Emirates Brings Airbus A350 to Nairobi, Debuting Premium Economy on Dubai Route
From 25 October, the Dubai-Nairobi route will feature Emirates’ latest widebody aircraft, introducing its acclaimed Premium Economy cabin to Kenyan travelers for the first time, alongside enhanced Business and Economy offerings.
Nairobi, Kenya – Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is set to upgrade its Nairobi operations with the introduction of its newest aircraft type, the Airbus A350. Starting 25 October 2026, the A350 will operate flights EK717 and EK718 between Dubai and Nairobi, bringing a new generation of cabin comfort and technology to the route.
The rollout marks a significant milestone for the carrier in Kenya: it is the first time Emirates’ highly acclaimed Premium Economy cabin will be available to customers flying to and from the country, complementing the airline’s enhanced Business and Economy offerings.
A New Chapter for Emirates in Kenya
Christophe Leloup, Emirates Country Manager in Kenya, framed the deployment as a turning point for the airline’s local presence.
“The arrival of the A350 in Nairobi marks an exciting new chapter for Emirates in Kenya,” Leloup said. “We’re delighted to bring our latest aircraft and onboard experience to our customers in market, with more comfort, choice and thoughtful touches in every cabin. Combined with our growing flight schedule, the A350 gives customers travelling on the Dubai-Nairobi route something new to discover, while building on the experience they know and love from Emirates.”
What Passengers Can Expect
The A350, the newest addition to Emirates’ all-widebody fleet, accommodates 298 passengers across three cabins designed around space, light and connectivity.
Premium Economy. Making its Kenyan debut, the cabin offers what the airline describes as comfort comparable to Business Class on many carriers. Leather reclining seats feature a generous pitch, adjustable headrests and additional legroom, alongside in-seat charging, a wood-finished side cocktail table, and a 13.3-inch TV screen. On select routes including Dubai-Nairobi, passengers receive complimentary amenity kits and access to Chandon Vintage Brut 2017, a sparkling wine exclusive to the cabin globally.
Business Class. Configured in a 1-2-1 layout, every seat has direct aisle access within a private environment suited to both work and rest. Fully lie-flat seats are wrapped in soft cream leather and include a personal minibar and wireless charging, while a snack display area at the rear of the cabin lets passengers help themselves to refreshments throughout the flight.
Economy Class. An airy new palette of sky blue, bronze and cream with lighter-toned wood finishings introduces the cabin. Each seat carries the upgraded ice inflight entertainment system on a 13.3-inch 4K adjustable touchscreen, with generous seat pitch and leather headrests.
Building on Momentum in the Market
The A350 deployment follows a series of enhancements to Emirates’ proposition in Kenya. In July, the airline introduced a third daily Dubai-Nairobi flight, taking capacity to 21 weekly departures and expanding connections to Europe and the US via Dubai.
Nairobi is also home to Africa’s first Emirates World store, opened in 2024, offering an immersive way to explore the airline’s products with personalised service. Earlier this year, Emirates partnered with Cellulant to launch a split-payment solution allowing travellers to combine multiple payment methods across 24-hour instalments when purchasing fares.
Booking and Flexibility
Tickets are on sale now via emirates.com, the Emirates App, online and offline travel agents, and the Emirates World Store in Nairobi. Every ticket booked after 10 August 2026 includes free unlimited date changes to Dubai and one complimentary date change elsewhere worldwide, plus significantly reduced refund fees across all cabins and fare types.
