New life for the Emirates A380: Premium Economy on board
Emirates is taking a new step in its fleet modernisation programme with the completion of the first Airbus A380 originally configured as a two-class. The aircraft, registered A6-EUX, has already entered service on the Dubai-Birmingham route with flight EK 39/40, presenting a new three-class configuration: 76 seats in Business Class, 56 in Premium Economy and 437 in Economy Class.
The intervention marks the introduction of Emirates Premium Economy on the upper deck of the A380, with leather seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, wide recline, legrests, footrests, adjustable headrests, integrated charging sockets, side tables and a 13.3-inch personal screen for in-flight entertainment.
The renovation also covers all other cabins, with state-of-the-art seats, new carpets, updated ceiling panels, wood finishes and details inspired by the new Emirates identity, including Ghaf tree motifs.
The programme is managed entirely by Emirates Engineering in Dubai and has already involved 95 aircraft, including 42 Airbus A380s and 53 Boeing 777s, accounting for more than a third of the airline's current fleet.
To reconfigure the A380 A6-EUX, the technical team removed 120 Economy Class seats from the upper deck, creating space for the new Premium Economy and 18 additional Business Class seats. The intervention required structural, electrical and hydraulic changes, as well as the repositioning of on-board galleys, storage areas, overhead bins and bulkheads.
Announced in 2021, Emirates' modernisation programme has been progressively expanded to include 219 aircraft. Every month, on average, two refurbished aircraft roll out of Emirates Engineering's hangars. By the end of 2026, all 15 Airbus A380 two-class aircraft in the fleet will be retrofitted.
The initiative is also part of the company's responsible consumption path: the materials recovered from the renovated aircraft are destined for upcycling projects, such as the Aircrafted line and the Aircrafted for Kids backpacks, already donated to children in 10 countries.
