Emirates to deploy upgraded Boeing 777s on all three Riyadh flights

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

Emirates has announced plans to introduce its newly upgraded Boeing 777s on two more daily flights between Dubai and Riyadh. The enhanced aircraft will start flying on the airline’s second daily service from 30 March 2025 and on its third daily service from 7 May 2025.

With this upgrade, Emirates wants to offer passengers more opportunities to experience its latest Business Class seats and its highly praised Premium Economy cabin. The airline aims to make traveling to Dubai and beyond more comfortable and stylish.

Once the new Boeing 777s are added, Riyadh will become the first city in the Middle East/GCC to be served exclusively by Emirates’ latest refurbished aircraft. It will also be one of the few destinations in the airline’s network to have this privilege.

The flight schedule with the upgraded Boeing 777s will roll out in phases. From 30 March 2025, Emirates will operate the refurbished aircraft on flights EK815 and EK816. From 7 May 2025, the airline will introduce the upgraded Boeing 777 on its third service, EK817 and EK818, starting with six flights per week. From 11 August 2025, this service will become daily.

Emirates first introduced its refurbished Boeing 777s on flights EK819 and EK820 to Riyadh in October 2024. The positive response from passengers encouraged the airline to expand this service further.

The upgraded Boeing 777s feature several improvements. The Premium Economy cabin has seats arranged in a 2-4-2 layout, offering more space and extra comfort. The Business Class cabin is designed in a 1-2-1 configuration, giving every passenger direct aisle access for added privacy and convenience. The aircraft also includes First Class suites with luxurious amenities and a refreshed Economy Class cabin for a better overall experience.

In November 2024, Emirates introduced Chauffeur-Drive Service (CDS) in Riyadh, offering First and Business Class passengers a premium, door-to-door travel experience. Riyadh is currently the only regional destination where Emirates offers this exclusive service.

Emirates operates 72 weekly flights to all four major gateways in Saudi Arabia, using a combination of Boeing 777s and A380s. Tickets for the newly upgraded flights can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or through travel agents both online and offline.