emirates a380 800 business class seating plan

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• Airbus A380-800 (388) Three Class Layout 1

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Traveler photos (103).

In-flight amenities

Each seat is equipped with personal Audio Visual on Demand (AVOD) via Emirates' ICE entertainment system. There is an extensive menu of audio and music tracks available. More Information

Each seat is equipped with personal Audio Visual on Demand (AVOD) via Emirates' ICE entertainment system. There is an extensive menu of movies, television programmes and video games available. More Information

Every First and Business Class seat is equipped with a regular 110v AC power port. In Economy, the power ports are located between the seats.

Read our guide to in-seat laptop power for more information.

This aircraft features a WiFi hotspot provided by OnAir, which allows passengers to pay for internet access using their credit cards.

Complimentary food and bar service are available on all Emirates flights.

Emirates was the second airline to operate the Airbus A380-800 aircraft.

Emirates operates three versions of the A380 with slightly different configurations. This version has fewer Economy Class seats. To verify the correct version of the A380 at the time of booking or at online check-in, the follow rows may be used as reference: Economy begins at row 43 on the main deck; Business Class ends at row 26 on the upper deck.

This aircraft operates with three classes of service. First Class are individual suites with sliding doors. There is also a shower for First Class passengers. Business Class is in a staggered pattern with most seats having direct access to the aisle and a pair of seats down the centre. Economy Class is located entirely on the main deck of the aircraft.

Every seat is equipped with inflight power and individual entertainment.

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Emirates flies 3 versions of Airbus A380-800.

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Airbus A380-800 (388) Three Class Layout 2

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Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft seat map Emirates

A380-800 V.1

A380-800 v.2, a380-800 v.3, a380-800 v.4, a380-800 v.5, a380-800 v.6, a380-800 v.7, click on a seat for details.

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First class

Aboard the Airbus A380-800 V.1, Emirates introduces a first class that captures the essence of luxury in regional aviation. Catering to a select 14 passengers, this class offers an ambiance of exclusivity and sophistication. The seats, designed with utmost attention to detail, are complemented by gourmet dining and a tailored entertainment suite. The dedicated crew, trained specifically for this iconic aircraft, ensures a journey that's both intimate and exceptional.

Experience regional travel at its finest with Emirates's business class on the Airbus A380-800 V.1. Designed for 76 passengers, it offers a serene environment equipped with modern amenities. The seating is designed for relaxation, the dining is exquisite, and the entertainment options are vast. The crew's dedication ensures a journey that's both comfortable and memorable.

Premium economy

For travelers desiring an enhanced experience on regional routes, Emirates's premium economy on the Airbus A380-800 V.1 is an excellent choice. With 56 seats, passengers enjoy a spacious setting, enhanced amenities, and priority boarding. The in-flight entertainment is upgraded, and meal options are thoughtfully curated. The crew's dedication ensures a journey that's both smooth and delightful.

Travelers aboard Emirates's Airbus A380-800 V.1 in economy class can expect a functional and inviting environment. Tailored for regional routes and 338 passengers, it offers essential comforts in a cozy setting. The crew remains attentive and dedicated, ensuring a satisfactory flight experience.

One Mile At A Time

Nonstop Dan

EXCELLENT AIRLINE , FROM THE MEAL SERVICE TO THE cabin service ,it is the best I had ever experienced great food great service emirates the best ,connect the world

good enough

The Airbus A380-800 V.2 a popular variant, sees Emirates elevating the first class experience. With 14 seats, passengers are treated to a spacious environment, ergonomic seating, and premium amenities. The in-flight dining is a gastronomic delight, and the entertainment options are vast. The dedicated crew ensures that every need is catered to, making each flight a memorable experience.

Emirates's business class on the Airbus A380-800 V.2 family, offers a harmonious blend of comfort and functionality. With 76 seats, passengers can relax in ergonomic chairs, enjoy a selection of gourmet meals, and stay entertained with a diverse media library. The crew, familiar with the nuances of this aircraft, ensures a seamless and luxurious journey.

On the Airbus A380-800 V.2, of the Emirates offers an economy class that's both comfortable and efficient. Designed for 429 passengers, the cabin is modern and well-appointed, ensuring a pleasant flight experience. The seating is practical, and a range of in-flight entertainment options keeps passengers engaged. The crew's commitment ensures a smooth journey for all.

Turning Left For Less

Josh cahill, simply aviation.

Emirates's first class on their Airbus A380-800 V.3 is the gold standard in aviation luxury. With an exclusive 14 seats, passengers are immersed in an environment of unparalleled opulence. Luxurious suites, gourmet meals, and a handpicked entertainment selection await. The crew, trained to perfection, delivers a bespoke and discreet service.

Traveling in Emirates's business class on their Airbus A380-800 V.3 is synonymous with luxury. Catering to 76 passengers, the experience includes spacious seating, gourmet dining, and top-tier in-flight entertainment. The crew, with their meticulous attention to detail, ensures every passenger's needs are met with precision.

When flying with Emirates on their Airbus A380-800 V.3, passengers in economy class can anticipate a straightforward yet reliable experience. Designed to accommodate 427 travelers, the cabin merges affordability with necessary comforts. Functional seating and a variety of in-flight entertainment options are available. The crew, consistently attentive, ensures a seamless journey, meeting passenger needs efficiently.

On the Airbus A380-800 V.5, Emirates showcases a first class that epitomizes luxury in regional jet travel. Catering to a select 14 passengers, this class offers an ambiance of opulence and tranquility. The seats, designed for utmost comfort, are complemented by gourmet dining and a tailored entertainment suite. The dedicated crew, trained specifically for this advanced aircraft, ensures a journey that's both personalized and exceptional.

The business class on the Airbus A380-800 V.5 by Emirates offers a harmonious blend of luxury and functionality. With 76 seats, passengers can relax in ergonomic pods, indulge in gourmet meals, and stay connected with onboard Wi-Fi. The crew, adept in offering tailored service, ensures a seamless and luxurious journey.

On the Airbus A380-800 V.5, Emirates offers an economy class that's tailored for the modern traveler. With 399 seats, the cabin is modern and well-appointed, ensuring a pleasant flight experience. The seating is optimized for comfort, and a diverse range of entertainment options keeps passengers engaged. The crew's commitment ensures a smooth journey for all.

Noel Philips

On the Airbus A380-800 V.7, Emirates presents a first class that redefines regional luxury. Catering to a select 14 passengers, this class offers enhanced comfort in a cozy setting. The seats are plush, and passengers are treated to premium service and dining options. The crew, trained to perfection, ensures a personalized and attentive service throughout the journey.

Experience regional travel like never before with Emirates's business class on the Airbus A380-800 V.7. Designed for 76 passengers, it offers a comfortable seating environment and attentive service, ensuring a pleasant journey from start to finish.

Travelers aboard Emirates's Airbus A380-800 V.7 in economy class can expect a functional and cozy environment. Tailored for regional routes and 401 passengers, it offers essential amenities for a comfortable short-haul journey. The crew is attentive, ensuring a satisfactory flight experience.

