DUBAI- Emirates Airline (EK) has revealed it scrapped the original Boeing 777X business class seats at a cost of about €20–30 million, citing the long delays in the aircraft’s development.
The Gulf carrier, based at Dubai International Airport (DXB), was originally set to take delivery of its first Boeing 777-9 in 2020. The airline now expects handovers to begin only in 2027, a seven-year delay that has forced a costly rethink of its cabin strategy.
Photo: Clément AlloingEmirates Aborts New 777X Business Class
Emirates’ President Sir Tim Clark confirmed with Executive Traveller that the airline abandoned the first-generation business class product designed for the Boeing 777-9.
In 2019, Clark personally toured the first test aircraft, which at the time was nearly ready but missing the signature “game-changer” first-class suites. Fast forward six years, and none of the 107 aircraft from the original 2013 contract have been delivered.
The extended wait gave competitors ample time to roll out advanced business-class cabins on newer aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, as well as retrofit Boeing 777s.
Airlines, including Air India (AI), American Airlines (AA), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific (CX), Etihad Airways (EY), Japan Airlines (JL), Malaysia Airlines (MH), Singapore Airlines (SQ), and the new Riyadh Air (RX), have all moved ahead with competitive products.
Faced with that reality, Emirates determined the original 777X seats would no longer be up to standard.
The airline scrapped them entirely, despite the €20–30 million loss. Clark admitted it was a difficult decision, but one that technology trends made unavoidable. From seat design to in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi, passenger expectations had shifted too far.
Photo: EmiratesA New Business Class Vision
Emirates has since committed to a fresh design for its 777-9 business class. The product is expected to feature enclosed suite-style seating, complete with high partitions and sliding doors to offer privacy.
Clark noted this concept builds on the airline’s earlier innovation with first class suites on its Airbus A340-500 fleet in the 1990s, which later inspired competitors to adopt similar designs in business class.
The preference for privacy in premium cabins has only grown stronger. Clark acknowledged that without enclosed suites, passengers may view the airline as falling behind. Emirates intends to ensure its business class aligns with what today’s business and premium travelers now consider essential.
Photo: EmiratesBoeing’s Role in Covering the Costs
While Emirates has already incurred millions in scrapping the first seat design, further changes could shift the financial burden to Boeing.
Clark stated that if new design updates are necessary due to the extended delays, Boeing may have to pay for them. He emphasized that Emirates had been ready to introduce the original product in 2023, but continued setbacks disrupted those plans.
Boeing’s seven-year delay has not only cost Emirates on the 777X program but also forced the airline into an expensive interim solution: upgrading its existing fleet.
Photo: EmiratesCostly Interim Upgrades to Existing Fleet
With no new 777-9 deliveries in sight, Emirates invested US$4.5 billion of its own funds to refurbish its current Boeing 777-300 and Airbus A380 aircraft.
One major change was the removal of the outdated 2-3-2 business class layout on its 777s. Clark admitted this configuration “long since should have been abandoned.”
The upgrades were necessary to protect Emirates’ brand reputation in the premium travel market. While other airlines introduced suite-style cabins, Emirates risked being perceived as lagging behind. The airline now considers its refreshed cabins a bridge until the delayed 777X finally joins the fleet in 2027.
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The post Emirates Cancels New $35 Million Boeing 777X Business Class Plan appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
