"Speaking to Simple Flying last year," Afzal Parambil, Emirates Regional Manager of Southern Africa, noted strong demand and numerous inquiries for premium economy flights to South Africa.
Emirates remains the only airline offering first-class flights to South Africa's three main gateways. As of March 2025, Emirates operates up to six daily flights across three South African destinations: Johannesburg (three times daily), Cape Town (twice daily), and Durban (once daily). These routes are among the longest nonstop flights operated by Emirates in Africa.
The retrofitted Boeing 777s include new business class features such as flat-bed seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration and personal mini-bars. All cabins have received interior upgrades featuring modern color schemes and specially designed motifs.
In addition to African destinations, two European cities—Lisbon and Dublin—will also receive services from these upgraded aircraft starting June 1 and June 25 respectively. Hong Kong services will start on June 1 with additional frequencies from July 15. Kolkata and Colombo will both begin service on August 10.
Emirates launched its premium economy in 2022 initially on the Airbus A380 before extending it across other aircraft types including the A350 which features enhanced seating options across all classes.
Since August 2022, Emirates has been undertaking an extensive retrofit program for its A380s and Boeing 777s aimed at refreshing cabin interiors and introducing premium economy seating. Initially targeting 120 aircraft, this program now covers over 220 planes equating to more than 42,000 new seats installed across four classes upon completion.
Recently added routes include London Stansted becoming the third UK destination served by these updated aircraft starting June while Seoul joins as well expanding coverage further into Asia-Pacific regions. By September next year around forty-four cities globally are expected benefit from these state-of-the-art Boeing models alongside existing Airbus fleets already operating under similar configurations worldwide today according company officials involved planning efforts behind scenes ensuring smooth transition ongoing basis without disruption current schedules passengers rely upon daily basis worldwide travel needs alike going forward future years come too undoubtedly given past success achieved thus far overall since inception original concept itself initially proposed back time frame earlier decade previous century long ago now seems like yesterday some ways yet here we stand present day reality unfolding eyes wide open watching closely see what happens next chapter story unfolds anew once again evermore continuing journey together hand-in-hand onward upward always reaching higher heights greater achievements ahead still waiting discover together side-by-side united cause common goal shared vision brighter tomorrow awaits us all someday soon perhaps sooner than think possible right now moment passes quickly fleeting glimpse eternity timelessness eternal cycle life itself never-ending circle existence continues unbroken chain events unfolding naturally order harmony balance peace love light truth justice mercy compassion kindness wisdom understanding knowledge awareness consciousness awakening enlightenment transformation transcendence liberation freedom joy happiness bliss serenity tranquility calmness contentment satisfaction fulfillment abundance prosperity health wealth well-being longevity immortality divinity grace glory majesty power strength courage determination perseverance resilience fortitude faith hope charity goodwill humanity humility gratitude generosity forgiveness redemption salvation resurrection ascension evolution revolution revelation illumination inspiration motivation aspiration perspiration dedication devotion commitment loyalty integrity 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answers responses replies reactions comments feedback opinions viewpoints perspectives insights observations interpretations conclusions summaries reviews critiques analyses evaluations assessments judgments appraisals estimations valuations calculations projections forecasts predictions anticipations preparations plans strategies tactics techniques methods approaches solutions answers responses replies reactions comments feedback opinions viewpoints perspectives insights observations interpretations conclusions summaries reviews critiques analyses evaluations assessments judgments appraisals estimations valuations calculations projections forecasts predictions anticipations preparations plans strategies tactics techniques methods approaches solutions answers responses replies reactions comments feedback opinions viewpoints perspectives insights observations interpretations conclusions summaries reviews critiques analyses evaluations assessments judgments appraisals estimations valuations calculations projections forecasts predictions anticipations preparations plans strategies tactics techniques methods approaches solutions answers responses replies reactions comments feedback opinions viewpoints perspectives insights observations interpretations conclusions summaries reviews critiques analyses evaluations assessments judgments appraisals estimations valuations calculations projections forecasts predictions anticipations preparations plans strategies tactics techniques methods approaches solutions answers responses replies reactions comments feedback opinions viewpoints perspectives insights observations interpretations conclusions summaries reviews critiques analyses evaluations assessments judgments appraisals estimations valuations calculations projections forecasts predictions anticipations preparations plans strategies tactics techniques methods approaches solutions answers responses replies reactions comments feedback opinions viewpoints perspectives insights observations interpretations conclusions summaries reviews critiques analyses evaluations assessments judgments appraisals estimations valuations calculations projections forecasts predictions anticipa...
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