What to expect from Emirates’ Boeing 777X

Emirates’ first Boeing 777-9 is still at least two years away – airline president Sir Tim Clark now expects he won’t pick up the keys until the middle of 2026 – but the Gulf colossus is already spec'ing out the massive twin-engine jet from tip to tail.

Up front will be a first class cabin, of course. The primo private suites are an integral part of the Emirates fleet, and bolster the airline’s appeal to deep-pocketed passengers who demand first class for the entirety of their trip rather than just one leg into or out of Dubai.

An earlier version of this article cited another publication’s report from a media briefing at the recent IATA conference in Dubai that Emirates Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim stated there would be 14 first class suites on the 777X; Emirates has since advised the initial report misquoted Kazim and was in error, and this article has been updated to reflect this.

Airline chief Clark has previously suggested the 777X jetliners would feature an updated version of the ‘game-changer’ first class suite created for the Boeing 777-300ER.

Already a benchmark in luxury, that five-star suite – which draws its design inspiration from the Mercedes-Benz S Class - is framed by floor-to-ceiling walls for full privacy.

Emirates' current Boeing 777 first class suite.

Cosseted in this elegant cocoon, travellers can adjust their own in-suite ‘micro-climate’ and LED lighting while settling onto a “zero-gravity” seat which evenly distributes weight and stress across the leather-clad lounger.

Emirates has not yet revealed its plans for the 777X business class cabin.

However, we know there’s an all-new Emirates “next generation” business class seat in a 1-2-1 layout on the way for both the factory-fresh Emirates Airbus A350 jets and the refurbished Boeing 777s, which are finally ditching the dreaded middle seat in business class, so that every passenger enjoys direct aisle access.

Of course, premium economy and economy class cabins will follow.

Emirates is Boeing’s biggest buyer for the troubled and much-delayed 777X project, and its prestigious launch customer, with over 200 jets on order, split between the ‘hero’ 777-9 and the smaller but longer-range 777-8.

Also read: Five tips for an Emirates Skywards status match