Traveling in Emirates's business class on their Airbus A380-800 V.4 is a harmonious blend of luxury and comfort. With 58 seats, passengers enjoy expansive seating, gourmet dining, and top-tier in-flight entertainment. The crew, with their meticulous attention to detail, ensures every passenger's needs are met with precision.

Travelers aboard Emirates's Airbus A380-800 V.4 can expect a refined economy class experience. With a capacity of 557 seats, it offers a blend of comfort and essential amenities. The in-flight entertainment keeps passengers engaged, while the attentive crew ensures a satisfactory flight experience.

Emirates's first class on their Airbus A380-800 V.6 is the epitome of luxury. Limited to 14 seats, it promises exclusivity. Passengers indulge in sumptuous suites, gourmet cuisine, and a curated entertainment selection. The crew, trained to perfection, offers a personalized and discreet service.

Traveling in Emirates's business class on their Airbus A380-800 V.6 is an experience in luxury. With 76 seats, passengers are treated to spacious seating, gourmet meals, and premium in-flight entertainment. The attentive crew provides a bespoke service, ensuring every need is catered to.

Passengers flying with Emirates on their Airbus A380-800 V.6 can expect a straightforward experience in economy class. Designed for 426 travelers, the cabin balances affordability with essential comforts. While the seating is functional, passengers can enjoy a selection of in-flight entertainment. The crew, always professional, ensures a smooth journey, addressing basic passenger needs efficiently.

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Review: Emirates A380-800 Business Class (BKK-HKG)

Emirates' A380 Business Class does little to justify the hype, with an ageing seat and a service experience best described as "assembly line".

Emirates received its first Airbus A380 more than 15 years ago, and it’s safe to say the airline rather likes them. It’s now the largest operator of the type in the world, with more than 120 whalejets in its fleet. And while other airlines have started the process of sunsetting their A380s, Emirates is still investing in them, with plans to fly the aircraft “well into the next decade”.

In that sense, I’m awfully late to this party. Though I did try the A380’s First Class product last year (and what a crazy experience that is!) , it’s only now that I’ve been able to review Business Class, on a Bangkok to Hong Kong flight.

And granted, this was only a short-haul service, but I didn’t go away all that impressed. The seat hasn’t aged well, the service felt like an assembly line, and in a way it kind of highlights the halo effect Emirates gets from its (admittedly awesome) First Class.

Emirates A380-800 Business Class

Given how many Airbus A380-800s Emirates has in its fleet, it’s no surprise that they have multiple different configurations. AeroLOPA shows seven different seat maps, but you’ll generally find 76 Business Class seats on every A380 (except the two-cabin configuration used for less premium-focused markets which has just 58 Business Class and a whopping 557 Economy Class seats).

Also, Emirates has a few versions of its A380 Business Class seat, though the bones are the same. Some of the differences are cosmetic, such as the seat upholstery, but others go deeper, like the specs and controller for the IFE system, or the type of power outlets- not all A380s have universal ones! FlyerTalk has an excellent resource that tracks all of Emirates’ A380s and their cabin configurations.

Regardless of which A380 you get, Business Class will be in a 1-2-1 configuration, which gives every passenger direct aisle access. Mind you, that’s better than Emirates’ other long-haul aircraft, the B777-300ER, which still have middle seats in a 2-3-2 layout!

The 76 seats are split into a forward cabin of 58 passengers, and a rear cabin of 18. My advice? Avoid the rear cabin if possible. You’ll get a lot of disturbance because:

• There’s four lavatories in the rear of the aircraft, so foot traffic is guaranteed
• All Business Class service is conducted from the rear galley, so crew will constantly be walking back and forth with service carts and trays
• The bar is located at the rear, and boisterous patrons are not quiet patrons

That’s not to mention you’ll also be the last off the aircraft when disembarking. 

Solo travellers will prefer the A or K seats, as these are shielded from the aisle by the side console and have better views of the window.

In contrast, the B or J seats are closer to the aisle, and the window is partially blocked. 

Couples travelling together may prefer the E/F seats in the middle, as the privacy divider can be lowered for conversation and sharing a meal.

If you’re a solo traveller who can’t get the window seats, then the D/G seats will ensure you’re at least well separated from your seat mate. 

I chose seat 20K, which like all Emirates Business Class seats, had no shortage of walnut burl. It was on the table tops, the side storage bins, the walls, even the IFE tablet, almost as if someone on the Emirates’ design team got a bulk purchase discount. But you know what? That’s just Emirates for you. Getting upset with Emirates about their over-the-top bling is like getting angry at a cow for mooing. If you think this is tacky, you’re flying on the wrong airline.

Business Class passengers have a 23″ touch-sensitive screen, which doesn’t perform very well in bright light as the photo below shows. 

In terms of navigation, you can either lean forward to tap the screen, or you can use the corded remote located beneath it. There’s also a third option of a wireless tablet that allows you to browse and make selections. This is locked in its charging bay whenever the aircraft is on the ground, and during take-off and landing. 

The tablet charger is next to the mini-bar, which is another fun little Emirates gimmick. However, it’s not very useful because it doesn’t actually chill the drinks. I appreciate having extra bottles of water at hand, but unless you like room-temperature Pepsi and 7-Up, you’ll still need to ask the crew for a glass of ice.

Each seat has two Type-A USB ports. There’s also an in-seat power outlet, but bizarrely, it’s not universal. Given that Emirates carries passengers all over the globe, it’s hard to see why they would choose to do this. If you have a Singapore/UK/Hong Kong plug, you will need a power adapter (I should note that there’s an element of luck at play here, as Emirates’ newer A380s have universal power outlets).

Near your head is a reading light, plus seat controls for full flat, lounging and full upright.

The tray table was large and sturdy, and didn’t have any bouncing or wobbling when I typed on my laptop. Unfortunately, the design does not allow you to easily exit your seat when you have the table deployed.

One nice thing about the A380 is that you have additional storage bins by the window that can easily accommodate a backpack (or three). The windows have electrically controlled shades, with day and night options.

No amenities kit was provided on this short-haul flight, but each Business Class passenger had a pair of slippers and eyeshade waiting at their seat. I appreciated that this eyeshade had an adjustable velcro strap, unlike the elastic band that Singapore Airlines and other carriers use, which puts pressure on your eyeballs (after using it for a few hours, your vision will be temporarily blurred when you remove it).

A smooth blanket was also provided, and there was bedding in the storage bins, which I assume the crew would have set up on request.

Food & Beverage

Pre-departure beverages were served on the ground in Bangkok, which consisted of freshly-squeezed orange juice or champagne, plus a hot towel.

The crew served mixed nuts after take-off, together with more drinks. I opted for a mojito, which showcases nicely the benefits of having an onboard bar. Freshly muddled mint beats pre-mix anytime.

Emirates allows you to check the menu for your flight in advance via this link. On this flight, the following menu was served.

