Luxury in the Sky: Review of Emirates A380 First Class [NRT-DXB]

Airline: Emirates (EK)
Aircraft: Airbus A380
Flight Number: EK319
Route: Narita International Airport (NRT) to Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Date: September 10, 2024
Duration: 10 hours, 40 minutes
Cabin and Layout: Emirates first class, 14 seats, 1-2-1 configuration
Seat: 1K
Cost: 141,000 Emirates Skywards miles or $11,423 (the entire trip from NRT to DXB to ORD cost 187,500 Emirates Skywards miles)

After an incredible, monthlong honeymoon in Japan, it was time to head home. Since my wife had already gone home a few days earlier due to some work obligations, I had a few days to myself in Tokyo while I figured out how to get back home to Chicago.

Although several airlines, like United Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Japan Airlines, operate nonstop flights between Tokyo and Chicago, I have already flown all those airlines in a premium cabin (business class or first class). I wanted a completely new experience.

After some brainstorming, I thought this would be the perfect time to try a product I had wanted to fly for so long: Emirates first class. After searching for awards, I found award availability to take me back home to Chicago.

Here’s an in-depth look at how I booked this award ticket and the entire experience from the Emirates Lounge in Tokyo to the Emirates first class flight itself.

Booking Emirates First Class

Emirates first class has been among the most sought-after award redemptions, and for good reason. Whether you are flying in the Game Changer First Class Suite on the Boeing 777 or the first class product on the Airbus A380 with an onboard bar and shower suite, you will almost certainly have an amazing experience.

However, redeeming points and miles for Emirates first class has always been challenging and has gotten even more difficult in recent years.

Emirates is not a member of any of the 3 major airline alliances. However, it does have partnerships with individual airlines, including well-known airlines such as Air Canada and Qantas. Unfortunately, Emirates has greatly restricted partner first class award space over the years.

Generally speaking, the best way to redeem miles for Emirates first class is through Emirates’ own loyalty program, Emirates Skywards. This is because the program has some decent award rates (despite numerous devaluations over the years) and is best when it comes to award availability. However, Emirates Skywards does pass on fuel surcharges, which can often be quite high (as was the case with my redemption).

I booked this award redemption using Emirates Skywards miles because I could not find partner first class award space with Air Canada Aeroplan. Emirates does not have an award chart for Skywards redemptions. Instead, it has a miles calculator that shows how much an itinerary costs.

After logging in to my Emirates Skywards account, I began looking for award space from both Tokyo airports, Narita Airport (NRT) and Haneda Airport (HND), to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). I knew I would fly through Dubai International Airport (DXB), Emirates’ hub. I found first class award space from Tokyo-Narita to Chicago via Dubai. Best of all, I had the opportunity to fly on both an Emirates A380 and an Emirates 777 (although the latter was one of their older products).

This specific itinerary could be booked for 187,500 Emirates Skywards miles and approximately ¥190,000 (about $1,350) in taxes and fees. Although both the miles required and the taxes and fees were quite high, I had pushed back from experiencing Emirates first class for far too long.

Flying this same itinerary in business class would have cost 158,750 miles and the same taxes and fees. After seeing that it would cost less than 30,000 miles to fly in Emirates first class over 24 hours, I thought it was a no-brainer.

Since I did not have the necessary miles in my Emirates Skywards account, I needed to transfer points over. Fortunately, earning Emirates Skywards is fairly easy, thanks to the program’s transfer partners, including American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Marriott Bonvoy.

I transferred 188,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to my Emirates Skywards account. Since I was worried the award space would disappear (which can happen quickly), I contacted Emirates and had an agent place this itinerary on hold while the points were transferred. After the point transfer was processed in about 40 hours, I called Emirates again and spoke to an knowledgeable representative who processed my award ticket.

I used my Chase Sapphire Reserve^® to pay the taxes and fees. It’s my go-to card for travel purchases, as it offers extensive travel insurance and protections.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.74% - 28.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.74% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

If I’d paid cash, the one-way first class fare would have set me back $11,423. However, since I used 187,500 Emirates Skywards miles (and about $1,350 in taxes and fees) for this one-way award, I got a respectable 5.4 cents per point in value. This is significantly more than our valuation of Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Emirates Skywards miles at 2 cents and 1.1 cents, respectively, making this an excellent redemption.

