Emirates: Flying First-Class

Being able to travel first-class from Dubai to Sydney with Emirates was high on my travel experience list.  Would it live up to the hype, and mean I’d struggle to travel any other way again, or would I wonder why I used most of my points on such an indulgent experience?  

Emirates first-class check-in lounge

Check-In

As soon as you exit your car at Dubai International Airport, you’re greeted by the friendly ground staff team who take your bags and escort you into the private check-in lounge.  There was no one else around as I arrived, so I had the whole lounge to myself; plenty of space to sit and relax, as you can see, but not for long.  Within about three minutes of giving my passport and destination to the friendly attendant, I received my printed boarding pass.  The efficiency continued through the smoothest security and passport control I have ever experienced, and onto the transit train to the main terminal and then the first-class lounge.   

The First-Class Lounge

I have been in a few business class lounges and even a couple of first-class ones in the past, but nothing prepared me for the sheer scale of the Emirates first-class lounge in Dubai.  It goes the full length of the terminal, enabling guests to access any gate without having to mix with other passengers.  It was vast, dated in its décor and once again empty.  A few people did appear during my waiting time, but surprisingly not many.

To while away the time, there are plenty of options to put your feet up whether you want a cosy, private pod or a more open group area.  See more on my Instagram.  I also found some lie-flat beds for catching a bit of sleep, which were less private than I’d expect for a first-class experience.  The centre of the lounge is taken up by a private duty-free area, so you don’t miss out on your shopping pre-flight.  There’s also a cigar lounge, children’s play areas and of course showers. Food-wise, there are two restaurants with buffet style selections and an à la carte menu, along with numerous other snack / pre-prepared eating spots dotted throughout – take a look.  Perhaps being so large, or due to the colours and décor, the whole place felt a bit soulless and overly formal.  

My favourite offering was the spa on the floor below.  First-class guests have a complimentary 15-minute treatment, and my chosen foot reflexology treatment really hit the spot.  I nearly stayed for longer but was feeling peckish and didn’t want to eat too late with all the delights of the plane calling out to me.  

When I initially went into the lounge, I grabbed some sushi and macarons, a surprisingly good combo.  After my treatment, I went to the restaurant and decided on the à la carte menu as I am not a huge fan of hot buffets.  The menu didn’t massively excite me, but I did pick a reasonably good tomato and burrata salad, because I am a sucker for burrata, and then a mushroom risotto.  My meal was ok but didn’t blow me away as I was hoping from the Emirates first-class lounge experience.  It was a little uninspiring and just good rather than special.  

Dining in the Emirates first-class lounge, Dubai

The Seat

Walking on to the plane, I was beyond excited.  Not only was I heading back to my second home of Australia, but first-class with Emirates, which I’d heard great things about.  Arriving at my little pod, 2A, I was surprised that when the door closed it wasn’t more private.  I thought it was more like a little room with full privacy, but you could still see over the top into each pod.  Perhaps this is a safety thing.  

The TV was huge and there was a half-desk area, plus storage space.  Bags are stowed at your feet, which means when your seat becomes a bed, it’s hard to reach them, which I found a bit strange.  A tray table comes out from the left-hand side, meaning there’s plenty of room for putting your things around your pod for easy access.    

The seat itself was large and comfortable with lots of space to stretch and move around whether sitting or when the seat was made into a wonderful flat bed.  As someone who constantly wriggles around, this is perfect, so I don’t feel too crammed in.  A mattress topper to give extra comfort, plus a proper duvet and pillow ensured I was able to get a good few hours’ restful sleep.  The only tricky thing was getting out of the pod when the bed was down.  You had to open the door and then spin round to put your feet outside the pod.  Get a full look here.

Emirates first-class lie-flat bed

The Amenities

To the left of the seat is a little drinks and snack cabinet that hides away.  There are also other fun touches.  A basket of sweet and savoury treats that could get refilled during the flight.  A notebook and pen hidden away in a secret drawer.  The best was the range of beauty bits including a skincare selection from Byredo and two amenity kits with a range of body and hair products in a smaller clutch style bag and a larger mini vanity case both by Bulgari.  You also get the standard flying bits – eye mask, ear plugs, socks, plus quite a nice lounge wear set and slippers.  I adore slippers when on a plane and take my own if they are not available to avoid taking my shoes off and on or going into the bathroom in socks, something that I think is totally disgusting.  

