Emirates rolls out retrofitted A380s to Manchester and Milan
Premium Economy offering reaches 5,000 weekly seats in and out of UK
DUBAI: Emirates is set to debut its latest retrofitted Airbus A380 aircraft in Manchester and Milan this summer, significantly expanding its Premium Economy service across Europe.
The upgraded aircraft will operate on routes EK017/018 to Manchester from 6 June and on EK091/092 to Milan from 1 July.
This deployment will increase Emirates’ Premium Economy capacity in the UK to nearly 5,000 weekly seats, marking a major step in the airline’s ongoing commitment to elevated in-flight experiences.
The move comes in addition to the four daily retrofitted A380s currently serving Dubai to London Heathrow, the A350 operating to Edinburgh, and a newly refurbished Boeing 777 scheduled to launch on the London Stansted route in May.
Expanded reach
Milan will become Emirates’ second Italian destination to feature the Premium Economy product, following the upcoming introduction of the A350 to Bologna later in June. These developments expand the network of Emirates’ upgraded A380s to 19 destinations globally, reinforcing its investment in premium cabin innovation.
The expanded service from Manchester and Milan will enable seamless travel to destinations across Asia and Australasia, including Sydney, Osaka, Singapore, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Passengers can now experience Emirates' newest four-class cabin experience throughout their journey from Europe to the Far East and beyond.
Premium experience
The Premium Economy cabin on Emirates’ A380 is positioned at the front of the main deck and features 56 seats arranged in a 2-4-2 layout. Each seat offers generous dimensions, enhanced recline, in-seat charging points, and a side cocktail table. Passengers also enjoy a premium dining experience with a curated menu, extensive beverage selection, and exclusive access to the Chandon Vintage Brut 2016—served only in Emirates’ Premium Economy.
Tickets for the upgraded routes are available via emirates.com, the Emirates App, official retail outlets, and through both online and offline travel agents. Aircraft deployment schedules may be advanced if refurbishments conclude ahead of time.