Emirates Deploys A350 to Entebbe and Expands Premium Economy Network
The global aviation landscape is witnessing a significant enhancement in product consistency as Emirates accelerates its ambitious fleet retrofit programme. For travel professionals across sub-Saharan Africa, this development brings welcome news, particularly regarding regional connectivity and the quality of onward long-haul flights. The Dubai-based carrier has confirmed a comprehensive schedule of aircraft upgrades and deployments that will directly impact the African market and its key trading partners, reinforcing the airline's commitment to offering a superior passenger experience across all cabin classes.
One of the most notable updates for the African trade is the deployment of the state-of-the-art Airbus A350 aircraft on the route to Uganda. Starting from March 29, flights EK729 and EK730 serving Entebbe will be operated by this next-generation wide-body jet. The introduction of the A350 to the East African network is a strategic move, offering passengers reduced noise levels, improved cabin pressure, and the latest in-flight entertainment systems. This upgrade signals a shift towards modernizing the fleet serving key African capitals, ensuring that travelers from the continent enjoy the same high standards found on the carrier’s flagship routes.
In addition to the East African upgrade, the Indian Ocean region is set to benefit from significant cabin enhancements. Mauritius, a premier destination for both leisure and incentive travel, will welcome a retrofitted three-class Boeing 777-200LR on flights EK709 and EK710, also commencing on March 29. The critical addition here is the introduction of the highly sought-after Premium Economy cabin. This offers African travel consultants a lucrative upsell opportunity for clients who desire more comfort and space than Economy allows, but at a price point more accessible than Business Class. This is particularly relevant for the honeymoon and luxury leisure markets that frequent the island nation.
The airline’s retrofit programme is moving at an impressive pace at its Dubai hub. By mid-April, the carrier expects to finalize the upgrade of its first high-density, two-class Airbus A380. This engineering feat involves reconfiguring the aircraft into a spacious three-class layout. The new configuration will feature 76 Business Class seats, 56 Premium Economy seats, and 437 Economy Class seats. This specific aircraft is scheduled to initially serve the Middle Eastern and European networks, operating between Dubai and Amman from mid-April before transitioning to the Prague route in June. By November, the airline aims to have all 15 of these specific two-class A380s fully retrofitted, eliminating product inconsistency across the fleet.
For African travelers connecting through Dubai to the Americas and Europe, the passenger experience is being standardized. The ultra-popular route to New York JFK will see substantial capacity increases in the premium segment. From April 1, flights EK201 and EK202 will utilize a four-class retrofitted A380 on select days, moving to a daily service by June 1. This ensures that corporate clients traveling from Africa to the United States via Dubai can book Premium Economy with confidence, knowing the product is available on the entire journey.
Similar upgrades are being rolled out across key European business hubs. Zurich will see a capacity boost with over 1,500 weekly seats in Premium Economy becoming available from March 1, thanks to the deployment of a four-class A380. Meanwhile, Milan and Dublin are set to receive retrofitted Boeing 777-200LR aircraft later in the year. The Dublin upgrade is particularly significant; once completed in October, all 21 weekly flights to the Irish capital will feature the Premium Economy cabin, offering seamless consistency for travelers heading to this growing tech and business hub.
Connectivity to Asia, a vital trade corridor for African merchants and traders, is also receiving a boost. Ho Chi Minh City will see the introduction of the retrofitted Boeing 777-200LR from May 1, bringing Premium Economy to the double daily service. Furthermore, the route to Hong Kong is undergoing a phased upgrade, moving to an A380 service in October and eventually transitioning to a retrofitted aircraft with Premium Economy by December. These enhancements are crucial for business travelers who require rest and comfort during long-haul trips to the Far East.
Closer to the hub, the airline is strengthening its Middle Eastern offering. Flights to Basra will be operated by a retrofitted four-class Boeing 777-300ER starting in May, ensuring that Premium Economy is available on all five weekly flights. This broad deployment strategy underscores a clear message to the industry: the gap between Economy and Business Class is being permanently bridged across the network. For the African travel trade, these updates provide powerful selling points, allowing for better alignment of client expectations with the actual onboard product, ensuring a smoother and more comfortable journey from departure to final destination.