For shorter flights, Emirates serves the entire meal on a tray in Business Class, which is meant to speed up proceedings. Still, my meal only reached me around the halfway point of the flight- probably because I was at the rear of the first cabin. 

I went with the prawn machbous, which is supposed to be something of a signature dish on Emirates. It consists of prawns marinated in a traditional Emirati spice blend, served on fragrant rice cooked in a broth of spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cumin and turmeric. I didn’t think it was great, to be honest, since the prawns were tiny and the dish was mostly rice. 

Much better was the salted caramel cheesecake served for dessert, and I had to stop myself from finishing the whole thing. 

Since I’m not a particularly big fan of the Moet & Chandon champagne that Emirates serves onboard (while it’s one of the best-known champagne brands, most of their money goes into marketing instead of the wine), I decided to try some of their other wines instead.

Emirates has an unrivaled wine programme (the airline has a cellar in France with 6.5 million bottles of fine wines, some of which won’t be ready for tasting until 2035), and on this flight the following options were available.

The crew went around the cabin with the wines in a metal basket, so they could pour you a flight if you wanted. I decided on the Pouilly-Fuisse Louis Latour, which for me was better than any Business Class wine I’ve had on Singapore Airlines.

Onboard bar

But why booze at your seat when you can booze at the bar? One of the signature touches of the Emirates A380 is its onboard bar, which opens shortly after take-off and runs all the way till last call about one hour before landing. 

This bar is open to both First and Business Class passengers, on flights of at least 2 hours 30 minutes. Bangkok to Hong Kong squeezes in just above the threshold with a 2 hour 45 minute flight time!

While there’s no stools at the bar, you can take a seat on one of the two crescent-shaped couches by the sides, each of which has seatbelts for three passengers. 

Help-yourself bar snacks can be found on a shelf beneath the bar’s TV, including fruit, potato chips, and pre-packaged sandwiches. 

The novelty of an onboard bar can’t be overstated. No one’s saying you need to be a social butterfly to enjoy it; even if you hate the idea of small talk, there’s a lot of utility in having a change of scenery, a place to walk around a bit, order a drink, and briefly forget you’re in a pressurised cabin. 

By the way, your bar may look very different from mine because the newer A380s have a refreshed design, which adds booth seating with tables. 

Inflight Entertainment

Emirates is a powerhouse when it comes to IFE, with its Information, Communications, Entertainment (ICE) system widely regarded as one of the best out there. 

This packs a bewildering 5,000 entertainment options, including full box sets, the latest Hollywood movies, classic movies, TV shows, music, and many options for the non-English speaking crowd.

The letdown is actually the display. These seats incorporate screen technology which is more than a decade old, and even though Emirates started a mid-cycle refresh in 2015, not all aircraft have been upgraded. My 23″ screen was full of reflections and glare, and was often washed out by cabin lights. 

Business Class passengers receive over-ear noise cancelling headsets, which were comfortable and performed well.

Emirates does offer  complimentary Wi-Fi, but not to all passengers. 

Whether or not you get free Wi-Fi depends on both:

• your cabin class, and
• whether or not you’re a member of Emirates Skywards

For example, an Emirates First Class passenger would not enjoy free Wi-Fi, unless they also happen to be a member of Skywards.

There’s no cost to join Skywards, but in order to get free Wi-Fi your membership number must be linked to your booking at least 24 hours before departure. Moreover, this means that if you wish to credit your Emirates flight to a different FFP, you won’t get free Wi-Fi.

If you forget to add your Skywards number in time, you’ll have to pay for access. This costs

• US$2.99-5.99 for a chat-only plan
• US$9.99 for 30 minutes (selected regions only)
• US$9.99-19.99 for full-flight Wi-Fi

As a Skywards Blue member flying in Business Class, I received a free chat-only package, which was only good enough for WhatsApp without media uploads (Telegram was not supported). 

I’m quite surprised that Emirates doesn’t just make Wi-Fi free for all First and Business Class passengers, period, like what Singapore Airlines has done.  

Sleep Experience

This flight was too short for a proper rest (especially given how long the meal service took), but I did put the seat all the way down to try it out. 

The seat padding is comfortable, though the bed is on the narrow side. Like many Business Class seats, you’ll find that the space for your feet is somewhat restricted, and it suits those who sleep on their side more than back sleepers.

I also found it difficult to access the aisle once the seat was fully reclined, as you need to manoeuvre through a very small corridor between the side table and seat back to do so.

The 76 Business Class passengers have a total of six lavatories; two at the front of the cabin, and four at the rear, behind the bar. 

The lavatories are also not free from Emirates’ love of walnut burl, though surprisingly for a Middle Eastern airline, there’s no bidet function. Taps are sensor operated, and Bvlgari toiletries are stocked.

Bathroom were kept reasonably clean on this short flight. 

My biggest issue with Emirates Business Class service is how impersonal it felt, much like an assembly line. You never got the feeling like you were more than just another cog in the machine (not helped by the fact that Emirates isn’t very consistent with addressing passengers by name), and it felt like the crew were more interested in checking off each item and moving on, rather than making passengers feel welcome or at home. 

There were times when the crew literally went around seat by seat with a clipboard in hand, asking a methodological list of questions (what drink do you want after takeoff/ do you want nuts/ what meal option do you want) without even making eye contact.

Maybe it’s because this was a short flight and they were pressed for time, but from what I’ve read online, this is a common issue even on long-haul services. Besides, SIA shows that it’s possible to offer excellent, personalised service even on short-haul flights, versus the whole “hurry up and relax” vibe I got with Emirates.

Emirates’ A380 Business Class clearly goes for wows. The first time you board, it’s hard not to be overstimulated: Wow, there’s a bar! Wow, look at the trim on these seats! Wow, there’s a mini-bar in my seat! 

But after you settle in and start actually using the seat, you’ll find that even though it isn’t bad by any means, few would call it market leading. It’s hard not to get the feeling that most of the buzz comes from the over-the-top experience in First Class, rather than the merits of the Business Class product itself.

Of course, there’s fun little touches like the onboard bar, as well as a wine and alcohol selection that’s second to none. But it’s counterbalanced by the fact that the seats have seen better days, not to mention there’s still a good number of A380s out there with non-upgraded screens and non-universal power outlets.

Fun to do as a bucket-list thing, but perhaps not warranting repeat patronage.

What do you make of Emirates Business Class?

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Review: amex centurion lounge hong kong, priority pass adds tiger den at changi terminal 4.

The bar was fun as was the ability to take a polaroid photo, but the hard product felt old. Never mind that, the FAs got my wrong meal order too and there was an LED strip that turned itself on and off and was distracting. I brought the last two matters up in-flight and via email and customer service was so defensive.

i totally forgot about the polaroid photo. would have been a nice keepsake

I would take this experience anytime over shocking experience I have with SQ. You might have different experiences cause of PPS or gold member ? But I think for others, Sq experience would be likely same as what you had at this flight

While i would agree that SQ service is quite mechanical nowadays, I still managed to experience one or two flight recently (HKG-SIN, and LHR-SIN) with excellent service even though i am not like some ah pek with 30+ years of Solitaire. The crews were lively, attentive and excel in almost every aspects (maybe there was an auditor on-board lol).

