UAE flag carrier Emirates has announced an array of contract agreements with French technology manufacturer Safran, valued at up to $1.2bn.

The partnership involves the $1bn purchase of Safran’s passenger seating for Emirates’ newly acquired Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X-9/777-300 aircraft. The seating will be added to new fleet acquisitions that were purchased across the Dubai Air Show.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

The passenger seating features a selection of business, premium economy and economy class seats. Emirates claims this will adopt a new standard for the passenger experience, boosting comfort and introducing hi-tech features across its cabins.

In addition to Safran’s seating products, the manufacturer will provide Emirates with advanced cabin improvements, including its Galley shipsets, Safran landing systems and connectivity solutions across 160 aircraft.

Emirates Airlines president Tim Clark emphasised how the partnership will bolster the airline’s imprint across the French market.

Clark said: “Safran is a key partner for Emirates and we’re working closely to reimagine and elevate our future cabins with smart design and the latest technologies. These have been decisive factors in our selection of seat types, which will be customised for Emirates.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

“Today’s announcement is significant not only because it cements the partnership between Emirates and Safran, but also because it supports aviation manufacturing and the wider value chain in France and across Europe.”

Safran will further provide maintenance and repair services for ten years from its Middle East facility.

This deal is set to extend the established partnership between the two companies, which currently spans over 30 years.

According to Emirates, it aims to continue ongoing investment across France, which currently oversees direct contributions of over €210m to the French economy every year through operational expenditures.

Airport Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Airport Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
OPS1 by TADERA has won the 2025 Product Launch Award in the Safety and Efficiency category for transforming how airports manage operations and safety. Learn how this integrated, GIS driven platform simplifies inspections, maintenance, and SMS compliance while turning operational data into real time, actionable intelligence.

Discover the Impact