The upcoming years will be thrilling for Emirates Airline as they embark on an intriguing journey. Presently, this Dubai-based carrier operates a remarkable fleet comprising exclusively of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s.
With A380 production concluding in 2021, the airline has found it necessary to reevaluate its fleet strategy, particularly since A380s are scheduled to be retired around the mid-2030s.
Emirates has now placed orders for Airbus A350s, Boeing 787s, and Boeing 777Xs. What can we anticipate in terms of the interiors of these aircraft? Let’s look into the information we have and explore the exciting details ahead…
Emirates’ Fleet Renewal Plans
Emirates Airline currently boasts a fleet of approximately 250 aircraft, consisting of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s. Additionally, the airline has an impressive order for nearly 200 more aircraft, encompassing three different types:
- Emirates has a pending order for 50 Airbus A350-900s, with expected deliveries commencing in 2024.
- Emirates has also ordered 30 Boeing 787-9s, expected to be delivered starting in 2025.
- Emirates has placed an order for 115 Boeing 777Xs, anticipated to be delivered in 2025.
It’s worth noting that the Airbus A350 will be the next aircraft to join Emirates’ fleet. As for whether the 787-9 or 777-9 will follow, that remains uncertain.
It’s important to highlight that the 777-9, initially slated for delivery in 2020, encountered significant certification challenges, resulting in a delay. Presently, the earliest projected timeline for its operational debut is 2025.
Undoubtedly, the five-year delay and ongoing of the 777-9 has significantly disrupted Emirates’ fleet renewal plans.
Emirates Won’t Have First Class On A350s & 787s
Emirates has decided to adopt a three-cabin configuration, comprising business class, premium economy, and economy, for all 80 of its new A350-900s and 787-9s. Interestingly, these aircraft will not feature a first-class cabin.
According to Emirates President Tim Clark, these planes will primarily serve medium and long-haul routes where the demand for first class is perceived to be lower. This strategic move comes as a surprise to me.
Emirates currently has the largest first-class offering among all airlines globally, with first-class cabins available on over 90% of its aircraft. This has been a significant competitive advantage, allowing passengers to enjoy first class luxury on one-stop flights between almost any origin and destination.
By discontinuing the consistent presence of first class, some premium passengers may now find themselves with itineraries featuring a mix of cabin classes. The airline didn’t consider installing a small first-class cabin on these jets to maintain that level of consistency.
Emirates will have “new” first class on 777-9s
While the Airbus A350-900s and Boeing 787-9s in Emirates’ fleet won’t feature first-class cabins, the airline has exciting plans to install first class on its new 777-9s. With over 100 of these aircraft on order, the 777-9s are expected to become Emirates’ flagship planes, particularly after the retirement of the A380s.
Emirates intends to equip the 777-9s with the same exceptional first-class product found on a limited number of its 777-300ERs. Currently, only nine aircraft have these luxurious seats, so it will be truly exciting to witness the expanded presence of this product with the introduction of the 777-9.
What’s remarkable is that this first-class offering was introduced as far back as 2017. Considering that the first 777-9 won’t join Emirates’ fleet until 2025 at the earliest, the product will have aged around eight years by that point. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal and quality of the offering.
Emirates business class on A350s, 787s, & 777-9s
Even though Emirates is renowned worldwide as a premium airline, its Airbus A380 fleet, which includes the first class shower salon and business class lounge, gives the airline quite a halo effect. The 777, the carrier’s most frequently used aircraft, has a lackluster business class offering.
So, what does Emirates have in store for the business class seats on its A350-900s, 787-9s, and 777-9s? According to the latest information, Emirates plans to incorporate its Airbus A380 business class seat into these new aircraft. While some adjustments will be made to the seats, they are expected to be standard staggered business class seats. On a positive note, they will offer a fully flat bed and direct aisle access.
However, it’s worth mentioning that this is the most recent official update. If Emirates has a change of plans or if further details are yet to be revealed. It’s hard to envision Emirates installing this particular product on new aircraft in 2025. But then again, only time will tell…
What about existing Emirates aircraft?
Is Emirates planning to introduce new products on its existing fleet? The answer is yes. The airline is currently undergoing a $2 billion investment to retrofit 120 planes, primarily focusing on installing premium economy, which is a new cabin for Emirates. Alongside this significant change, there will also be minor modifications implemented.
The reconfiguration process began with the Airbus A380s. In addition to adding a 56-seat premium economy cabin, Emirates is refreshing all cabins on these aircraft. While the core structure of the seats remains unchanged, passengers can expect updates to finishes and an overall more stylish design.
As for the Boeing 777s, the reconfiguration is scheduled to commence in 2024. These jets will have a 24-seat premium economy cabin installed. Unfortunately, Emirates does not plan to introduce its new first-class product on these planes, which is quite disappointing considering the slow rollout thus far.
Now, what about the business class on the 777s? We have been informed that business class will be “upgraded to a new style and design,” although further details remain undisclosed. It remains uncertain whether we will witness a minor refresh or the installation of a completely new business class seat on these aircraft.
Bottom Line
Emirates is set to witness significant changes in its fleet in the coming years with the arrival of A350-900s, 787-9s, and 777-9s. Although there are more uncertainties than certainties, we do have a general understanding of the fleet plans for these aircraft.
The A350-900s, 787-9s, and 777-9s will all introduce a new business class, at least in comparison to the existing 777 business class. It is possible that this could be an adapted version of Emirates’ A380 business class, but considering the numerous delivery delays, it’s uncertain if Emirates may have altered its plans.
In the meantime, the A350s and 787s will not include a first-class cabin. The consistency of having a first-class offering has been a significant advantage for Emirates, as the airline boasts the world’s largest first-class footprint.
