Due to delays in the delivery of the new Boeing 777X and Airbus A350 aircraft, Emirates has been forced to modernize the cabins of its existing fleet, including its Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s.
Initially, the airline planned to refurbish 120 aircraft, a number later revised to 191. However, it has now been confirmed that a total of 220 aircraft will undergo renovations. The upgrades include refurbishments across First Class, Business Class, and Economy Class, along with the introduction of a new Premium Economy Class. All modifications are being carried out at the Emirates Engineering Center in Dubai.
Delays from both Boeing and Airbus
Emirates placed its order for the Boeing 777X years ago, but repeated issues have caused ongoing delays in delivery. Originally, the airline was set to receive its first aircraft in 2020. While Boeing now claims deliveries will begin in 2026, Emirates remains skeptical, predicting the earliest possible arrival in the second quarter of 2027, or even later in 2028.
Airbus has also faced delays in delivering the A350s to Emirates. While the airline has already received its first aircraft, further deliveries have been postponed due to supply chain issues at Airbus.
Increased costs
As a result of these delays, Emirates has had to invest significantly in refurbishing its current fleet, driving up costs. The airline increased its cabin renovation budget from $2 billion to $5 billion. ‘We had to take matters into our own hands. I saw these issues coming, so we made a decision—and thank God we did’, said Emirates CEO Tim Clark at a press conference in Berlin, attended by aeroTELEGRAPH.