Emirates will introduce Boeing 777s with upgraded cabins to eight more destinations on its route network, as the airline’s retrofit programme continues to progress at an impressive pace, with an aircraft receiving its nose-to-tail facelift and rolling out into service every three weeks. The airline aims to serve 44 cities with its fleet of refurbished Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft by September 2025. Emirates is enhancing its Boeing 777 services with an elevated onboard experience across the following destinations:
- From 1 June 2025, all flights operating to/from Lisbon will offer upgraded Boeing 777 cabins which include EK 191/192 and EK 193/194.
- To Dublin, Emirates will debut its latest Business and Premium Economy cabins on EK 161/162, starting 25 June.
- Hong Kong, SAR will become the second Chinese destination to be served with the retrofitted Emirates Boeing 777 on EK 382/383 starting 15 July.
- Customers travelling to the Maldives will enjoy an enhanced onboard experience with refreshed interiors on EK 658/659 from 1 June; as well as EK 656/657 and EK 660/661 from 15 July.
- Emirates’ upgraded Boeing 777 will operate to Kolkata starting 10 August on EK 572/573 with four weekly flights (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday).
- Colombo is set to receive the Boeing 777 with refreshed interiors from 10 August on its daily EK 650/651 flights. The operation will complement the airline’s newly introduced A350 operations to Sri Lanka’s capital.
- Reaffirming South Africa’s strategic importance as a major gateway in its African operations, Emirates will be introducing Premium Economy and refreshed Business Class cabins for the first time to Johannesburg and Cape Town. Johannesburg is set to receive the Emirates Boeing 777 on its daily EK 765/766 from 1 September and EK 761/762 services from 25 September. Cape Town will be served with the airline’s latest interiors on its daily EK 770/771 from 20 September.
Additionally, London Stansted will receive its second daily service with refreshed Boeing 777 interiors on EK 067/068 from 1 June. Emirates has expanded its Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 fleet refurbishment programme to cover more than 220 aircraft, representing the aviation industry’s most ambitious retrofit undertaking—a US$5 billion investment dedicated to delivering the best products and exceptional customer experiences across its global network. The refurbished Emirates Boeing 777 features a four-class configuration, headlined by Emirates’ signature Premium Economy and thoughtfully designed Business Class cabins. Emirates’ Boeing 777 Business Class seats come in a 1-2-1 arrangement, offering privacy, aisle access and space to work, lounge and indulge in restorative rest.
Hong Kong Airlines launches new service to Hulunbuir
Hong Kong Airlines announced that a new flight route connecting Hong Kong and Hulunbuir of Inner Mongolia, is set to commence operations on 29 April. This new service aims to offer travellers from Hong Kong and nearby areas a convenient and efficient travel option to Hulunbuir, significantly enhancing their overall journey experience. The introduction of this route is expected to strengthen the links between Hong Kong and cities along the Belt and Road Initiative, while also fostering economic, cultural, and tourism collaborations between the two regions.
Hulunbuir, a key city in northeastern Inner Mongolia, serves as the gateway to the vast Hulunbuir Grassland and is a crucial juncture in the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor. Known for its breathtaking natural scenery and rich cultural heritage, Hulunbuir offers visitors the chance to explore the endless horizons of the Hulunbuir Grassland, enjoy the picturesque views along the Eerguna River, and immerse themselves in the unique customs of the Mongolian and Ewenki ethnic groups. Moreover, this new air route will facilitate smoother business exchanges between Hong Kong and Inner Mongolia, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, energy, and cultural tourism, thereby boosting bilateral trade and economic partnerships.
Cathay boosting Mainland China services
The Cathay Group has released enhanced schedule for Mainland China providing close to 300 return flights per week during the peak period. These increased flight frequencies not only strengthen Cathay’s direct services between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, but also cater for the growing two-way travel demand between the Chinese Mainland and the global market, offering customers a more efficient and flexible travel experience.
Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “We are delighted to be expanding our flight schedule in the Chinese Mainland this summer with services to 20 passenger destinations and increased frequencies on many of our popular routes. With our unique position of having deep roots in Hong Kong, being proudly part of China, and connecting the world, we are committed to providing a seamless travel experience for our customers whether they are flying to, from or via our home hub.”
With a focus on the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Yangtze River Delta regions, both major national strategic areas, Cathay continues to boost flight capacity and provide thoughtfully planned flight schedules to ensure frequent and convenient travel services throughout the day to Beijing and Shanghai. Meanwhile, the Group has also increased flight frequencies to other key Chinese Mainland cities to meet the significant demand for leisure and business travel.
- Beijing: Increasing to seven daily return flights to Beijing Capital International Airport, together with a daily flight to Beijing Daxing International Airport operated by HK Express, for a total of 56 return flights per week to Beijing’s two major international airports.
- Shanghai: Increasing to eight daily return flights to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, along with 11 return flights per week to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. In total, Cathay Pacific will operate 67 return flights per week between Hong Kong and Shanghai.
- Zhengzhou, Ningbo, Haikou, Chongqing: Each increasing from four return flights per week to daily flights, with HK Express also operating daily flights to Ningbo this summer, significantly enhancing flight frequencies between Hong Kong and these popular destinations.
- Other routes: Flights to Hangzhou are increasing to four return flights per day, flights to Nanjing are increasing to twice per day, flights to Wenzhou are increasing to 10 per week, and flights to Wuhan are increasing to 12 per week.
In addition, Cathay Pacific will be launching direct flights between Hong Kong and Urumqi from 28 April. Together with HK Express, the Cathay Group will operate close to 300 return flights per week between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland during the peak period this summer – nearly 40% more than in 2024 – reinforcing connectivity between Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the world while promoting economic and cultural exchange.
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