Emirates has confirmed the next phase of its widebody retrofit programme, with more than 100 aircraft set to receive new cabins, upgraded entertainment and faster wifi from 2026. Jenny Southan reports

Emirates has announced the next stage of its large-scale fleet refurbishment programme, confirming that 60 A380s and 51 B777s will be upgraded with new cabin products and technology from August 2026. The work forms part of the airline’s wider modernisation strategy, aimed at delivering a more consistent passenger experience across its long-haul fleet.

The latest phase will introduce redesigned seating across business class, premium economy and economy, alongside a new onboard lounge on the A380. All retrofitted aircraft will also receive a next-generation inflight entertainment system and upgraded connectivity, including Starlink wifi, as Emirates continues to invest heavily in onboard experience.

The programme is being delivered by Emirates Engineering in collaboration with a range of partners including Airbus, Safran, Recaro, Panasonic and Starlink. In total, 111 aircraft are lined up for this phase of the retrofit, bringing the airline closer to its goal of offering a uniform product across both existing and newly delivered aircraft.

Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline, says the focus is on raising standards across the entire fleet rather than on a limited number of showcase aircraft. “Emirates’ retrofit programme is about continuously elevating standards across our entire fleet,” he says. “Our customers expect an excellent experience every time they fly Emirates, and this investment ensures we deliver on that promise in the years to come.”

Business class on both the A380 and Boeing 777 will feature Emirates’ latest generation seats, inspired by the Safran S Lounge design already in service on the airline’s A350s.

The updated seats are designed to create a more private and functional space, with wireless charging built into the side table, adjustable lighting, increased storage and multiple power options including USB-C. Each seat will also support 4K inflight entertainment and Bluetooth connectivity for personal headphones.

Premium economy, the airline’s newest cabin class, will continue its rollout with updated seating from Recaro. The seats include a mechanical recline system, leg and footrests, adjustable headrests and in-seat power, alongside a 13.3-inch entertainment screen. Emirates positions the cabin as a step between economy and business, offering more space and comfort on long-haul routes.

Economy class will also see changes, with new lightweight Safran Z400 seats introduced across retrofitted aircraft. Designed for long-haul flying, the seats feature an eight-way adjustable headrest and updated materials intended to improve comfort while reducing overall aircraft weight.

A key part of the upgrade is the introduction of Panasonic Avionics’ Astrova inflight entertainment system across both aircraft types. The system includes 4K OLED HDR10+ displays, spatial audio and high-powered USB-C charging at every seat. Emirates says the platform’s modular design will allow future upgrades without the need for full system replacement.

The entertainment system also integrates a new 4K moving map and connects with Emirates Skywards, enabling personalised content recommendations based on viewing habits. According to the airline, this will allow it to refine onboard content in real time as customer preferences evolve.

Connectivity is being upgraded at the same time, with Starlink wifi installed during the retrofit process. Emirates says aligning connectivity installation with cabin refurbishment will speed up the rollout of faster internet across its long-haul fleet, rather than treating it as a separate programme.

The expanded retrofit builds on a project first announced in 2021, when Emirates committed to refurbishing 120 aircraft. That figure was increased to 191 aircraft in May 2024 and later scaled to 219 aircraft, reflecting delays to new aircraft deliveries and continued demand for long-haul travel.

So far, 76 aircraft have been refurbished. Each A380 takes around 22 days to complete, while a Boeing 777 requires about 18 days. Emirates says two upgraded aircraft are now returning to service each month, operating across its global network.