Huge News: Emirates IS Retrofitting Some 777s with GameChanger First Class

I recently helped a friend book some Emirates flights, and just a few days ago, he messaged me mid-journey with a surprising update: “This plane from Boston is brand new!” To be clear, he was flying the updated Business Class seats not GameChanger First Class.

I asked him to peep through the curtains for me on disembarkation – but he forgot !

Naturally, I was intrigued. Was Emirates still taking delivery of new 777s, even with the 777X still on the way? I knew they had recently started receiving Airbus A350s, so it got me wondering…

Not New—But Newly Transformed

I tracked his flight and found that the aircraft wasn’t brand new after all. It was actually a 7-year-old Boeing 777 that had just come out of a retrofit in April 2025. The aircraft in question has the tail A6-EQF.

But here’s where things got really interesting.

The configuration of the aircraft was listed as F6 C38 W24 Y256.

Only six First Class seats? That can mean only one thing in Emirates-speak: the legendary GameChanger First Class Suites!

Wait—Isn’t That Not Supposed to Happen?

According to Emirates’ own press releases, the airline had previously announced that its 777 retrofits would include eight refreshed First Class seats—essentially, updates to the older classic product—not the ultra-luxe GameChanger suites.

This a major disappointment for many. Meaning in 10 years time – 2035 –  you could still be flying on a Emirates First Class seat that was first launched back in 2008 !?

So what gives?

A Quick Recap: What Is the Game Changer?

The GameChanger was supposed to be Emirates’ flagship First Class experience—essentially a fully floor to ceiling private suite in the sky. Launched in 2017, it’s arguably one of the best First Class products in the world.

Yet, oddly enough, by 2024 only nine Emirates 777s had been fitted with it.

The long-term plan was always to roll it out on the upcoming Boeing 777X aircraft—originally scheduled for delivery from 2021. But, as we all know, COVID-19 derailed aviation timelines across the board, and the 777X is now delayed by several years.

These 777X debacle is mostly out of Boeing’s own misfortune and management mishaps beyond external factors, which really warrants it’s own post.

So… Are We Finally Getting More GameChangers?

Up until now, Emirates had insisted the GameChanger would not be part of the retrofit program. Instead, passengers were told to wait for the delayed 777X fleet.

But this recent retrofit suggests otherwise.

So what changed? Did Emirates quietly shift its strategy? Was this a one-off, or is there now a fleet of retrofitted 777s with the GameChanger suite in the works?

From my tracking so far – I cannot find another 777 retrofitted frame that has this configuration, but that does not rule out there not being any more to come.

The refurbishments is not even half way, with many more 777s still to come all the way through to 2027 when we can expect the refresh to a colossal 191 777 and A380 aircraft from nose to tail ! It is understood each 777 alone can take 2 full weeks!

Still No A380 GameChanger (Yet)

Worth noting: the A380s have yet to see any GameChanger love. And perhaps there’s a good reason—those luxurious suites might not even fit in so easily on the A380’s slightly narrower upper deck.

What’s Next?

I’ve reached out to Emirates for clarification and will update once I hear back. I really hope we will indeed see many more 777’s with the new Suites but the icing on the cake to this whole programme would surely have been some A380’s with the Game Changer product too !

In the meantime, have you or someone you know flown on one of these newly retrofitted 777s with the GameChanger First Class? If so, I’d love to hear your experience!