Hot Tip:

Check out our detailed guide on the best ways to redeem Emirates Skywards miles.

Narita International Airport

After a relaxing stay at the Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya, it was time to head to Narita International Airport (NRT). From Shibuya Station, I took the Narita Express train to Narita Terminal 2, where Emirates flies from. The journey took approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes and stopped at Tokyo Station and Shinagawa Station. It cost ¥3,250 (about $25).

After arriving at Tokyo Narita Terminal Two Station, I took the elevators to the international departure level on the third floor.

Check-In

Once I arrived at the international departures level, I asked an airport representative where the Emirates check-in counters were. She told me that Emirates economy passengers could go to the J check-in counters and Emirates premium cabin passengers could check in at the dedicated I check-in counters.

The check-in counters were not yet open (I arrived 5 hours ahead of the flight). After about a 20-minute wait, an Emirates representative approached me to see what cabin I was flying in. When I mentioned I was flying first class, she let me through to speak to the check-in agents.

Although I had already checked in online, I needed to drop off my bags. I approached one of the check-in desks and was greeted by a friendly Emirates representative. I handed my passport to the agent, and he looked up my flight information. 

The agent promptly gave me my boarding passes (including the connecting flight to Chicago). He also told me where to find the Emirates Lounge, which I had access to.

Although I usually avoid checking bags, this time it was necessary. My wife and I had done so much shopping in Japan that I had to buy 2 new suitcases to fit everything. Since I had valuable souvenirs, I requested that the bags be labeled with a fragile tag, which the Emirates representative was happy to do.

The entire check-in process took less than 3 minutes, and I appreciated the efficient agent.

After gathering my carry-on bags, I headed toward the security checkpoints. There was a dedicated fast-track security checkpoint for those flying in first or business class and Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire elites.

The security screening process was also efficient and was completed in just a few minutes. After clearing security, I collected my bags and headed toward passport control. 

Bottom Line:

Narita is considered one of the best airports in the world, and it’s easy to see why. I smoothly collected my boarding passes, checked my bags, cleared security, and went through passport control in under 10 minutes.

Emirates Lounge

After clearing passport control, I followed several signs to the Emirates Lounge.

After taking the elevator to the fourth floor, I reached the Emirates Lounge. First and business class passengers and Emirates Skywards Gold and Platinum members have complimentary access to the lounge, which is open daily between 6 and 10 p.m.

The agent at the check-in desk promptly welcomed me to the lounge and scanned my boarding pass.

Walking into the lounge, I immediately noticed the indoor waterfall fountain, which was a nice touch.

The lounge was divided into 2 main sections. One featured the dining and lounging area, and the other featured the business center and a rest area.

Much of the seating area consisted of small clusters of surprisingly comfortable leather armchairs with small tables dividing them.

Each table had a lamp, which provided plenty of lighting, power outlets, and USB-A ports.

The main dining area accommodated over 100 passengers and featured long rows of 2-person tables. Although the tables were arranged closely together, giving a sense of crowding, ample seating was available.

The lounge also featured a dedicated business center near the dining area, equipped with 5 computers and a printer for guest use.

It also had magazines and newspapers in English, Japanese, and Arabic.

There was a showcase of stunning Japanese artwork that complemented each other beautifully.

The lounge also included a prayer room, a feature commonly found in Emirates’ satellite lounges. The prayer mats were equipped with compasses.

After exploring the lounge, I headed to the food and beverage section to check out the offerings.

Hot foods included Japanese and Middle Eastern options, such as machboos rice, chicken machboos, and seared snapper with Sicilian dressing.

Other hot dishes included vegetable okonomiyaki (a savory pancake), steamed white rice, and Japanese beef curry. Both the okonomiyaki and curry were excellent, and I enjoyed them as a farewell to my time in Japan.

Other hot items included a delicious casarecce pasta, seasonal vegetables, and potatoes.

The lounge’s cold station served pan-seared prawns with soba noodles, Caprese salads, and cheeses. A small selection of snacks included vanilla Pavlova, Danish crackers, and Emirati dates.

There was also a diverse beverage selection with both alcoholic and nonalcoholic options, such as soft drinks, distilled and spring water, coffee, and tea.

