The first of Emirates’ newly refurbished Boeing 777s has returned to service and will depart on August 7, 2024 for a flight between Dubai (DXB) and Geneva (GVA).

The aircraft underwent a 37-day overhaul involving no fewer than 175 engineers and technicians, and the work was completed four days ahead of schedule.

This is the first aircraft of its type to receive Emirates’ new cabin interior as part of Project Phoenix, the airline’s $3 billion program to refresh and improve the passenger experience on board its long-haul fleet.

Emirates began the large-scale conversion project with its Airbus A380 fleet in November 2022. As of August 2024, several dozen A380s have already received new cabin equipment. Project Phoenix is ​​scheduled to run until the end of 2025.

It was originally planned to undergo a major cabin refurbishment on 120 aircraft (67 A380s and 53 B777s). However, in May 2024, it was announced that the programme would be expanded to 191 aircraft, with an additional 43 A380s and 28 Boeing 777s to be included in the refurbishment.

In addition to new seats and an updated color palette, Emirates’ new cabins feature two pretty significant innovations: a new Business Class layout with a 1-2-1 cabin configuration that gives all passengers direct aisle access, and a new Premium Economy Class.

Delays in the certification and entry into service of the new Boeing 777X aircraft, of which Emirates has ordered 205, have prompted the Emirates airline to consider extending the operating life of some of its oldest B777 aircraft.

Emirates CEO Tim Clark mentioned that the airline may ask the US aircraft manufacturer to cover the costs of retrofitting some B777 aircraft that will remain in the fleet longer than originally planned.

The next two destinations that Emirates will fly to with newly refurbished B777 aircraft are Tokyo Haneda (HND) and Brussels (BRU).