Emirates announces 71-jet full-refurb program

This will include "more aircraft fitted with our newest generation seats, updated cabin finishings and a contemporary color palette ... to ensure more customers consistently experience our premium products across both aircraft types".

The first 777 will undergo refurbishment in July. The airline will upgrade the 777's first class cabin and debut all new business class seats in an updated 1-2-1 configuration. 

It also will add 24 premium economy seats, giving customers more 'premium options'.
In all, the B777s will have 332 seats in four classes, namely eight first class suites, 40 in business class, 24 premium economy and 260 seats in economy. 

50 seats in the economy cabin will go to make way for premium economy seats. 

The cabin retrofit program is being run in-house at Emirates' Engineering Center, where more than 250 Emirates project personnel are supported by 31 major partners and suppliers.

When the retrofit program is complete, it will have delivered 42,994 new seats across all cabins. This includes 21,814 economy class seats, 11,182 upgraded business class seats, 1,894 refreshed first class suites, and 8,104 next-generation seats in the new premium economy cabin.