Emirates Expands Retrofitted Boeing 777 Services to Beirut and Beijing With Premium Economy

Published on December 17, 2025

Emirates Airline has confirmed the introduction of its retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft on services to Beirut and Beijing, marking an expansion of its Premium Economy offering across two established international routes. The upgraded aircraft will begin operating between Dubai and Beirut from 6 January 2026, followed by deployment on the Dubai–Beijing route from 1 February 2026. The move reflects Emirates’ continued rollout of its refurbished widebody fleet on medium- and long-haul services that handle sustained passenger volumes, while also extending Premium Economy access to new markets within its network.

Retrofitted Boeing 777 Deployment on Beirut and Beijing Routes

The retrofitted Boeing 777 will operate on Emirates flight numbers EK953 and EK954 between Dubai and Beirut starting 6 January 2026. This deployment introduces Premium Economy seating to Beirut for the first time, alongside a redesigned Business Class cabin arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. The upgrade represents a change in onboard product standards on this route, which links Dubai with Lebanon’s primary international gateway.

On the Beijing route, Emirates will deploy the refurbished aircraft on flights EK306 and EK307 from 1 February 2026. With this addition, Beijing becomes the fourth mainland Chinese city to receive Emirates’ latest cabin products. The inclusion of the retrofitted Boeing 777 on this route expands the airline’s upgraded cabin footprint within mainland China, where demand for enhanced travel options on long-haul services continues to support product deployment.

The aircraft assigned to both routes features a four-class layout, comprising 260 Economy Class seats, 24 Premium Economy seats, 40 Business Class seats, and eight First Class Suites. The cabin interior has been redesigned with updated colour schemes, wood-finished elements, and Ghaf Tree-inspired motifs, forming part of Emirates’ broader refurbishment programme for its Boeing 777 fleet.

Cabin Configuration and Premium Economy Features

Premium Economy on the refurbished Boeing 777 is positioned between Economy and Business Class, offering a separate cabin with upgraded seating and amenities. The seats are wider and upholstered in leather, with enhanced recline, leg and footrests, and adjustable headrests. Each seat includes in-seat power charging, a wood-finished side table, and a 13.3-inch personal entertainment screen.

Passengers travelling in Premium Economy also receive larger pillows and blankets, as well as complimentary amenity kits on selected routes. Beverage service includes Chandon Vintage Brut 2017. These features are consistent across Emirates’ Premium Economy offering on retrofitted Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft, allowing a uniform onboard experience where upgraded aircraft are in operation.

Business Class on the refurbished Boeing 777 introduces a 1-2-1 seating layout, providing direct aisle access for all passengers. First Class Suites remain part of the four-class configuration, while Economy Class continues to make up the largest share of seating capacity on the aircraft.

Travel Demand and the Role of Enhanced Cabin Options

The introduction of upgraded aircraft on established international routes reflects broader patterns in long-haul travel, where cabin differentiation plays a role in passenger choice. Premium Economy has emerged as a distinct travel segment, positioned for passengers seeking additional comfort without the full Business Class product. The deployment of such cabins on routes with consistent traffic supports operational flexibility while catering to varied traveller preferences.

For tourists and long-haul travellers, the availability of enhanced seating options can influence itinerary planning, particularly on routes involving extended flight durations. The expansion of Premium Economy across different regions also supports continuity for passengers connecting through major hubs, where a consistent onboard product can be maintained across multiple flight sectors.

Connectivity and Passenger Experience Across Long-Haul Networks

Network connectivity remains a central factor in long-haul travel, especially for passengers moving between regions via hub airports. The scheduling of refurbished aircraft on specific routes enables travellers to align their journeys with upgraded cabin availability. Where onward services are operated by similarly retrofitted Boeing 777s or Airbus A380s, passengers are able to retain the same cabin class experience across their full itinerary.

This approach is particularly relevant for routes that support international travel flows across continents. Consistent cabin offerings across connecting flights can simplify travel planning and support seamless transitions between flight segments, especially for passengers undertaking long-distance journeys.

Flight Schedules and Route Timings

On the Dubai–Beirut route, flight EK953 is scheduled to depart Dubai at 15:40 and arrive in Beirut at 17:00. The return service, EK954, departs Beirut at 19:45 and arrives in Dubai at 00:50. These timings are structured to support onward connectivity through Dubai, including links to major international destinations served by Emirates’ widebody fleet.

For the Dubai–Beijing route, flight EK306 departs Dubai at 03:20 and arrives in Beijing at 14:45. The return flight, EK307, departs Beijing at 00:40 and arrives back in Dubai at 05:30. These schedules provide access to onward connections across Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Indian Ocean, and the Gulf region via Emirates’ Dubai hub.

Expansion of Premium Economy Across Key Markets

With the introduction of Premium Economy on the Beirut route and expanded availability in mainland China, Emirates continues to extend its refurbished fleet across markets that demonstrate steady passenger demand. The deployment strategy focuses on integrating upgraded aircraft into existing routes rather than launching new destinations, ensuring that service enhancements are aligned with current network operations.

As more retrofitted Boeing 777s enter service, additional routes are expected to receive the updated cabin products, further standardising the onboard experience across Emirates’ long-haul network. The additions at Beirut and Beijing represent incremental steps within this broader refurbishment programme.

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