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carefully planned and tested sequence. In the and mapped out. During the trials, Emirates Engineers discovered
end, what was expected to be an 18-month several unexpected solutions during the trials, one of them being
retrofit programme was delivered in less than that the airline’s existing food catering trucks could be easily
12 months from signature to delivery. This repurposed to move parts destined for refurbishment from the
included the qualification of new suppliers, aircraft to the workshop for their refresh, as these vehicles had
while successfully overcoming supply chain doors of the right width and offer sufficient space.
disruptions due to the COVID pandemic.
As part of the programme, Emirates Engineering has setup new
In addition to providing all the Services purpose-built workshops to repaint, re-trim and re-upholster
Bulletins (including engineering drawings) Business and Economy Class seats with new covers and cush-
and kits to install 56 additional Premium ioning. The First Class suites will be carefully disassembled and
Economy seats in the main deck of the A380, sent to a specialist at Dubai World Central (DWC) to replace the
in a 2-4-2 configuration similar to the latest leather, arm rests and other materials. All carpets and floor-
A380s delivered; Airbus supplied the kits ings throughout the aircraft cabins will be replaced before the
required to install a new SATCOM antenna on refurbished seats are re-installed. Emirates has stated that all
the aircraft. This will allow passengers on the 67 A380s earmarked for the retrofit programme will be back in
upgraded aircraft to gain access to enhanced service by May 2024, while the retrofit of the 53 B777s will be
inflight entertainment and connectivity. The completed by March 2025.
combination of modifications for the retrofit
project, were approved through both Airbus
Type Certification and Supplemental Type
Certification.

Ambitious Undertaking
Emirates is targeting to achieve the complete
retrofit of four aircraft from start to finish
every month. This pace will be maintained
for two years, till the cabin retrofit effort is
completed. The airline’s engineers will simulta-
neously work on two aircraft at a time, a rate
at which will Emirates will withdraw one air-
craft from service every eight days. Emirates
will start the work on its B777 fleet only once
the 67 A380s are refreshed and back in ser-
vice. For the B777s, five rows of Economy class
seats located just behind Business Class will
be removed to install 24 Premium Economy
seats laid out in 2-4-2 configuration.

Emirates began trials on an A380 in July 2022,
when experienced engineers took apart each
cabin piece-by-piece and logged every step.
From removing seats and panelling to bolts
and screws, every action was tested, timed

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