Emirates has announced a series of aircraft deployments and cabin upgrades across its global network, including the introduction of its next-generation Airbus A350 on services to Entebbe, Uganda, as part of a broader fleet modernisation programme aimed at delivering a more consistent and enhanced passenger experience.
From 29 March, flights EK729/730 between Dubai and Entebbe will be operated by the Emirates A350, marking the debut of the airline’s newest aircraft type in Uganda. The A350 features three cabin classes and accommodates 298 passengers, with 32 next-generation Business Class seats, 28 Premium Economy seats and 238 Economy Class seats designed with generous pitch and enhanced comfort.
The Entebbe deployment forms part of Emirates’ wider retrofit and fleet upgrade strategy. The airline is set to complete the refurbishment of its first high-density, two-class A380 by mid-April, reconfiguring the aircraft into a three-class layout with 76 Business Class seats, 56 Premium Economy seats and 437 Economy Class seats.
The upgraded A380 will operate flights EK903/904 between Dubai and Amman from 14 April to 31 May before being deployed to Prague on EK139/140 from 1 June. By November, Emirates expects to have retrofitted all 15 of its two-class A380 aircraft into the new three-class configuration.
Across Europe and North America, Emirates continues to expand Premium Economy availability. From 2 March, flights EK201/202 to New York JFK are being served by a four-class retrofitted A380 on select days, increasing to daily service from 1 June. Zurich began receiving a four-class A380 with Premium Economy on flights EK085/086 from 1 March, giving the airline more than 1,500 weekly Premium Economy seats on the route. Milan will see flights EK101/102 operated by a retrofitted three-class Boeing 777-200LR fitted with Premium Economy from 10 May, while Dublin will receive a similar aircraft on flights EK165/166 from 25 October, ensuring all 21 weekly flights to the Irish capital offer Premium Economy.
In Asia, Emirates will deploy a retrofitted three-class Boeing 777-200LR on flights EK392/393 to Ho Chi Minh City from 1 May, providing more than 600 weekly Premium Economy seats across double daily services. Hong Kong will see an upgrade from a Boeing 777-300ER to an A380 on flights EK382/383 from 1 October, transitioning to a retrofitted A380 with Premium Economy from 1 December. Guangzhou will also be upgraded from a Boeing 777-300ER to an A380 on flights EK362/363 starting 1 October.
In the Middle East, flights EK945/946 to Basra will be operated by a retrofitted four-class Boeing 777-300ER from 1 May, introducing Premium Economy across all five weekly services. Meanwhile, in the Indian Ocean region, Mauritius will receive a retrofitted three-class Boeing 777-200LR on flights EK709/710 from 29 March.
Through these deployments, Emirates continues to extend the reach of its Premium Economy product while enhancing consistency across its long-haul fleet. Tickets for all services can be booked via Emirates’ website, the Emirates App, retail stores and travel agents, with WeChat Pay also available online.