While I also experienced bad flight with EVA 2weeks ago (KIX-TPE).

I think nowadays many things are not given… depends on luck. However most would agree that they are in general still much much better than United and Delta….

Finally some honesty in a EK review, the only premium aspect about them are the price, publicity materials and the brush walnut ascents. Not only is SQ better than them on average, I would rather fly MH or TG knowing that service would be more personal.

One of the very few EK reviews without using “ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!” “CRAZY!!!” or “ISNT THIS JUST AWESOME?!!”

Oh gosh. This Ah Pek is going on SQ SIN-HKG next month which I’m looking forward to as having not been on board SQ’s premium cabins in over a decade. I haven’t been on EK’s for even longer than that. I only remember there was too much gold colour for my liking.

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Emirates Airbus A380-800 (388) Seat Map

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The Emirates Airbus A380-800 features 517 seats in a 2 cabin configuration. Business class has 76 seats in a 1-2-1 config; First class has 14 seats in a 1-2-1 config; this is pretty standard for these aircraft. Legroom-wise, the Business class pitch of 178cm 70-79" is average, the First class pitch of 198cm 78-86" is average, though of course what that means for you depends on how tall you are!

• Business Class
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The economy cabin on Emirates's A380-800 features standard seats in a 1-2-1 configuration.

The premium economy cabin on Emirates's A380-800 features standard seats in a 1-2-1 configuration.

The business class cabin on Emirates's A380-800 features 76 lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration.

The first class cabin on Emirates's A380-800 features 14 enclosed suite seats in a 1-2-1 configuration.

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A review of Emirates business class on the Airbus A380 from New York to Milan

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

Quick take: Emirates A380 business class lives up to the hype, with an enjoyable experience and luxurious amenities from start to finish.

• It's an excellent lounge in New York with a variety of Champagne choices that create a sense of occasion as well as a wide range of hot food.
• Eye-catching Bulgari amenity kits are stocked with the brand's high-end products.
• Spending time in the onboard bar is probably the most fun you can have in business class across the Atlantic.
• The massive business-class cabin can feel impersonal on a full flight.
• The number of lavatories is insufficient for how many passengers this plane carries, and they are awkwardly located.
• Unlike on some of Emirates' longer-haul flights, eight hours is barely enough time to experience everything.

Fifteen years after taking delivery of its first Airbus A380, Emirates is the largest operator of the world's largest passenger aircraft, with a fleet of more than 100 jets.

While the flight time from the U.S. to the airline's mega hub at Dubai International Airport (DXB) can be a marathon , Emirates also flies a shorter fifth-freedom service between New York's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) in Italy. (The aircraft then continues on to Dubai.)

I have admired 15 years' worth of social media posts of Emirates' A380 onboard bar, and I had a very positive experience flying Emirates' new premium economy last year. So, I was thrilled to finally get the opportunity to fly business class and spend some time in the high-flying cocktail lounge.

Here's what the experience was like flying Emirates' A380 business class.

How much does business class cost to book on Emirates?

Award availability using Emirates Skywards miles on this unique route is plentiful over the winter months but harder to come by in the summer. We redeemed 87,000 Emirates Skywards miles plus $104 in taxes and fees for a one-way business-class flight from New York to Milan.

Here is the range of cash and award rates on it over the next 12 months:

Both cash fares (excluding the airline's Business Special bucket) and mileage redemptions in Emirates business class to or from the Americas include free seat selection, two checked bags up to 32 kilograms (70 pounds) each and two full-size cabin bags.

Emirates flight EK206 departs JFK daily at 10:20 p.m., arriving in Milan just less than eight hours later at 12:15 p.m. the next day.

The fastest and easiest way to earn a meaningful number of Skywards miles is by leveraging the right credit card welcome bonus and transfer options.

Emirates does offer a pair of cobranded credit cards in the U.S., but even if you don't have one of them, Skywards miles are among the easiest to earn without them since Emirates is a transfer partner of several major credit card points currencies .

The following cards all currently offer strong welcome bonuses with points and miles that you can transfer into your Skywards account:

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• American Express® Gold Card
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Citi Premier® Card: (see rates and fees)

Checking into and boarding business class on Emirates

Emirates business-class passengers can expect the following priority services at the airport.

Emirates operates from Terminal 4 at JFK, which is typically a hive of activity in the evenings before a bank of flights departs to Europe.

Another Emirates A380 flight departs just 40 minutes after the flight to Milan (that one operating nonstop to Dubai), so Emirates fields a huge check-in area to cater to more than 1,000 evening passengers.

A dedicated business-class check-in lane with only a handful of passengers meant a friendly and efficient check-in agent helped me within five minutes.

Emirates business-class passengers do not receive priority security. If you do not have TSA PreCheck , you will need to allow plenty of time to pass through the often-busy checkpoints in this terminal.

Once through security, the Emirates lounge is upstairs toward gate A6, next to the Air India lounge.

The lounge was excellent, both in size and in the quality of food and beverage options available. Even with two A380s shortly departing in the middle of summer, there was plenty of seating.

Passengers could choose from both Moet & Chandon Imperial and Veuve Cliquot Champagnes, as well as name-brand spirits like Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky, Grey Goose vodka and Jose Cuervo tequila. Coca-Cola and Pepsi soft drinks were stocked in the refrigerators, along with San Pellegrino sparkling water and Acqua Panna still water.

An extensive buffet of hot and cold dishes, such as roasted rack of lamb and zucchini cakes in the dining area looked freshly prepared and neatly presented. In short, this is a lounge worth arriving slightly early for.

Business-class passengers are invited to board at leisure through the priority boarding lane, with boarding commencing 50 minutes before departure. Emirates does have the ability to board passengers onto its A380 double-deckers directly from the lounge above the terminal's main concourse. However, this area was being refurbished during my visit.

How comfortable was business class on Emirates?

On Emirates' three-cabin mid-haul A380s, business class is upstairs behind the luxurious first-class cabin with the following configuration and dimensions.

There is a large main section and a mini-section behind that. I chose seat 14K, a window seat midway back in the larger section.

Seats are staggered in a 1-2-1 configuration so that each has direct aisle access. Each seat has a large shelf and storage area on either its left or right armrest. So, you could be sitting closer or farther from the aisle, depending on your row's configuration.

Window A and K seats along the sides of the cabin are farther from the aisle, while B and J seats are closer to the aisle. D and G seats are by the aisle in the cabin's center, with E and F seats in pairs together in the middle.

Despite being almost 10 years old, the cabin aboard my plane was in excellent shape; it still appeared fresh, clean and polished. The entire upper deck dedicated to the premium cabins created an exclusive private jet-like atmosphere.