An extensive selection of premium alcohol was available next to snacks such as olives and mixed nuts.

After exploring the lounge’s food offerings, I filled a plate and paired it with a Coke Zero. I also ordered a tempura plate, one of the lounge’s specialties.

After eating a lot more than I anticipated, I was ready to take a shower. Fortunately, the lounge had several individual shower rooms.

The showers operated on a first-come, first-served basis, so no reservations were needed. Passengers just needed to let the bathroom staff attendant know they wanted to shower, and the staff would ensure everything needed was prepared.

Although the shower room was relatively outdated and rather simple, it was nice that it was available nonetheless. It’s always nice to be able to take a shower before a long flight (even though I was going to take another shower in a couple of hours on the plane — more on that below!).

The fabulous lounge staff was very attentive and did an excellent job fulfilling any and all requests without being overbearing. Despite the language barrier with some staff members, everyone was friendly and went above and beyond to ensure I was comfortable in the lounge.

Bottom Line:

Overall, the Emirates Lounge at Narita was outstanding and a fantastic spot to spend time. The food and beverage selection matched that of any top airline lounge, featuring a well-rounded mix of Japanese and Middle Eastern dishes. However, it would have been nice to have some sushi on offer, as is common in many other lounges at Japanese airports.

I liked how the lounge had dedicated areas, such as one for relaxing and another for dining. I also appreciated the amenities like shower rooms and a business center.

Boarding at NRT

The Emirates flight to Dubai was set to depart from gate 66, about a 10-minute walk from the lounge.

There was a dedicated priority boarding line for first class and business class passengers and Emirates elites.

Boarding began right on schedule, at around 9:45 p.m., with passengers requiring extra assistance. Emirates first class passengers were then invited to board.

Once we were on the jet bridge, there was a separate line for first and business class passengers. This entrance led to the higher level of the Emirates A380.

My excitement was palpable, as I was on the brink of experiencing something I had read about for years but never tried myself. Despite having read numerous articles and knowing what to expect, I was eager to experience it firsthand.

On Board the Emirates A380

As I boarded the massive A380 through the upstairs door, I was greeted by a friendly and welcoming cabin crew member who showed me to my seat, 1K — the first window seat in the front cabin.

As soon as I placed my bags in the footwell storage area, I was in awe. I immediately noticed the fine wooden touches and overall color scheme. I loved the hints of gold throughout the seat and the cabin, creating a sense of true luxury.

The leather and high-quality stitching made the seat look quite comfortable (and it was!). Although I have flown in first class on some of the best airlines in the world, I was exceptionally excited to be here at the moment.

Emirates’ A380s offer 14 first class suites at the front of the upper deck. The suites are arranged across 4 rows in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring all passengers have direct aisle access.

There are 8 window seats (A and K seats) on the left and right sides of the aircraft. The center section has 6 suites (E and F seats) across 3 rows. With 14 seats, Emirates’ A380 features one of the largest first class cabins in the world.

The window seats best serve solo travelers, as they provide the most privacy. Meanwhile, couples traveling together would most likely prefer to share the seats in the middle section.

First Class Seat

I began checking out all of the details of the suite. A 27-inch inflight entertainment (IFE) monitor was straight ahead.

On the desk in front of the screen was a vanity with Byredo skin care amenities and a mounted lamp. The vanity could easily be folded up and down by pressing on it.

In the corner of the desk was a well-stocked snack basket filled with various treats, including vegetable chips, salted nuts, mints, and even hydration tablets.

The crew took away the snack basket just before takeoff and returned once we were in the sky. I enjoyed the variety of snacks, but it felt more like a decorative touch than a necessity.

The signature Emirates stationery set, which contained a writing pad and pen, was in a compartment at the edge of the surface.

The seat’s AC power outlet and USB-A outlet were on the opposite edge of the surface. Despite the convenient placement, I found it difficult to connect my devices. Fortunately, a cabin crew member provided an adapter, which fixed the problem.

The suite’s primary storage area was directly below the entertainment unit. Since the Emirates A380 first class cabin has no overhead bins, this was the only place to store personal belongings.

