Emirates, one of the world’s leading airlines, is taking a major step to enhance the travel experience for its passengers by expanding its Premium Economy and Business Class offerings. This expansion includes the deployment of the airline’s next-generation Airbus A350, as well as retrofitted Airbus A380s and Boeing 777 aircraft, all fitted with the highly popular Premium Economy cabins.

The airline is focusing on four key cities across the Middle East and West Asia: Amman, Mumbai, Muscat, and Bahrain. This move will allow more travelers to enjoy Emirates’ signature onboard products and experience a consistent premium service when connecting through Dubai to other destinations served by the airline’s advanced aircraft.

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Upgraded Aircraft for Premium Travel

Emirates’ expansion means that passengers flying to or from the selected cities will have access to state-of-the-art cabins across its fleet. The airline is upgrading its fleet as part of one of the largest aircraft retrofit programs in aviation history.

The upgraded aircraft include:

• Airbus A380 – The iconic double-decker aircraft is now being retrofitted with refreshed interiors, including Premium Economy.

• Boeing 777 – Emirates’ retrofitted 777s feature enhanced Business Class and Premium Economy cabins.

• Airbus A350 – The newest addition to the Emirates fleet, the A350, provides the latest in passenger comfort, advanced technology, and a modern cabin layout.

Emirates’ Schedule for Upgraded Aircraft

Emirates has announced specific deployment schedules for the upgraded aircraft to the four cities:

• Amman: From 26 October 2025, EK903/904 flights to and from Amman will operate with a four-class A380 featuring refreshed interiors, including Premium Economy. Passengers will now have the chance to enjoy Emirates’ latest signature products on both daily flights.

• Mumbai: Starting 26 October 2025, the EK504/505 flights to Mumbai will be operated by a retrofitted Boeing 777. This means travelers can experience the airline’s modern cabins on 22 weekly flights to this important Indian city.

• Muscat: Beginning 30 October 2025, all nine weekly flights to Muscat, including EK862/863 services on Thursday and Saturday, will operate with the Airbus A350. Passengers will now have access to the latest A350 experience, which combines comfort, style, and technology.

• Bahrain: Emirates will add an extra retrofitted Boeing 777 to the EK833/834 service every Thursday from 4 December 2025. Once deployed, all flights to Bahrain will feature aircraft with Premium Economy and refreshed Business Class, giving passengers a fully upgraded travel experience.

Expanding Premium Economy Seats

With these deployments, Emirates significantly boosts its Premium Economy offering. The airline now provides Premium Economy seats on more than 635 weekly flights across its network. By the winter of 2025, Emirates will serve 68 cities with aircraft featuring its Premium Economy product, and 36 of these cities will have flights exclusively with these upgraded cabins.

This growth comes as demand for premium travel continues to rise globally. Emirates is strategically scaling up its Premium Economy footprint to meet the needs of travelers looking for more comfort and luxury. By the end of 2025, Emirates expects to offer over 2 million Premium Economy seats across its network. Currently, the airline operates 1.8 million Premium Economy seats, so this expansion represents a significant increase in capacity for premium travelers.

The Aircraft Retrofit Program

Emirates’ retrofit program is one of the most ambitious in the history of aviation. The program involves upgrading a combination of 110 Airbus A380s and 109 Boeing 777s, with the goal of transforming 219 aircraft to include Premium Economy and refreshed Business Class cabins.

The airline is completing these upgrades at an impressive pace, finishing one aircraft approximately every three weeks. So far, 67 aircraft have already been refurbished. In addition, Emirates currently operates 9 A350s that serve 15 destinations, providing passengers with an entirely modern travel experience.

These retrofits not only enhance the passenger experience but also bring a uniformity to Emirates’ fleet. Travelers can now expect a consistent level of comfort, luxury, and service across a wider range of aircraft, regardless of whether they are flying on the A380, 777, or A350.

Passenger Experience in Premium Economy

Emirates’ Premium Economy cabin is designed to bridge the gap between Economy and Business Class. Key features of the cabin include:

• Wider and more comfortable seats with extra legroom.

• A larger personal entertainment screen with high-definition displays.

• Upgraded dining experiences and service standards.

• Dedicated check-in and baggage handling for a smoother airport experience.

The Business Class cabins on retrofitted aircraft also feature enhanced seats, updated interiors, and the airline’s signature in-flight service, ensuring a luxury experience from start to finish.

Strategic Importance for Emirates

This expansion is part of Emirates’ broader strategy to strengthen its presence in the Middle East and West Asia, connecting major business and leisure hubs with its global network through Dubai. By offering more Premium Economy seats, the airline can cater to travelers who seek comfort at a slightly lower price point than Business Class but still enjoy luxury amenities.

The rollout of upgraded aircraft to cities like Amman, Mumbai, Muscat, and Bahrain also aligns with Emirates’ mission to provide consistent and high-quality service across all its destinations. Passengers traveling to these cities can now enjoy a seamless connection through Dubai, with access to the airline’s latest onboard products.

Emirates’ expansion of Premium Economy and the deployment of retrofitted aircraft to key cities marks a significant step in the airline’s efforts to enhance passenger experience. By the end of 2025, Emirates will not only offer over 2 million Premium Economy seats but also provide a consistent, high-quality travel experience across its fleet of A380s, 777s, and A350s.

For travelers to Amman, Mumbai, Muscat, and Bahrain, this means a more comfortable and enjoyable journey with wider seats, upgraded cabins, and premium service, whether flying for business or leisure. Emirates’ ambitious retrofit program and strategic fleet deployment ensure that passengers can look forward to a modern and luxurious flying experience on more flights than ever before.