There was a huge amount of glossy wood paneling, and the beige and gray swirls on the hardbacks of the seats felt a little dated. Still, it felt like an enormous amount of money had been spent on this cabin.

The large, burnished tray table swung out from the larger armrest and was more than enough for a full-size laptop or meal. It could slide forward and back so passengers could easily get in and out of the seat.

On the larger armrest of my window seat was a handheld remote, a handheld tablet to control the various seat functions, a universal charging plug, a reading light, a headphone jack and two USB-A charging ports. Emirates is one of the only airlines with an in-seat "minibar," though the drinks are at room temperature since it's not refrigerated.

Thanks to the curved fuselage of the A380's upper deck, there were two large storage bins under the window — another reason why the window seats are a great choice for solo travelers.

The seat reclined fully flat via buttons on the side shelf (or the wood-paneled handheld tablet). While the short flight length and the allure of the onboard bar meant I only had a few hours to sleep, it was a comfortable bed with good cushioning in the seat and good support for my head from the large pillow. The cabin was also kept at a nice, cool temperature for sleeping.

There were only three restrooms for the 76-seat business-class cabin, so even though the cabin wasn't full, there were lines to use the facilities at various points throughout the flight. All three were at the rear of the cabin behind the onboard bar, just in front of the large galley area.

This location was awkward to deal with since crews had to dart in and out of the area with food trays while passengers were coming in and out of the toilet. Still, they were spacious and kept clean during the flight. Although, I was surprised not to see any special, high-end toiletries.

Placing the bathrooms between the two business-class cabins and away from the galley would have been far more logical, but perhaps this setup was selected to accommodate the inflight bar.

Amenities in Emirates business class

Numerous goodies were awaiting me when I boarded. A large, plush pillow and blanket were laid on the seat, and a mattress pad was placed in the storage bins below the window.

Emirates recently rolled out new his and hers Bulgari amenity kits. While I usually leave the kits on the aircraft since I don't have much use for them afterward, the smart black and tan men's pouch looked both practical and elegant.

It was generously filled with opulent Bulgari pour homme eau de toilette, body lotion, after-shave balm and lip balm. They also had non-Bulgari shaving cream and a razor, roll-on deodorant, a comb, a dental kit and tissues.

Noise-canceling Emirates-branded headphones were also waiting on my seat, as was an eye mask and sleep socks in beige and brown tones. Pajamas are not provided in Emirates business class.

Emirates "ICE" inflight entertainment system (for information, communication and entertainment) has hundreds of entertainment options, live television, games and inflight information.

Among the dozens of new release movies were "Avatar: The Way Of Water," "About My Father," "Mafia Mamma" and "The Menu." There was also plenty of information about the aircraft and details about arriving or transiting in Dubai.

Wi-Fi was available on the flight. Prices ranged from $5.99 for a messaging-only option to $19.99 for the full-flight package with no data limits; streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube were blocked. I registered speeds of 4.59 Mbps downloads and 3.71 Mbps uploads with the full flight package, which was disappointing for the price.

How was the food in Emirates business class?

During boarding, the cabin crew offered a choice of pre-poured Veuve Cliquot, orange juice or water, and food and wine menus.

Shortly after takeoff, orders were taken for a light supper that was served quickly due to the late departure time. Options included:

• Green pea ravioli
• Roasted rack of lamb
• Chicken Biryani
• Reuben sandwich
• Chocolate cherry torte

I ordered the Reuben sandwich and quickly received my drink of choice — a Champagne cocktail with Hennessy X.O. and Angostura bitters — as well as a ramekin of warmed nuts.

Given how large the business-class cabin was, I was most surprised when the staff asked me when I would like to receive my meal. Seeing all meals delivered from the galley rather than trolleys serving all passengers at a set time was unique.

My Reuben sandwich, while simple, was hot, tasty and just the right size as the time approached midnight (about 90 minutes into the flight).

After dinner, the crew passed through the cabin, offering a range of traditional Arabic sweets.

Breakfast was delivered individually to each passenger around 75 minutes before landing in Milan. All passengers were offered bread, pastries, fresh fruit and yogurt, fresh juice, tea and coffee, as well as a choice of the following hot items:

• Avocado, tomato and cheese omelet
• Scrambled eggs with chives
• White chocolate and apple pancakes

I chose the scrambled eggs with chives, served on a tray with grilled chicken sausages, rosti and braised cannellini beans. It was hot, hearty, filling and one of the better business-class cooked breakfasts I've eaten.

Service throughout the flight was excellent, though I admit I was lucky to have booked a flight in the summer that wasn't full. I was impressed with the personalized experience on the world's largest commercial aircraft, with the crew regularly passing through the cabin to see if passengers wanted anything.

Whether the onboard bartenders are trained to strike up a conversation, or I lucked out with a chatty crew, they seemed to thoroughly enjoy talking with passengers about their travel plans and answering questions about Emirates and Dubai.

They were proud of the airline and took service seriously, though there were plenty of smiles and laughs from crew and passengers alike.

The Emirates A380 onboard bar

The best feature of this flight for me was the onboard bar. Located at the rear of the upper deck cabin, it is available for all business- and first-class passengers to enjoy from the moment the seat belt sign is turned off until the start of descent. While you may know Emirates also has two onboard showers on the A380, these are strictly reserved for first-class passengers .

The U-shaped bar is stocked with Champagne, wine and spirits, and various sweet and savory snacks. A bartender is available to whip up pretty much any drink you can think of, on or off the menu. One passenger asked for a cocktail the crew was unfamiliar with, so the passenger asked if they could jump behind the bar and mix it up themselves.

The crew didn't hesitate to agree, which made everyone smile.

The older-style onboard bars, like on my flight, have bench-style seating on either side for guests to mingle and relax; the newer bars have booths and a separate bench.

Dedicating this much space to a social area is a fun perk for the airline to offer passengers, many of whom seemed to be as excited as I was to experience it. Beyond being a place to stretch your legs on long flights, it's a great place to meet other travelers and to chat informally with the crew.

Before you even ask, the crew will likely offer to take a photo of you behind the bar (but don't hesitate to ask, even if they don't). It's the ultimate Emirates A380 business-class souvenir.

The bar was busy directly after the first meal service but quiet for much of the rest of the flight. The bartenders told me with a wink that the daytime flights to and from Scotland are the liveliest onboard bar scene in the Emirates network.

Would you recommend Emirates A380 business class?

I don't think I've ever enjoyed a transatlantic business-class flight this much, where the priority is usually to sleep as quickly as possible. I only wished this flight had lasted longer. The Emirates A380 experience was terrific from start to finish, with an excellent lounge at JFK, great cabin crew, nice seats, and an impressive number of food and beverage options.

Everything felt luxurious and opulent (over the top, even), and I can see why this product has remained popular for 15 years. Features like a wood-paneled removable tablet to control the seat position and an in-seat minibar are so ostentatious but still brought a wry smile to my face.

