Emirates has announced that Colombo will be among the next eight global destinations to welcome its newly refurbished Boeing 777 aircraft, as the airline’s ambitious cabin retrofit program continues to gain momentum. The enhanced aircraft will operate on the daily EK 650/651 services to and from Sri Lanka’s commercial capital starting 10 August 2025. This development will complement the airline’s newly introduced Airbus A350 operations to Colombo, offering passengers an elevated onboard experience and more travel choices. Emirates’ retrofit program, one of the most extensive in the aviation industry, is part of a $5 billion investment covering over 220 aircraft. Every three weeks, a fully upgraded aircraft is being rolled out into service, underlining the airline’s commitment to providing world-class comfort and innovation across its fleet.
The refurbished Boeing 777 features a four-class configuration, including Emirates’ signature Premium Economy cabin and a newly designed Business Class in a 1-2-1 layout, offering greater privacy, direct aisle access, and a luxurious space to relax or work. The aircraft will be equipped with 24 Premium Economy seats and 260 Economy Class seats, all designed to enhance passenger comfort through modern aesthetics and superior ergonomics. By September 2025, Emirates plans to serve 44 cities with its refurbished Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft, as part of its mission to raise the bar in global aviation standards.
In addition to Colombo, other destinations included in the rollout of the upgraded Boeing 777s are Lisbon from 1 June, Dublin with new Business and Premium Economy cabins from 25 June, Hong Kong from 15 July, and the Maldives from 1 June and 15 July on select services. Emirates will also commence four weekly retrofitted Boeing 777 flights to Kolkata starting 10 August. Premium Economy and upgraded Business Class cabins will be introduced to Johannesburg from 1 September and to Cape Town from 20 September. Furthermore, London Stansted will receive its second daily flight featuring the refurbished Boeing 777 interiors starting 1 June. These upgrades reflect Emirates’ continued investment in delivering exceptional in-flight experiences across its global network
