Emirates airlines announced on Thursday that it has kick-started its plans to upgrade the entire interior cabins of 120 Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, according to a recent press release received by Hespress EN.
The airline further stated that two of the largest commercial aircraft types are in service today, according to the same source.
“This ambitious project, representing a multi-billion dollar investment to ensure Emirates’ customers “fly better” for the coming years, officially commences in November and is managed entirely by Emirates’ Engineering team,” added the press release.
The goal is to completely retrofit four Emirates aircraft from start to finish every month for the next two years. After the 67 earmarked A380s are refreshed and returned to service, 53 777s will receive a facelift. When the project is completed in April 2025, nearly 4,000 brand new Premium Economy seats will be installed, 728 First Class suites will be refurbished, and over 5,000 Business Class seats will be upgraded to a new style and design, specified Emirates airline in its press release.
Carpets and stairs will also be upgraded, and cabin interior panels will be refreshed with new tones and design motifs, including the iconic ghaf trees native to the UAE, added the same source.
Last month, the airline began trials on an A380, with experienced engineers literally disassembling each cabin piece by piece and logging every step. Every action, from removing seats and paneling to bolts and screws, was tested, timed, and documented. Potential roadblocks to installing Emirates’ new Premium Economy Class or retrofitting the remaining three cabins in just 16 days were identified and documented for expert teams to review and address.
As part of the program, Emirates Engineering will establish new purpose-built workshops to repaint, re-trim, and re-upholster Business and Economy Class seats with new covers and cushions. First Class suites will be carefully disassembled and sent to a specialized company for leather, armrests, and other materials replacement, said the same source.
Additionally, engineers discovered several unexpected solutions as a result of the trials, such as how existing food catering trucks could be easily repurposed to transport parts destined for refurbishment from the aircraft to the workshop for refreshment, because these vehicles had doors of the appropriate width and space, added the airline’s press release.
A cross-disciplinary team has been assembled to regularly review the planning process, address any issues, and track updates on various aspects of the project such as procurement, staffing, and training until the retrofit program begins in earnest in November, said the same source.
Emirates’ new Premium Economy cabin class, which offers luxurious seats, more legroom, and service that rivals many airlines’ business offerings, is now available to customers flying on popular A380 routes to London, Paris, and Sydney, added the same source.
“As the retrofit program gains traction, more customers will be able to experience the airline’s new Premium Economy cabins beginning at the end of the year,” according to the same source.
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