Fortunately, the footwell was quite spacious. I could store my backpack and a few tote bags there, and there was so much room that my feet didn’t come close to touching them unless I made a deliberate effort to do so.

There was an additional storage rack on the side of the suite, which contained several reading materials and a pair of noise-canceling headphones.

The right side of the suite featured the seat console, which contained the minibar, tray table, and control tablet. Both the minibar and tray table could be accessed by pressing their respective buttons.

The minibar contained several beverages, including Evian, Perrier, a drinking glass, and snacks.

The minibar might not have been the most practical feature, given that you could request any of those items from the cabin crew at any time. Still, it was part of the extravagance that defines the Emirates first class experience.

The suite’s tray table was accessible with a button next to the one for the minibar. It was impressively large and folded out from the right, adjacent to the minibar.

The suite also featured a tablet that could control all seat functions, suite lighting, and various IFE options. For convenience, the tablet could be removed from its docking bay.

Below the tablet were several buttons, including the call button and lighting controls. There was also a control that allowed you to raise or lower the window shades. Next to the buttons was a dedicated air nozzle for ventilation.

There was also a small surface section in the back corner, which opened up to a deep storage unit. The storage unit had enough space to store my Sony camera and 3 lenses (including a wide-angle, a standard zoom, and a telephoto lens).

The IFE controller was neatly housed inside the right armrest, just below the tablet. I appreciated how convenient and accessible this placement was.

The controller felt outdated, but it was still useful for managing the IFE system and was easy to use. Still, I found using the tablet easier (and more convenient).

On the opposite side was another padded armrest.

The armrest could be lifted, opening into another small storage nook with enough space to store a pair of glasses or something similar. When not in use, I used this space to store my AirPods.

At the very front of the armrest was a streamlined set of seat controls with 4 buttons for adjusting the seat: upright, dining, lie-flat, and opening and closing the suite’s sliding door.

While the staggered cabin layout offered a decent amount of privacy, it was nice that the suite featured a fully closable door.

When the doors were closed, they provided excellent privacy. They were quite tall, adding to the sense of seclusion.

To the left of the doors was an additional light with adjustable brightness levels and an air nozzle.

The seat could be converted into a fully lie-flat bed. While the bed wasn’t wide — thanks to the space taken up by the minibar — I still found it to be quite comfortable.

A crew member provided turndown service, adding a mattress topper and a blanket for extra comfort. With the suite doors closed, I felt like I was in my own little room — exactly the level of privacy and comfort I’d hoped for.

Although I don’t typically sleep well on flights, I did get a few hours of rest on this flight. I could have slept more, but I asked a flight attendant to wake me after a couple of hours so I didn’t miss out on any of the experience.

Bottom Line:

Overall, the Emirates A380 first class suite was fantastic. It was packed with numerous customization options and in-seat features. I loved the spaciousness of the suite and how everything had a designated place. The sliding doors contributed significantly to my comfort.

While the seat featured some not-so-practical amenities, like the minibar, those only added to the fun factor. Overall, only a few products in the sky can even compare to the opulence of Emirates first class.

Food and Beverages

Emirates is widely considered to be one of the best airlines in the world when it comes to the inflight meal service.

Let’s look at what the food-and-beverage offering was like on my flight.

Inflight Dining Experience

Shortly after I settled into my seat, a crew member came by and asked if I wanted anything to drink for a predeparture beverage. I politely declined, as I wanted to wait until the meal service began.

A few seconds later, the flight attendant returned with the inflight menu, which was in a brown leather binder.

The extensive menu featured the signature caviar offering, light bites, and desserts. I made several selections from the menu, wanting to take full advantage of the inflight dining experience.

There was also a dedicated movie snacks menu with salted popcorn, edamame, prawn cocktail, and wagyu beef or vegetable sliders.

The beverage menu included coffee, tea, hot chocolate, sparkling water, fruit juices, soft drinks, and mocktails. It also had an extensive selection of cocktails, Champagne, and wine.

Emirates offers dine-on-demand for first class passengers, meaning I could enjoy my meals anytime. Since I wanted to get some rest during the flight, I decided to have my food right away. The meal service began shortly after cruising altitude, about 20 minutes after takeoff.

The same flight attendant came by and asked about my drink preferences. I had both a virgin mojito and a regular one.

