Emirates refurbishes its aircraft
Emirates is ironic about the world's largest aviation retrofit programme through 'DIY Dubai', a new video inspired by refurbishment TV programmes. At the center of the story is an Emirates captain who, instead of renovating his home, chooses to transform a Boeing 777 with the support of Emirates Engineering teams. The video presents the company's interior renovation program: a $5 billion investment that will affect 219 aircraft, with the aim of making the travel experience even more comfortable, elegant and connected.
The retrofit includes a complete transformation of the cabin, with new seats, renewed toilets, more space for personal items, improved entertainment and a more refined design in all classes of travel. Among the main innovations is the introduction of Premium Economy on all the aircraft involved, with spacious and reclining seats, legrests, footrests, adjustable headrests, 13.3-inch screen, seat charging and dining service with linen tablecloths.
Emirates will also install Starlink Wi-Fi on its entire fleet, offering passengers a free and ultra-fast connection even at altitude. From October 2026, 4K OLED HDR10+ screens will also arrive on 60 Airbus A380s and 51 Boeing 777s. Upgrades will also cover Economy, Business and First Class, with new seats, increased privacy, more charging options, enhanced comfort solutions and, in First Class, private suites, Shower Spa on the A380, Onboard Lounge and new Bowers & Wilkins E2 headphones.
The refurbished aircraft are already operating to 40 destinations to and from Dubai including London, Madrid, Tokyo, Miami, Melbourne, Beijing, Vienna and Lisbon. Another 10 destinations will follow soon, including Milan.
To date, Emirates has completed the retrofit of 94 aircraft. There are 125 left to be transformed. Each intervention is carried out by Emirates Engineering teams in Dubai: it takes 18 days to renew a Boeing 777 and 22 days for an Airbus A380. With "DIY Dubai", Emirates uses a light language to describe a large-scale industrial project, designed to offer passengers an increasingly premium, connected and recognizable flight experience.