First-class delivered on the amenities and treats.  They were the best and most varied I have had on any flight.  Snack-wise, you could pick some further sweet and savoury treats including cakes and sandwiches from the lounge at the back of the plane.  I had a couple of cakes, which were good, but nothing else as I just wasn’t hungry.  The lounge was also well stocked with alcohol, but as I don’t drink this was wasted on me.  I didn’t really spend any time there as I didn’t find it that comfortable or spacious, unlike the Qatar Airways business class lounge, which I love, so it was back to my seat pod to continue binge watching TV.  

Emirates first-class amenities

The Food

When I was given the menu, I thought it was a book, it was so big and thick.  Strangely there were only two pages for food, and 24 pages with drinks including everything from Dom Perignon to a range of wines, high-end spirits and cocktails then soft drinks and hot beverages.  Food begins with the famous caviar offering, then covers breakfast and a three-course dinner where you can pick from six appetisers (including a seasonal salad), five main options and three desserts.  There is also a wide-ranging cheese board, light bites such as a poke bowl, and finally movie snacks like popcorn, sliders or prawn cocktail, which I wish I had tried.  You can pick anything you want at any time, in any order, so you could eat all flight if you wished.  

Being my first time flying with caviar on the menu, I thought I would give it a go.  Served with melba toast and blinis, plus chopped onion, chives, grated egg (white and yolk), plus sour cream and lemon, the caviar comes in its own special serving dish taking centre stage.  While it was good, I didn’t love it and don’t really get the hype from other flight reviews.  I think I would have enjoyed something else more, but I embraced the experience and ate it all – I needed to get my money’s worth.   

I didn’t need an appetiser after all that, especially as there was a basket of breads to enjoy.  I went straight for the pan-seared wagyu beef tenderloin with horseradish and tarragon sauce, potato and celeriac gratin and steamed broccoli, with added blanched asparagus, followed by apple tart Tatin with chantilly cream.  

Later, I had breakfast, which consisted of a well-filled pastry basket, fruit, granola and yoghurt.  There were also three warm options plus cereal, a range of deli items to pick from and juices or smoothies.  

Overall, I think the dinner was delicious especially for being 37,000 feet in the air  Breakfast was ok, but I didn’t eat much as I wasn’t very hungry, so I didn’t really get the full experience.  The service was good and it was great having everything laid out like in a restaurant.  While I may not have picked too much, what I had I really enjoyed, minus the caviar being only ok. If you want to see what it was all like have a look.     

Fine dining with Emirates in the sky

Showering In The Sky

One of the things Emirates first-class is most famous for is its shower.  Of course, I had to try showering at 37,000 feet - take a peek.  You book a slot in advance and then everything is ready for you.  You only get five minutes, which passed very quickly.  The water pressure was low so don’t expect much more than a trickle, at least in my experience. It was fun to get a quick refresh after so long in the sky, but I expected something closer to a normal shower. 

Moments That Shone

-       Super smooth, relaxed and peaceful check-in process that was over almost before it began.

-       The complimentary 15-minute treatment in the spa below the lounge.  I would book a longer session next time to maximise the relaxation.    

-       The masses of treats from snacks to beauty products that you can take away with you. 

-       The little pillow mist when you arrive back to a made-up bed for a good night’s sleep.  

Sweet dreams with Emirates

Moments That Fell Short

-       The lounge didn’t have the luxury vibe I anticipated.  The food was ok, nothing amazing.  I was surprised how much was preprepared in a first-class lounge.  

-       The shower while fun, was weak.

I really enjoyed my first-class flying experience with Emirates, but there were a few things that didn’t match my expectations for such a well-regarded product.  I thought I would get a second go at the flight on the return journey, but with the disruptions in the Middle East, my return flight was cancelled.  Paying by points for what is often an expensive option was a treat I am glad I experienced.  However, paying full price is not something I think I can justify when many business class offerings are really upping their game.