Emirates Expands Premium Economy on A380 Fleet

May 20, 2026

61 min

May 20, 2026 10:31

Flying on Emirates’ A380? More passengers can now get Premium Economy

## New Cabin Configuration

Emirates has introduced a new cabin configuration on its A380 aircraft, adding Premium Economy seating to its fleet. The first retrofitted aircraft, registered as A6-EUX, is now operational on the Dubai-Birmingham route. This marks the beginning of a significant upgrade program for the airline.

## Retrofit Details

The newly configured A380 features a three-class layout with 76 Business Class, 56 Premium Economy, and 437 Economy Class seats. The Premium Economy cabin, located on the upper deck, offers wider leather seats, leg and footrests, adjustable headrests, and a 13.3-inch entertainment screen.

## Extensive Upgrade Program

Emirates plans to retrofit 15 two-class A380s by the end of 2026. This is part of a broader $5 billion upgrade initiative aimed at extending the service life of its A380s and Boeing 777s. The program involves complex engineering work, including structural modifications and interior refurbishments.

## Future Plans

The airline has completed upgrades on 95 aircraft, including 42 A380s and 53 Boeing 777s. The retrofit program, initially covering 120 aircraft, has expanded to 219, making it one of the largest cabin refurbishment projects by Emirates. The airline aims to complete future retrofits in about 30 days each, leveraging lessons learned from the initial project.

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