Emirates Airlines has announced the deployment of retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft to Johannesburg and Cape Town, marking a significant step for South Africa as the first African nation to receive these refreshed cabins.

Starting from September, travellers will have the opportunity to experience the airline's newest Business Class seats and the Premium Economy products, enhancing connectivity to Dubai and beyond.

The updated Boeing 777 services are set to launch on daily flights to Johannesburg, with aircraft on the EK 765/766 routes starting September 1, followed closely by the EK 761/762 services on September 25.

Cape Town will also benefit from this upgrade as Emirates deploys its new interiors on the daily EK 770/771 routes beginning September 20.

Emirates regional manager for Southern Africa, Afzal Parambil, said this expansion not only highlighted the importance of South Africa as a key African gateway but also represented Emirates' continued commitment to improving its passenger experience throughout the continent.

“We are delighted to enhance the Emirates experience in South Africa, with the introduction of the upgraded Boeing 777 to Johannesburg and Cape Town,” Parambil said.

“The entire aircraft has been refreshed from nose-to-tail, setting new benchmarks for premium in-flight experience with our signature Premium Economy and thoughtfully designed Business Class cabins. We look forward to welcoming travellers from South Africa onboard the retrofitted aircraft soon.”

The Boeing 777 aircraft has undergone extensive refurbishment, featuring new design elements throughout. Passengers can now enjoy modern colour palettes and Ghaf Tree motifs alongside wood finishes in all cabins.

The Premium Economy cabin is crafted to deliver quiet luxury, with cream-coloured leather, a wood panel finish, and the kind of comfort that travellers have come to expect from Emirates.

Each 19.5-inch seat comes with a footrest and generous recline, complemented by a 13.3-inch screen and charging points, making it an oasis of comfort in the air.

For those in Business Class, redesigned seating is arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, allowing for utmost privacy and aisle access—perfect for passengers who need to work, unwind, or rest during their journey.

All updated Boeing 777s will feature 24 Premium Economy seats and 256 Economy Class seats, ensuring a luxurious experience across all classes.

Emirates’ ambitious fleet refurbishment programme aims to cover over 220 aircraft, representing a significant $5 billion investment in bettering customer experiences across its global network.

Each month, one aircraft is getting its complete nose-to-tail facelift and entering service, reflecting the airline’s commitment to providing the best passenger experince. By September 2025, Emirates plans to have 44 cities served by its refurbished Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 fleet.

Beyond Johannesburg and Cape Town, Emirates is set to expand the retrofitted Boeing 777 network to several international destinations, including Lisbon, Dublin, Hong Kong, Male, Kolkata, and Colombo.

These routes will see upgraded cabins available to customers starting from June through August 2025.

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Emirates enhances South Africa routes with upgraded Boeing 777 aircraft