Emirates Monday 7 July ,unveiled its newly retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft (A6-ENS Boeing 777-31H(ER) msn 41365) on the Dublin–Dubai route, offering Irish passengers an upgraded experience as they connect via Dubai International (DXB) to over 140 destinations worldwide.

Emirates  is now the only carrier to operate a four-class offering from Dublin. To mark the occasion, Emirates welcomed guests to Dublin Airport for an exclusive tour of the upgraded aircraft, featuring Emirates’ new Premium Economy cabin, a refreshed Business Class, and enhanced interiors across all cabins.

daa CEO Kenny Jacobs said “The introduction by Emirates of one of its retrofitted Boeing 777s on the Dublin -Dubai route is great news for passengers. Emirates has been a valued partner of the airport since 2012, and this upgrade underscores its ongoing commitment to delivering a world-class experience for passengers. The addition of Premium Economy and updated Business Class further strengthens long-haul connectivity from Dublin, offering travellers even more comfort on their journeys via Dubai to the world.”

Emirates Country Manager Ireland Anita Thomas, said “There’s strong and growing demand from Irish passengers looking for elevated travel experiences, and our new Premium Economy cabin has been extremely well received. It bridges the gap between Economy and Business Class with a level of comfort and value that appeals to both our leisure and corporate passengers. The introduction of our retrofitted aircraft on the Dublin route, alongside our global network via Dubai, marks a significant enhancement in comfort and choice for travellers.”

Passengers flying on Emirates flights EK161 and EK162 can now experience the airline’s latest cabin designs, with 24 Premium Economy seats offering greater recline, more legroom, and elevated in-flight dining, all positioned at the front of the main deck.

Business Class now features direct aisle access for every passenger in a 1-2-1 configuration, while Emirates’ signature First Class suites and refreshed Economy cabins complete the elevated four-class experience. Double daily flights (EK161/2 & EK163/4) from Dublin will feature the full four-class configuration, including Premium Economy, by the end of 2025.

Emirates since launching its refurbishment programme in November 2022, has upgraded the interiors of 60 Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, now serving 38 destinations. The airline plans to refurbish the entire cabins of 219 aircraft – 110 A380s and 109 Boeing 777s. As the programme speeds up, Emirates is set to become a leader in Premium Economy capacity, with over 2 million seats available annually by the end of 2025 across 70+ cities, doubling to 4 million seats by 2026.

Image Credit: Emirates/Sherry Communications #media invite

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 11 July 2025 All Rights Reserved