Emirates will introduce its retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft with Premium Economy on services to Beirut and Beijing in early 2026, expanding access to its latest cabin products across the Middle East and Asia.
From 6 January 2026, the upgraded aircraft will operate flights EK953 and EK954 between Dubai and Beirut. This marks the first time travellers on the route will experience Emirates’ Premium Economy cabin alongside the airline’s newly redesigned Business Class in a 1-2-1 layout.
EK953 will depart Dubai at 15:40 and arrive in Beirut at 17:00, with the return flight EK954 leaving Beirut at 19:45 and landing in Dubai at 00:50. The schedule is designed to support seamless connections to cities with large Lebanese diaspora communities, including Sydney, Melbourne, New York, Los Angeles, Montreal, and several others.
Beijing will follow on 1 February 2026, becoming the fourth city in mainland China to receive Emirates’ next-generation aircraft. Flight EK306 will depart Dubai at 03:20 and arrive in Beijing at 14:45, while EK307 will depart Beijing at 00:40 and arrive back in Dubai at 05:30. From Beijing, travellers will be able to connect onward to destinations across Emirates’ global network with a consistent Premium Economy experience.
The refurbished four-class Boeing 777 features upgraded interiors across all cabins, including 24 Premium Economy seats, 40 Business Class seats, eight First Class suites, and 260 Economy seats. Premium Economy offers spacious seating, enhanced comfort, and premium dining touches, while the redesigned Business Class provides full aisle access and increased privacy.
Bookings are available through emirates.com, the Emirates App, contact centres, and travel agents.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
