Emirates, the world's largest international airline, will introduce its newest aircraft type, the Airbus A350, on the Dubai-Nairobi route from October 25, 2026. The A350 will operate on flights EK717 and EK718, bringing Emirates' latest-generation cabin experience to customers traveling between Dubai and Nairobi. The aircraft features spacious, bright cabins, enhanced technology, connectivity, and the airline's signature hospitality across all three cabins.
The introduction of the A350 marks the first time Emirates' highly acclaimed Premium Economy cabin will be available to customers flying to and from Kenya. Christophe Leloup, Emirates Country Manager in Kenya, expressed excitement about the arrival of the A350 in Nairobi, citing more comfort, choice, and thoughtful touches in every cabin. The A350 accommodates 298 passengers in three spacious cabins – Business, Premium Economy, and Economy.
The Premium Economy cabin offers elevated comfort, comparable to a Business Class experience on many airlines. The cabin features leather reclining seats with a generous pitch, adjustable headrests, and more legroom. Customers can enjoy in-seat charging points, a wood-finished side cocktail table, a 13.3-inch TV screen, and complimentary amenity kits on select flights. Emirates' Premium Economy cabin is a significant upgrade for customers traveling to and from Kenya.
Business Class on the A350 is configured in a 1-2-1 layout, ensuring every passenger has direct aisle access and a spacious, private environment for both work and relaxation. The fully lie-flat seat is wrapped in soft cream leather and features a personal minibar and wireless charging for comfort and convenience. Economy Class features an all-new, airy color palette and upgraded ice inflight entertainment system on a 13.3-inch 4K adjustable touchscreen.
The deployment of the A350 follows a series of enhancements to Emirates' customer proposition in Kenya, including the introduction of a third daily flight between Dubai and Nairobi in July. With 21 flights per week, customers have greater flexibility and connections between Kenya and key markets across Europe and the US, via Dubai. Nairobi is also home to Africa's first Emirates World store, which opened in 2024.
Emirates has also introduced further flexibility for customers in Kenya through a partnership with Cellulant, launching a split-payment solution that allows travelers to combine multiple payment methods across 24-hour instalments when purchasing airfares. The airline continues to offer flexible booking policies for added peace of mind while traveling, including free unlimited date changes to Dubai and one complimentary date change to anywhere else in the world.
Emirates' partnership with the Kenya Tourism Board aims to drive inbound tourism and promote Kenya as a top tourism destination in Africa. The offer spans the extensive networks of both airlines and is available across all eligible cabins, including Emirates' increasingly popular Premium Economy experience. The introduction of the A350 and enhanced cabin experience is expected to further boost tourism and travel between Dubai and Nairobi.
Key points
- Emirates to launch Airbus A350 on Dubai-Nairobi route with next-generation cabin experience
- Introduction of Premium Economy cabin on Nairobi route
- Enhanced flexibility and booking policies for customers in Kenya