It was also terrific to be back on the A380 after the pandemic caused uncertainty about the jumbo jet's future. The plane remains a marvel of engineering, and the all-premium configuration of the upper deck on Emirates created an unmistakable atmosphere of exclusivity.

The onboard bar was the best-executed social space I have ever seen on an aircraft, and it's difficult to overstate just how enjoyable the crew made the experience. I've never chatted with flight attendants this much on an overnight flight before.

All that said, I'd suggest avoiding Emirates' Boeing 777 since the business-class seats feel downright outdated compared to newer editions, and there are even middle seats without direct aisle access. Instead, aim for all the fun of the Airbus A380 on the longest flight you can.

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Flying Emirates A380 Business Class? Don’t Make This Mistake

Emirates A380 Business Class is widely considered one of the best products in commercial flying. For luxury travellers, it rarely gets any better for those who can’t really justify bumping up to First Class. And yet there are are a few things you need to be aware of that can make or break your in-air journey, especially when it comes to choosing the best seats in order to maximise your Emirates A380 Business Class experience.

Emirates has never avoided massive business class cabins, so depending on the version of the A380 you’re flying you’d find anywhere from 58 to 76 business class suites onboard. With a uniform 1-2-1 layout (compared to the dated 2-3-2 layout on the 777), each seat has direct aisle access but some are different depending on where they are located in the cabin. Some might have more leg room; some might offer more privacy; some add an extra layer of convenience.

Emirates A380 Best Seats – My Experience

This was a mistake. As a general rule, you should prefer window seats to aisle seats when flying Emirates A380 Business Class, and this is due to a number of reasons.

But the main one is sleep. It’s always sleep. And when it comes to sleeping in business class, sometimes it’s the really small details that matter the most. For example, I flew Etihad’s newest business class product a few months ago and was able to sleep much easier as the updated business class suite came with its own sliding door.

That’s generally why people use eye masks and ear plugs when they’re trying to sleep on a long-haul. And a good rest, especially on a red eye flight that touches down in Dubai just before the crack of dawn, can mean the difference between enjoying the full day or hitting a wall by the afternoon.

This is something I forgot to consider when choosing my Emirates A380 Business Class seat. 15D meant that I was right across the aisle from 15B. Given the size of the business class suites, the aisle seems to be a bit tighter and the seats appear closer together, so while I was well separated from my fellow middle passenger on 15G, I wasn’t blocked off from 15B.

RELATED: Emirates Is Now The Only Airline Allowed To Serve Dom Perignon & Other Champagnes

So Which Seat Should You Choose On The Emirates A380?

Aisle seats and middle rows should be avoided wherever possible. For solo travellers, the better seats are A and K. Not only do they offer window views, but you’ll generally get more legroom when fully flat. Rows 6 and 7 also seem to be the best ones are they are at the front of business class, so the only passengers walking past you will just be the crew coming and going from another cabin.

In the photo above of 16A, you’ll see that the seat is by the window while the console faces outward to the aisle. This is the ideal seat if you want minimal disturbance as the console blocks you from the action of the aisle and is just as good as a sliding door.

Given being closer to the window than the aisle means less interaction with other passengers, this also makes these seats valuable if Covid is a concern. The less people walking past means the less chance you have of someone coughing on you while they’re shedding.

This, however, is only applicable for solo travellers.

If you’re travelling with someone else like a partner, close friend or relative, then seats E and F seem to be the best. You’ll find them on every second row and they have been designed so that they are together in the middle with the consoles (private mini bar and storage space) facing the aisle.

If you’re planning on being awake for the most of the flight and sleeping isn’t a concern, then I suggest going for the mini-cabin. That is, from rows 22 to 26. You’ll be closer to the four toilets as well as the widely praised Emirates A380 Bar.

This bar is open for the entire flight and serves cakes, sandwiches, wines and beer. Don’t bother ordering the cocktails as they aren’t very good. But this is a valuable place to be if you want to chat to your fellow passengers and try soak up the golden age of air travel, on which the bar is based.

Note that the above applies for only one of the Emirates A380 Business Class layouts. That is, the traditional three class layout with First and Business on the upper deck, and Business being split into both a main cabin from rows 6 to 21 and a mini-cabin from rows 22 to 26.

You can easily see which version of the A380 applies to your flight by going into the Manage My Booking section of the Emirates website and visiting the seat selection page. It won’t tell you, but if there’s a row 26 then that means you’ll get the version mentioned above.

For a better idea of the layout head to SeatGuru .

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Emirates A380 Seat Map

Emirates Airbus A380 Seat Specifications

Amenities key.

Emirates A380 Seat Map: Overview

This Emirates A380 seat map overview is specifically for the Airbus A380-800 aircraft. This plane in the Emirates A380 fleet comes with a private AVOD (Audio Video on Demand) through the Emirate ICE entertainment platform.

Passengers will have a good time on the flight due to the extensive entertainment systems. All cabins of the Emirates Airbus A380 have an array of audio and music menus, video games, and television shows for passengers to enjoy.

Passengers can go through the Emirates A380 seat map to ensure they know the best seats and the ones to avoid. Every plane’s business and first-class cabin seat has a regular AC power port of 110V. However, a power port is located between seats in the Economy Class. The Emirates A380 seat map can be used to determine which seats are the best and which should be avoided.

The A380 Emirates features a WiFi hotspot. With this internet connection, flights become more enjoyable. However, the internet connection comes with a cost that customers can pay through their credit cards.

Whether on board the Emirates A380 First Class, Business, or Economy Class, you are entitled to a complimentary meal and bar service.

Airbus A380 800 Emirates Seating

First class.

The Emirates First Class A380 comprises 14 suites with seat 1A, 1EF, and 1K occupying the front rows. These seats may be bothersome due to their closeness to the lavatory.

Seats 4A and 4K are also close to the lavatory and galley as well. As a result, they’re not the best.

The Emirates Business Class A380 is just behind the First Class cabin. The seats 6DG in the first row are not ideal due to their location — too close to the lavatory. However, they come with bassinets, ideal for passengers traveling with babies.

As the Emirates A380 Business Class seat map shows, the seats in the cabin are flat bed seats. Aside from the first row seats, other seats are standard Business Class seats with no noticeable disadvantage.

Premium Economy

The Premium Economy Class is behind the Emirates A380 Business Class and is a relatively new addition to the Airbus A380 800 Emirates seating. The cabin is in rows 33 to 40 on the plane’s lower deck. It has two window seats and four in the middle.

The window seats are the most suitable due to their extra legroom and view. Thanks to the bulkhead in front, the 33rd row has enough leg space that other seats lack.

In the Economy Class of the Airbus A380 800 Emirates seating, you can settle for the seats 43ABC and 43HJK. They have extra legroom and are ideal for passengers traveling with infants due to their bassinets. In the Economy Class section, the seats 52A,B, and C and 52HJK are similar to the 43ABC and 43HJK.

The seats 54DEFG are among the best in the Economy Class; they have extra legroom and are also ideal for travelers with babies due to their bassinets. They are similar to the 82DEFG in features.