A few minutes later, a flight attendant brought me my drinks, which were paired with macadamia nuts, cashews, and almonds.

After about 10 minutes, the flight attendant began Emirates’ signature caviar offering, a highlight of the luxurious inflight dining experience. The caviar course was served with traditional garnishes, including blini, chopped onions, grated eggs, lemon juice, and sour cream. I particularly appreciated the overall food presentation.

The portion size was quite generous, more than I could comfortably finish. However, not wanting to waste the food, I ate all the caviar.

Shortly after, a crew member served the first part of the light bites. I had a selection of sushi, which included prawn, salmon, and scallop nigiri, pieces of maki, and tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet). The sushi was served with pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce.

I was thrilled with the sushi, which was absolutely delicious. Since the lounge didn’t offer sushi, this more than made up for it.

Shortly after, a flight attendant brought the next course. I had the chicken teriyaki served with grilled leeks, lotus root, carrots, steamed asparagus, and rice with sweet corn.

The teriyaki was fantastic, with juicy chicken and a perfectly balanced savory-sweet teriyaki sauce. The stocked breadbasket featured a nice variety of options. Unfortunately, there was no garlic bread.

Other options included pan-fried sea bream and cannelloni with broccoli and spinach.

Although the menu’s description of “light bites” suggested the dishes would be small, they were actually quite filling. There was nothing to complain about, though, as the food was delicious.

I was pretty full from the meal service at this point, but I didn’t want to skip out on dessert. My selection included a hazelnut cream profiterole, salted caramel cheesecake, and almond and hazelnut financier. As expected, the dessert was also delicious.

Other dessert options were seasonal fruit and wagashi, a Japanese sweet.

After the meal service, the flight attendants cleared my tray table and brought out a massive box of chocolates. Despite feeling tremendously full, I couldn’t resist the temptation.

I requested 1 of each type, eager to try everything. Although I didn’t eat the chocolates all at once — instead, eating a piece or 2 every half hour — they were decadent.

About 2 hours before landing, the flight attendants began the breakfast service. I had the French toast, which was served with berry compote, caramelized bananas, and vanilla mascarpone. The breakfast was good, but it didn’t quite match the dinner service.

Bottom Line:

Overall, Emirates did an excellent job with the entire first class dining experience. While I can’t say it was my absolute favorite (reserved for ANA’s The Suite), the food was outstanding. Everything tasted very fresh, and I appreciated the extensive variety.

Amenities

As expected with a world-class airline like Emirates, there were numerous onboard amenities, including a special one reserved specifically for first class passengers.

Shower Spa

One amenity exclusive to first class passengers on the Emirates A380 is the renowned shower suite. The A380 features 2 of these luxurious shower suites in the lavatories at the front of the cabin on the upper deck. The suite features premium toiletries, plush towels, and a rainfall showerhead.

I found the shower suite remarkably spacious, with enough room for 5 people to comfortably fit inside at once. In fact, it felt about the same size as the bathroom in my home, which is crazy to think about.

Emirates also provided a dedicated shower attendant (not a flight attendant) who ensured that the shower suites were consistently cleaned and that amenities were replenished.

The shower suite was fully stocked with Voya shampoo and conditioner, body wash, body moisturizer, and facial cleanser. I made a conscious effort to try all of the products.

Each passenger was given 30 minutes in the shower suite, with 5 minutes of hot running water. The shower had a timer and lighting indicators to show how much of the 5-minute water allotment remained. When the shower entered the red zone, there was about a minute of hot water remaining.

Although 5 minutes in the shower might not seem like a lot, you could turn the water on and off as often as you liked. I stopped the water flow every so often, which allowed me to enjoy the shower for over 10 minutes.

Best of all, the shower pressure was exceptional — better than many showers I’ve experienced on the ground. It’s difficult to describe just how remarkable this experience truly was.

Although I’ve used onboard showers several times before, no words can fully capture how special and unique this experience was. Simply put, showering on a plane never gets old. I’m always in awe of having an onboard shower, as it’s astounding to think that such a luxury is available in the sky.

Onboard Bar

The Emirates A380 featured another unique amenity: an onboard bar at the back of the upper level, behind the massive business class cabin.

