The Boeing 777-200LR just got better. After brainstorming and consultations, Emirates Airlines reconfigured the plane in a span of 35 days.
“A decision has been made to convert this aircraft from 3 class to 2 class with the first class being removed. In the meantime, we are installing the latest and the greatest of business class seating.” Said Mahmood Ameen, Senior Vice President of Engineering Projects and Procurement
The plane now comes with 2-2-2 business class layout with wider seats, higher ceilings and an upgrade of the economy class furnishings.
The maintenance team started by removing all the huge fixtures while ensuring the regulatory, safety, and maintenance requirements.
Mohammed Jaffar Nasser, Senior Vice President of the Engineering Maintenance, talked through the changes in the aircraft.
“We have a production plan… We plan ahead as much as a year. So, it’s a very detailed plan process.” He said.
Emirates Airlines released a sneak peek of the process on Facebook on Saturday and was already viewed 270 thousand times. The time-lapse video has the crew revamping the interiors, installing a new lighting system, and unboxing the upholstered seats.
Ameen believes that the refurbishment is quite ambitious, noting that the project included 30 suppliers and the procurement of 2,700 new parts.
“The size and scale of the project is quite significant. It involved multiple partners. We have Boeing, Jamco, seat supplier like Rockwell Collins. It is a relatively complex program,” he added.
Ten Boeing 777-200LR are underway reconfiguration. The whole project costs about $150 million and was executed by the in-house engineering of Emirates Dubai.
