Emirates to deploy retrofitted Boeing 777s with Premium Economy on Beirut and Beijing routes

Emirates has announced that retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft featuring Premium Economy will be deployed on select services between Dubai and Beirut, as well as Dubai and Beijing, starting in early 2026.

The move forms part of the airline’s wider rollout of its latest cabins and onboard products across its global network.

From January 6, 2026, Emirates will operate the upgraded Boeing 777 on flights EK953 and EK954 between Dubai and Beirut.

Services between Dubai and Beijing, operated as flights EK306 and EK307, will follow from February 1, 2026.

Emirates flights to Beirut and Beijing

With the launch, Beijing becomes the fourth city in the Chinese mainland to receive Emirates’ latest aircraft and next-generation products.

Travellers flying to and from Beirut will, for the first time, experience the airline’s award-winning Premium Economy cabin as well as its new Business Class in a 1-2-1 layout.

On the Beirut route, flight EK953 will depart Dubai at 3.40pm and arrive in Beirut at 5pm. The return service, EK954, will depart Beirut at 7.45pm and arrive in Dubai at 12.50am. The schedule offers seamless onward connections to cities with significant Lebanese diaspora communities, including Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, as well as New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Miami and Montreal.

For Beijing, flight EK306 will depart Dubai at 3.20am and arrive in the Chinese capital at 2.45pm. The return flight, EK307, will leave Beijing at 12.40am and land 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.

Retrofitted interiors

The refurbished four-class Emirates Boeing 777 features upgraded interiors throughout, with new design elements including modern colour palettes, Ghaf Tree motifs and wood finishes across all cabins.

Each aircraft is fitted with 260 latest-generation Economy Class seats, 24 Premium Economy seats, 40 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, and eight First Class Suites.

The airline’s Boeing 777 Business Class cabin has also been redesigned, with a 1-2-1 seat layout offering full aisle access, privacy and space to work, relax and rest.