The worst seats in this cabin are 88ABC and 88HJK due to their limited recline and closeness to the lavatories.

CABIN FEATURES

Emirates A380 Business Class

Our business class.

See what you can expect from Emirates Business Class on our A380.

BUSINESS CLASS

Get a full night's rest

A seat that seamlessly reclines into a fully flat bed with a soft, comfy mattress and a cosy blanket - hello sweet dreams!

BUSINESS CLASS

Arrive inspired

Remix business with pleasure in Business Class.

Make friends at 40,000 ft

Join the conversation in our new A380 Onboard Lounge. Network as you delve into delicious canapés.

Taste your way around the world

Choose from our menu of regionally inspired gourmet dishes and enjoy dining that takes you places.

Preorder your meal in Business Class

Plan ahead and order your main courses as early as 14 days and up to 24 hours before you fly. Browse the menu and select your dishes to guarantee your favourite meal.

Our meal preordering service is currently available in Business Class on selected routes, with more routes coming soon. Log in to Manage Your Booking to check if meal preordering is possible on your flight.

IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

Business Class in 3D

Extra comforts in business class.

There are a few take-home comforts to look forward to on your flight. Have a closer look at our luxury Bulgari fragrances and amenity kits that help you arrive feeling fresh, and find out more about our new loungewear and sleep kits coming soon to Business Class.

Explore our Business Class comfort items

Explore Business Class on our A380

Discover the Business Class experience on our A380. Explore our spacious Business Class seats and take a closer look at the dining experience and award-winning entertainment on board. You can also peek inside our exclusive A380 Onboard Lounge. Your journey starts with our complimentary chauffeur-driven transfers and Business Class airport lounge.

Enjoy a seamless journey

Airport lounges, business class benefits.

Chauffeur-drive

Airport lounge access

Inflight entertainment

Exclusive wine and cheese

Excellent service

Related pages

• Airbus A380-800 (388) 2 Class

Seat Map Emirates Airbus A380-800 (388) 2 Class

Airplane Airbus A380-800 (388) 2 Class Emirates with 2 classes and 615 seats on board. Use airplane seat map to find which ones are more comfortable and which should be avoided.

• Entertainment System
• AC Power outlets

Seating details

Loads of storage in the bins by the window. Upstairs got much better service as there were fewer passengers and it felt more private and exclusive. Would definitely choose this seat again.

Upper deck Economy class is in fact divided into two sections. There are doors behind 33A, 33K, which the seat map does not show

There was a lot of legroom. However, the legroom was obstructed as the wheel sticks out. The seat was also freezing cold ! My feet were ice ! There was a breeze from the exit door. Also beware , there was an infant right behind us in the bulkhead who was crying at night. Also, we had to Stowe the TV screen 45-50 minutes before landing. It was VERY noisy at night!! The flight attendants were talking all night by the galley and I could not sleep. This seat is a mixed blessing. Not sure I would pay extra for this seat

I paid quite a lot of money for this seat and was unfortunate to have a screaming child in front of me for the whole flight. Remember paying for "preferred" seating is not what it is cracked up to be. The storage by the window is very good and having a twin seat is great as there was just the two of us. But next time I would go few rows back so I could get maybe some sleep. The front row is always blocked out so you cannot buy it as they will always give it to people carrying babies as they are equipped with bassinets. Although this baby was too old and large to fit in this air cot. The proximity to the toilets is a bit of a pain particularly if you have long legs as your feet will get trodden on by other passengers and staff. Saying that the toilets were really great large and clean!

Any of these upper level economy AB or JK seats are perfect for couples. You have good space and they just feel more roomy.

Beware seat 80A and 80K in the two class layout A380 (whole lower deck Economy). This is an exit row seat but the emergency exit slide means it sticks out into the leg space, limiting room, particularly for tall travellers. I'm 6' 4" / 193cm and had to swap with 80H - though this is an aisle seat next to the galley so you often get bashed (same for 80C). Steward confirmed that 68A and 68K are the pick of the extra legroom economy seats on 2 class Emirates A380.

The area behind the seat is not carpet, but linoleum. The female stewards wear solid heel shoes, and as the staff keep walking around to the galley and passengers there is a periodic but consistent noise. Many passengers use the walkway behind the seats to stretch their legs, and talk, and the staff gathered by the staff seats to chat about their holidays too, making this a quite noisy seat. We would have been less interrupted in the middle of Economy, foregoing the space and access to toilets for a better sleeping experience

Overall not a bad seat, but a few things to add to the general comments. A and K seats are good to go for in the upper deck as you get some storage between your seat and the window. Secondly rows 34-39 were completely empty on my flight, I'm not sure for the reason for that, but it may be to do with my next point. The first exit door on the upper deck is between rows 33 and 34, not between economy and business class as shown on the chart. We disembarked from this door and on this flight economy passengers were held until the business passengers had disembarked.

This seat is on the upper floor.It is very convenient and it provides great legroom.Together with 33B are very cozy,because they are twin seats.

On the two class A-380 version Emirates use, the business class is located in the rear of the upper deck which means that you often get out last as most economy class passengers have to be let out first. So pay a premium and wait 15-20 minutes to get out after 450-500 people have already left the plane. Does not make any sense. Avoid the two class version if you are flying business

As families with very small children (babies) are placed in row 24A-K, you should avoid row 25-26-27-28 if you do not want to spend you trip among crying babies! Emirates does not state anything about "family" row 24 & 41 & 52 on their homepage.

+ lots of leg room + toilet far enough away to prevent people standing in your space +Still lots of room when basinett is fixed to the wall +2 large storage compartments next to window seat - no window

Excellent seat, well located with the 2 class configuration. A380 economy seats are adequate, even with a portly neighbour. ICE very good, excellent & friendly service throughout flight

For A380-800 two class The boarding gates for the upper deck is at the mid of the Economy rows - somewhere around row 32 or 33. So the Business class passenger have to go past the Economy passengers(and somehow they board earlier!). And during arrival, the Economy passenger go down before the Business passengers! This defeats the priority for the Business passengers.

Comfort seat, great cabin attendants. A++++

19G is next to the Bassinet, gives extra table space but is also next to the exit which is used by staff to keep mattresses etc. and chatter all night. There is no extra leg room.

Two abreast seating is a dream compared to three abreast in other 380 configs. Highly recommend if you can find it.

i had an experience of travelling in 380 to YYZ during 2010 n 2014.then last year sept-oct 2016 to JFK.It s awesome travel experience with the helpful cooperative cres n staff.As saying goes "Sky the is limit"i wish emirates limitless success.all the best.

Great place and food drinks

No window Close to lavatories Infant area - stay away if you want silence

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Economy Class & Beyond

Emirates expands its Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 refit programme

07/05/2024 by Kevincm Leave a Comment

The original plan called for 120 aircraft – 67 A380s and 53 777s to undergo full refurbishment. This is now expanded to an additional 43 A380s and 28 Boeing 777 aircraft

This brings the retrofit programme to 191 aircraft.

