Emirates to revamp first class suites on Airbus A380, adapting Boeing 777X ‘Game Changer’
July 16, 2025
Emirates has announced a comprehensive upgrade of its iconic Airbus A380 first class product, adapting its “Game Changer” suite design for the double-deck flagship.
The floor-to-ceiling private suite was first designed for the Boeing 777X and introduced on a select few of the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
During the 2025 IATA Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates, confirmed the planned refresh of first-class cabins to preserve the relevance and luxury appeal of the A380.
The move comes amid ongoing demand for luxury travel, with competing airlines devising their own unique first class experience.
Boeing 777X ‘Game Changer’ adapted to the Superjumbo
The updated first-class suites will feature fully enclosed private cabins with floor-to-ceiling walls. It draws from the Emirates ‘Game Changer’ design for the Boeing 777X. First introduced in 2017, this product is installed on nine of the airline’s Boeing 777-300ERs.
These unique private suites feature a window view for passengers seated in the middle, facilitated by cameras on the aircraft that relay real-time images from the exterior to a window-shaped screen.
While the current ‘Game-Changer’ product consists of six individual seats in a three-across configuration, the new upper deck A380 version of these suites will accommodate couples in the middle, similar to Lufthansa’s Allegris first class.
Delays in Boeing 777X deliveries to Emirates, first planned for 2020 and now not expected until early 2027, have limited the availability of the ‘Game-Changer’ product. This first class will have been in service for a decade by the time the 777X is finally delivered.
Emirates plans a cabin-wide transformation for the A380
While the new first class suites headline the refresh, Emirates will also invest in improvements across the A380 cabin. Business class will feature suites with doors, offering passengers greater privacy and aligning Emirates with competitors in this class. This product is already in development for the upcoming Boeing 777X.
The A380’s central social space will also benefit from a refresh. A redesigned cocktail bar—styled like a luxury yacht’s lounge—will include an L-shaped sofa and enhanced soundproofing, offering a more refined space for premium travellers to mingle.
Updated lighting, carpets, and muted design tones will replace the A380’s older dark-wood-and-gold palette, introducing a lighter, more contemporary atmosphere across all cabins.
Even the A380’s famed shower suite will feature new hand-stencilled panels depicting UAE landscapes, adding an artisanal touch. Enhanced satellite-powered Wi-Fi will be available throughout the aircraft, free for Emirates Skywards members.
Other first-class upgrades on Emirates
In May of this year, Emirates announced more plans to enhance its first class experience, introducing lounge-inspired check-in areas in Dubai and improvements to onboard service.
First class customers can enjoy unlimited caviar in new Emirates engraved bowls, designed by Robert Welch. Emirates also updated its first class cheeseboard on a rustic slate, with bowls and a wooden honey dipper.
Emirates refurbished the first class check-in area in Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB), featuring a luxury lounge design.
Ensuring the Emirates A380 remains luxurious
As the world’s largest operator of the type, Emirates remains firmly committed to the A380 and to its high standards for luxury flying.
Competition is catching up. Qatar Airways announced plans for a new first class suite on the Boeing 777-9, inspired by private jet flying.
It is, therefore, timely for Emirates to ensure a greater availability of the ‘Game-Changer’ concept on its fleet. The move ensures the airline’s premium workhorse on high-demand long-haul routes stands out for its class.