There was usually a cabin crew member stationed at the bar, serving drinks and snacks. The bar was a popular spot for photos, so, naturally, I asked if I could take a picture there as well.

The bar and lounge area was quite spacious, featuring couches and seating for both business and first class passengers to relax and socialize. There was enough seating for approximately 8 people on the 2 couches.

Inflight Entertainment

Although I don’t use the IFE system much these days, preferring TV shows on my MacBook, I still explored the IFE. Emirates’ signature entertainment system is widely known for offering some of the best options available from any airline in the world.

As expected, there was an extensive selection, including a solid collection of Hollywood and Arabic movies. Several documentaries were available on various topics, from astrology to nature.

There was also a great selection of television shows, including full seasons of several of my favorite sitcoms, such as “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Friends,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” and “The Big Bang Theory.“

I spent the majority of the flight looking at the flight path from Tokyo to Dubai.

First class passengers also received a pair of Bowers & Wilkins noise-canceling headphones. The headphones were of fantastic quality, rivaling my personal Bose noise-canceling headphones. 

Although I didn’t use them for long, the headphones had excellent cushioning and impressive audio quality.

Amenities

First class passengers also received a high-quality Bulgari amenity kit.

The amenity kit was fully stocked with a variety of toiletries, including a dental kit, earplugs, a Gillette razor and shaving cream, a hairbrush, and Rexona deodorant.

It also included a separate pouch filled with Bulgari products, including perfume, shave balm, lip balm, hydrating body lotion, and a cleansing towel.

This was easily one of the best and most well-stocked amenity kits I’ve ever received, on par with the Etihad first class Acqua di Parmi amenity kit.

First class passengers also received a pair of high-quality comfortable pajamas and slippers. I requested a second pair of slippers, which the flight attendant promptly provided.

Onboard Wi-Fi

Emirates also has Wi-Fi on its A380 aircraft, which is complimentary for Skywards members in premium cabins.

Unfortunately, there was an issue on board that affected the plane’s Wi-Fi, which was down for most of the flight. However, this wasn’t a big deal since it was an overnight flight, allowing me to get some rest while being disconnected.

Still, this was a huge disappointment, as some connectivity is better than absolutely no connectivity

Service

Emirates is also renowned for its diverse cabin crew and exceptional service, which is widely regarded as some of the best in the world. The service on this flight was excellent, which is indicative of Emirates’ high standards.

I found the cabin crew on this flight to be professional and friendly. I appreciated how the flight attendants serving me kept referring to me by my formal name. It’s evident how much Emirates cabin crew members pride themselves on their service.

During the long overnight flight, I enjoyed several excellent conversations with various flight attendants. At one point, I asked one of them if we could take a group photo. She kindly rounded up some of her colleagues, and we managed to capture this picture on the stairs of the A380 once we had landed in Dubai.

Arrival at Dubai International Airport

We arrived in Dubai several minutes ahead of our scheduled arrival time. Although I have flown through Dubai more than 10 times over the past decade, this was my first time in Emirates first class. I was incredibly happy that I had the chance to experience this once-in-a-lifetime flight.

However, once we were on the ground, reality started to settle in. As we were taxiing on the runway, I was able to take a picture of another Emirates A380 that had landed right after our flight.

Soon after, as we were pulling to the gate, I spotted an Emirates Boeing 777. I was thrilled to see it, especially since I would be boarding one in a few hours for my flight back to Chicago.

However, first I had a couple of hours to spend in the Emirates First Class Lounge in Dubai, often considered among the best airport lounges in the world.

Final Thoughts

Emirates first class on the A380 is considered to be one of the most aspirational products in the sky today, and it’s easy to see why. Thanks to its unique features, such as the shower suite and the onboard bar, the overall fun factor is unmatched by any other airline.

The first class suite is extremely private and spacious, showcasing unique in-seat features and amenities like a private minibar and extensive customization. However, the soft product is equally impressive, offering some of the best inflight dining in the sky, complemented by outstanding cabin crew service.

Despite the steep cost, I cannot wait to fly in Emirates first class again. Next time, however, I will make sure to try out the Game Changer cabin on the Boeing 777 to see which one I enjoy more. Still, flying Emirates first class will leave you feeling like you’re on top of the world.