Emirates is giving its Airbus SE A380 jumbo jets a makeover

Unlike any other airline on the planet, Emirates made the Airbus SE A380 jumbo jet a cornerstone of its fleet. The Dubai carrier still operates more than 100 of the giant double-deckers, whereas rivals have either given up on the behemoth entirely or fly it only in small numbers. Airbus itself pulled production in 2019 after little more than a decade of slow sales. With no new planes available, Emirates is embarking on a massive US$2b refurbishment programme of the giant aircraft, seeking to extend their lifespan into the early 2040s. At a sprawling hangar near Dubai’s main airport recently, two A380s were being gutted and retrofitted with everything from new berths to fresh stairwells. Gone are the gold trimmings and wood panelling that dominated the first iteration, with Emirates opting for lighter tones, fresh carpeting and mood lighting, along with depictions of local nature motifs. The popular business class bar, where passengers can mingle during flight and enjoy a glass of whiskey, will stay. The cabin refresh alone accounts for half the investment, dubbed the Phoenix Project. For Emirates, the upgrade is more than just a routine touch-up common in airline fleets. For the world’s largest international carrier, the A380 represents its ambition to connect as many people as possible via its Dubai hub. Other aircraft in its stable are either too small to perform the same job, like the A350-900 coming next year, or – like the Boeing 777X – they’re years behind original delivery schedule, meaning Emirates must hold onto the A380s for longer than previously planned.<br/>