Emirates Begins Reintroducing Refurbished A380s Into Service

The first of 67 Airbus A380s to get Emirates’ extensive interior refit has returned to service.

The original aeroplane is once again flying the route from Dubai to London Heathrow.

According to Emirates, the plane has been “totally refurbished”, and its layout changed to accommodate more premium economy passengers. The aircraft now has 56 more seats in its main cabin.

According to Emirates president Tim Clark, “customers will sense the difference the instant they arrive on board” because of the new colour schemes on the walls and carpets.

“With our most recent interiors and products, this newly refurbished aircraft increases our in-flight experience across all travel classes.”

On the main deck of the A380, there will be 56 premium-economy seats. The next A380 upgrade will be finished by the end of January.

“Teams of engineers and technicians worked around the clock, disassembling the whole interior of the A380 and refitting the sections in a meticulously planned and tested process,” the airline adds.

Emirates says that as the programme progresses, it will upgrade two planes simultaneously.

Once all of the A380s scheduled for refurbishment have been back in service by 2024, the airline will go on to comparable work on 53 Boeing 777-300ERs, with the whole 120-jet overhaul expected to be completed in 2025.

Sixty-seven A380s will be refurbished as part of the project that covers 120 aircraft.