Emirates Adds Retrofitted 777 with Premium Economy to This Continent for First Time

2 godzin temu

DUBAI- Emirates (EK), the world’s largest international airline, has deployed its first retrofitted Boeing 777 to Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT), introducing South Africa to its highly acclaimed Premium Economy cabin.

To mark the occasion, the airline hosted guided tours of the aircraft in both cities, highlighting its refreshed interiors and upgraded cabin designs to government representatives, aviation leaders, and tourism stakeholders.

Emirates Retrofitted its 777 to Africa

The deployment underscores Emirates’ long-standing commitment to South Africa, where it has operated for three decades.

Senior industry figures attended the launch, including Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro; Poppy Khoza, Director General of the South African Civil Aviation Authority; Rashid Alardha, Emirates’ Vice President Commercial Operations, Sub-Saharan Africa; and Afzal Parambil, Emirates’ Regional Manager for Southern Africa.

Commenting on the milestone, Afzal Parambil noted the airline’s dedication: “As we celebrate three decades of service to South Africa, our commitment to bring the latest and greatest to the market is unwavering.

Over the years, we have built strong relationships with our customers and are proud to have a very high percentage of repeat passengers, particularly on long-haul travel to the Far East and Europe.

The deployment of our refurbished Boeing 777, our first in Africa, will further elevate the experience for these passengers, with the introduction of Premium Economy and our new Business Class experience.”

Refreshed 4 Class Cabin Experience

The refurbished Boeing 777 features modern design elements, from new color palettes and Ghaf Tree motifs to wood finishes across all cabins.

The aircraft is configured with 260 Economy seats, 24 Premium Economy seats, 38 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, and eight private First Class Suites.

Economy Class: Redesigned with ocean blue interiors, high ceilings, and more space, offering generous legroom and new generation seats.
Premium Economy: Making its debut in South Africa, the cabin includes wide leather reclining seats with full leg and footrests, adjustable headrests, wood finished cocktail tables, charging ports, and 13.3 inch HD screens. Passengers receive pillows, blankets, amenity kits on select flights, and exclusive sparkling wine service with Chandon Vintage Brut 2017.
Business Class: Updated with champagne colored leather seats in a 1-2-1 setup for aisle access and privacy. The design mirrors Emirates’ newest A380 cabins, with cushioned headrests and fine stitching for added comfort.
First Class: Retains its reputation as a private “hotel in the sky,” enhanced with refreshed finishes that maintain Emirates’ standard of luxury and exclusivity.

Emirates’ Retrofit Programme

First launched in November 2022, Emirates’ USD $5 billion retrofit programme is one of the largest in commercial aviation. Covering 219 Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, it involves complete nose-to-tail upgrades.

The project is executed entirely by Emirates Engineering, where more than 270 engineers and technicians dedicate over 1,800 manhours daily to each aircraft. To date, 67 aircraft have been retrofitted, including 35 Boeing 777s and 32 A380s.

Upon completion, the programme will deliver: