Emirates Debuts Refurbished Boeing 777 with Premium Economy on South African Routes
- Emirates has marked a major milestone in its African operations by introducing its fully retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft to Cape Town and Johannesburg. These cities are the first in Africa to experience the airline’s new-generation cabins, including the much-anticipated Premium Economy Class. This launch highlights Emirates’ strong and ongoing commitment to the South African market, while significantly enhancing the travel experience for both regional and international passengers.
The retrofitted Boeing 777 features a refreshed four-class configuration, including 260 updated Economy seats, 24 Premium Economy seats, 38 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, and eight First Class Suites. The interiors have been completely redesigned with modern colour schemes, elegant wood finishes, and custom Ghaf Tree motifs that reflect Emirati heritage.
Business Class has been transformed with direct aisle access for every passenger, enhanced privacy, and new champagne leather seats, echoing the luxury found in Emirates’ flagship A380s. The Premium Economy cabin, a first for South Africa, offers wider seats, deeper recline, and elevated amenities filling the gap between Economy and Business Class for travellers seeking extra comfort on long-haul journeys.
This rollout is part of Emirates’ ambitious USD $5 billion retrofit programme, launched in November 2022. The programme is one of the largest of its kind in the aviation industry and targets a full upgrade of 219 aircraft (A380s and Boeing 777s). Managed entirely in-house by Emirates Engineering, over 270 engineers and technicians are involved, with each aircraft requiring more than 1,800 manhours to complete.
To date, 67 aircraft—32 A380s and 35 Boeing 777s have been retrofitted. Upon completion, the project will include the installation of 8,512 Premium Economy seats, 2,034 revamped First Class suites, 12,720 upgraded Business Class seats, and 68,364 refreshed Economy seats. This extensive investment is aimed at delivering a consistent, world-class onboard experience across the fleet.
By choosing to debut the retrofitted aircraft in Johannesburg and Cape Town, Emirates is reaffirming Africa’s strategic importance in its global network. The introduction of Premium Economy and cutting-edge cabin design is expected to attract a wider mix of passengers from business travellers to families while raising the standard for air travel across the continent.
As global demand for enhanced comfort and innovation in air travel grows, Emirates’ retrofit programme is likely to influence fleet upgrade strategies among other carriers operating in Africa. The initiative not only sets a new benchmark for the region but also signals the start of a new chapter in African aviation, with increased comfort, choice, and sophistication for passengers.
Source: Travel News. Africa | 22/09/2025
