Emirates to Deploy Retrofitted Boeing 777s With Premium Economy on Beirut and Beijing Routes

Emirates has announced that it will deploy retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft featuring Premium Economy on select services between Dubai and Beirut and Dubai and Beijing starting in early 2026, as part of the airline’s ongoing rollout of its latest cabin products across its global network.

From January 6, 2026, the upgraded Boeing 777 will operate on flights EK953 and EK954 between Dubai and Beirut. Services on the Dubai–Beijing route will follow from February 1, 2026, operated as flights EK306 and EK307.

With the introduction of the refurbished aircraft, Beijing becomes the fourth city in mainland China to receive Emirates’ next-generation cabins and onboard products. Travellers flying to and from Beirut will, for the first time, be able to experience the airline’s award-winning Premium Economy cabin, alongside its redesigned Business Class featuring a 1-2-1 seat layout.

On the Beirut route, flight EK953 will depart Dubai at 3:40pm and arrive in Beirut at 5:00pm, while the return service EK954 will leave Beirut at 7:45pm and arrive in Dubai at 12:50am. The schedule offers convenient onward connections to destinations with large Lebanese diaspora communities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Miami and Montreal.

For Beijing, flight EK306 will depart Dubai at 3:20am and arrive at 2:45pm, with the return flight EK307 leaving Beijing at 12:40am and landing in Dubai at 5:30am. Passengers travelling from Beijing will be able to connect seamlessly in Premium Economy to destinations across Emirates’ global network, including London Heathrow, New York JFK, São Paulo, Johannesburg, Madrid, Malé and Lisbon, as well as regional cities such as Kuwait, Riyadh and Amman.

The refurbished four-class Emirates Boeing 777 features upgraded interiors throughout, incorporating modern colour palettes, Ghaf Tree motifs and refined wood finishes across all cabins. Each aircraft is equipped with 260 Economy Class seats, 24 Premium Economy seats, 40 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, and eight First Class Suites.

Emirates’ redesigned Boeing 777 Business Class cabin offers full aisle access, enhanced privacy and improved space to work, relax and rest, reflecting the airline’s continued investment in elevating the passenger experience across its long-haul fleet.