25 September 2025. Cape Town will be served with the airline’s latest interiors on its daily EK 770/771 from 20 September 2025. Emirates will introduce Boeing 777s with upgraded cabins to eight more destinations on its route network as the airline’s retrofit programme progresses at an impressive pace, with an aircraft receiving its nose-to-tail facelift and rolling out into service every three weeks.

The new 1-2-1 seat configuration delivers direct aisle access, enhanced privacy, and state-of-the-art features. By September 2025, 44 cities will be served with aircraft sporting Emirates’ latest Boeing 777 and A380 cabin interiors on over 379 weekly departures.

Planned Deployments Include:
• Lisbon (from 1 June 2025, EK 191/192 and EK 193/194)
• Dublin (from 25 June, EK 161/162)
• Hong Kong (from 15 July, EK 382/383)
• Maldives (from 1 June, EK 658/659; from 15 July, EK 656/657 and EK 660/661)
• Kolkata (from 10 August, EK 572/573)
• Colombo (from 10 August, EK 650/651)
• London Stansted (second daily service from 1 June, EK 067/068)

Emirates has expanded its Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 fleet refurbishment programme to cover more than 220 aircraft, representing the aviation industry’s most ambitious retrofit undertaking – a $5-billion investment dedicated to delivering the best products and exceptional customer experiences across its global network.

The refurbished Emirates Boeing 777 features a four-class configuration, headlined by Emirates’ signature Premium Economy and thoughtfully designed Business Class cabins. Emirates’ Boeing 777 Business Class seats come in a 1-2-1 arrangement, offering privacy, aisle access, and space to work, lounge, and rest. These updates are the first to introduce the airline’s next-generation Business Class seats, arranged in a state-of-the-art 1-2-1 configuration.

The Sandton Times experienced the previous Boeing 777 Business Class between Johannesburg and Dubai in December 2024, and the need for an overhaul was undeniable. Practical issues plagued the existing setup. The headphone jack was awkwardly positioned, brushing the shoulder and causing audio interruptions with the slightest movement. Storage space was nearly non-existent – apart from a small, hard-to-reach slot, personal items larger than an iPad Mini had no proper home. The seat design felt cramped, with limited elbow room and a narrow layout that left passengers yearning for the space expected in premium cabins.

The entertainment system added to the frustrations, requiring considerable dexterity to operate the tablet controller, which was poorly placed. The outdated 2-3-2 seat configuration further compounded the inconvenience. Passengers seated in the middle or at the window often had to climb over others to access the aisle, an especially frustrating experience during meal services when crew members had to reach over passengers to serve food and drinks. Instead of luxury, the old configuration often felt like a compromise.

Despite these shortcomings, there were redeeming features. Emirates’ renowned meal presentation and quality were consistent highlights. The tray table was spacious and well-suited for dining, and the fully adjustable seat offered commendable comfort when reclined into a lie-flat bed. Amenities like the Bvlgari-branded kits, complete with slippers, eye masks, and other essentials, added a touch of sophistication. However, these positives could not fully mask the dated feel of the cabin.

Recognising these shortcomings, Emirates committed to a transformative upgrade. Starting on 1 July 2024, the airline began refurbishing its Boeing 777 fleet from nose to tail. Each refurbishment took approximately two weeks, during which the cabins were redesigned to enhance privacy, comfort, and functionality. The new Business Class seats, arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, were the centrepiece of the overhaul. This updated configuration ensured every passenger had direct aisle access, addressing one of the most significant grievances of the old setup.

For South African travellers, Emirates remains a top choice for connecting to global destinations. The new Business Class upgrades promise to elevate the travel experience, blending luxury with practicality in ways that had been long overdue. With its revamped cabins, Emirates hopes to set a benchmark for air travel once more.

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