With the Boeing 777 fleet being the backbone of the Emirates experience and the A380 operating as its flagship – combined with further delays it seems that refit is the only way to go.

Emirates has retrofitted 22 A380 aircraft so far, and in July of this year, the first Boeing 777 will undergo an interior refresh.  Each Boeing 777 aircraft will take approximately two weeks to refurbish before entering service. Plans include the refurbishment of the First-Class cabin, all new Business Class seats making a debut on the aircraft in an updated 1-2-1 seating configuration, in addition to 24 of the latest Premium Economy seats.

Along with the addition of the Premium Economy cabin, the Emirates Boeing 777 will be configured with 332 seats in four classes, featuring eight First Class suites, 40 Business Class seats, and 260 Economy Class seats. To make room for the new Premium Economy cabin, 50 Economy seats will be removed, and replaced with 24 new seats.

Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline said :

“We’re topping up our multi-billion dollar investment in the retrofit programme to introduce cutting-edge cabin products on more of our A380s and Boeing 777s, demonstrating a clear commitment to elevating the customer experience with a best-in-class suite of products across every cabin. The addition of more aircraft  fitted with our newest generation seats, updated cabin finishings and a contemporary colour palette also marks a significant step in ensuring more customers can consistently experience our premium products across both aircraft types.”

Development and progress

Refurbishment work for the Emirates fleet is completely being managed and executed in-house at the airline’s Engineering Centre, with over 250 project personnel currently working round the clock, supported by 31 major partners and suppliers who have set up workshops both in the facility and offsite to deliver the refreshed cabins.

Once the last aircraft rolls out of the retrofit programme and the project is fully complete, the airline will have installed 8,104 next-generation Premium Economy seats, 1,894 refreshed First Class suites, 11,182 upgraded Business Class seats and 21,814 Economy Class seats.

Refurbished A380 aircraft fitted with Premium Economy operate flights to New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, London Heathrow, Sydney, Auckland, Christchurch, Melbourne, Singapore, Mumbai, Bangalore, Sao Paulo and Dubai. The airline will be boosting services with the new cabin to Osaka in early June.

As well as those, the airline will serve 42 cities with Premium Economy by February 2025 with the A350 entering its fleet in September of this year , in addition to the newly refurbished Boeing 777s also slated to begin serving more cities

Supply chains matter. As do delays

With the supply chain still tight, along with delays in some wide-body aircraft programmes (eg, the Boeing 777X), it seems Emirates is going to extend the life of more of its aircraft to bring a more uniform experience across the fleet, whilst expanding its cabin offerings further with Premium Economy rolling out further than initially planned.

Emirates is taking this opportunity to examine the business as well as see what aircraft are going to be kept in the fleet longer.

Clearly, with demand increasing, the airline is going to sweat the assets more, while deploying a new product to extend the passenger life to them.

Something to keep an eye out for as the refurbishment programme kicks into a higher gear, once the 777 refreshes start.

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Simple Flying

Emirates adds 43 airbus a380s & 28 boeing 777s to +$2 billion new cabin program.

Emirates will deliver over 42,000 new seats by the end of the program.

• Emirates will refurbish 71 Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, further enhancing the passenger experience.
• The refurbishment includes new cabin products, improved interiors, and new premium economy seats.
• With over 42,000 new seats across all cabins, Emirates' retrofit program aims to increase customer satisfaction.

Emirates has committed to completely refurbishing an additional 71 aircraft, including 43 Airbus A380s and 28 Boeing 777s . The announcement comes just over a year after the airline's first completely refurbished A380 entered service. This is part of the Dubai-based carrier's $2 billion retrofit program unveiled in 2022.

Enhancing the onboard passenger experience

Initially, Emirates planned to retrofit up to 120 aircraft with the latest interiors and various improvements across all cabins. Up to 67 A380s and 53 B777s were to undergo complete refurbishment. The 777 remains the backbone of the airline's fleet, while the A380 superjumbo is the flagship customer favorite . Enhancing the retrofit program ensures that the airline will continue offering customers an elevated travel experience. Speaking about the investment, Emirates President Sir Tim Clark said,

"We’re topping up our multi-billion dollar investment in the retrofit program to introduce cutting-edge cabin products on more of our A380s and Boeing 777s, demonstrating a clear commitment to elevating the customer experience with a best-in-class suite of products across every cabin."

"The addition of more aircraft fitted with our newest generation seats, updated cabin finishings, and a contemporary color palette also marks a significant step in ensuring more customers can consistently experience our premium products across both aircraft types."

So far, the airline has completely refurbished 22 A380s. The first retrofitted superjumbo, registration A6-EVM, entered service on the Dubai-London Heathrow route in January 2023 . It features Emirates' latest products and interiors across all cabins, including 56 premium economy seats on the main deck. First and business class seats on the upper deck feature the carrier's latest cream-colored leather upholstery and lighter-toned wood finishing.

Discover more aviation news about the passenger experience here.

Refurbishing the Triple Seven fleet

The first 777 will undergo refurbishment in July 2024. Each aircraft is expected to take approximately two weeks to retrofit before entering service. The airline plans to upgrade the first class cabin and debut all new business class seats in the updated 1-2-1 configuration. It will also add 24 premium economy seats, giving customers enhanced premium options.

Emirates' 777s will have 332 seats in four classes, including eight first class suites, 40 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 260 economy seats. The carrier will remove 50 seats in the economy cabin to make way for the new premium economy seats. Emirates debuted its premium cabin offering in 2022 , initially deploying it on high-traffic Airbus A380 routes.

5 Things That Make Premium Economy Worth The Cost Of Upgrading

The cabin retrofit program is completely managed and executed in-house at Emirates' Engineering Center. The airline has over 250 project personnel working non-stop to deliver the retrofitted cabins. They are supported by 31 major partners and suppliers who have set up workshops in the facility and offsite.

Delivering over 42,000 new seats

When Emirates rolls out the last aircraft and completes the retrofit program, it will have delivered 42,994 new seats across all cabins. This includes 21,814 economy class seats, 11,182 upgraded business class seats, 1,894 refreshed first class suites, and 8,104 next-generation seats in the new premium economy cabin.

According to ch-aviation , Emirates has 252 passenger aircraft in its fleet, comprising 119 A380s (93 active; 26 inactive) and 133 B777s (127 active; 6 inactive). The refurbished A380s featuring new premium economy seats are currently deployed on various routes from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to New York JFK, London Heathrow, Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, and São Paulo, to mention a few.

The airline expects to serve 42 cities with premium economy by February 2025, with the A350 set to debut this year, in addition to the refurbished 777s. Emirates' first Airbus A350 will enter service in September 2024, with ten A350s expected by the end of March 2025. On May 7, 2024, Emirates announced the first nine destinations to be served by the new widebodies. Bahrain International Airport (BAH) will receive the inaugural Emirates A350 flight.

What are your thoughts on this story? Are you looking forward to the new Emirates seats? Please let us know in the comments!