What It’s Really Like Flying Emirates Airlines Business Class

I’m in Dubai right now. I flew here on Emirates Airlines, Business Class, and I flew for free so I am in no way complaining–it was easily the best flight I’ve ever had. I just want to help you set your expectations straight in case you’re getting ready to flying Emirates Business Class for the first time and you think you’re going to have a an experience that borders on the transcendent.

If you do a search on Google for “emirates airlines business class” the first page you’ll find is the official Emirates Airlines Business-Class page. Based on the images on this webpage, you get the idea that flying business class is a pretty swanky affair what with all the folks playing saxophones, bedhead, DJs, the most interesting alcohol drinkers in the world, etc.

The website also states that in Business Class you can “Send emails, write the next chapter of your book or upload your latest blog post,” and that “There’s in-seat power for your laptop and a side table for space to work.”

Then there’s the story Business Insider published of one John De Langhe, who was given a complimentary upgrade to Emirates Airlines Business Class. His girlfriend got the upgrade as well, thus avoiding any Seinfeld-esque awkwardness.

John was understandably stoked. Who wouldn’t be, what with the personal cubicle, large flat screen, massage chair, steak bites, and plates of grilled shrimp?

Was my flight anything like this? Wellllll…no. Again, not complaining. Free flight, best I’ve ever had, very grateful to my hosts, just trying to help others set their expectations. The thing is, what you see on the website and on the Business Insider post is from the A380 or 777 flights. I don’t know what plane I was on, but it wasn’t one of those. Did I get my own personal cubicle? No. Massage chair? Nope. Large flatscreen? No, although I had a small one that worked fine. No steak bites, no shrimp either. And no most interesting people in the world, at least none that I got to talk to, although I did get to chat with a stewardess in Portuguese which was fun. Most of all, I was banking on having Internet during the flight, which unfortunately was not included.

What was good? I can tell by looking at John’s photos that I had the same meal options, which were quite sumptuous. Much better than the standard airline fare. I did have a large seat that reclined quite far, although not flat. It also had a foot rest. The surround earphones were nice as well. Plus a nice, thick blanket, by airline standards, and since there was space they put us in seats without anyone next to us. Were I a drinker, I would have been in heaven with all the times they offered to bring me alcohol.

So yes, it was very nice. Best flight I’ve ever had. Just don’t get your expectations set too high by the airline webpage or John’s photos, or you might be somewhat let down. Of course, I have my flight back home tomorrow. Who knows, maybe it will be an A380 or 777. I’ve got my fingers crossed.

———- Update! ———–

Well, folks, guess what? On the return trip I checked in at the Dubai airport, and as I looked out the window at the gate I beheld a beautiful site, a huge A380, shining white, with what I hoped was a different Business Class experience inside. And was it different? Oh my, yes! Where to begin? Were there guys with saxophones? Well, no. And no DJ’s either, or at least if they were there they weren’t mixin’ tunes on the flight. I didn’t notice any bedhead either, and there weren’t steakbites or grilled shrimp, but there were definitely interesting alcohol drinkers and plenty of other good things, such as…

My own private cubicle. In fact, the entire section of the plane where I was only had myself and one other passenger, who sat all the way on the other side of the plane, so I pretty much had the entire area to myself.

Comfy seat that can recline into a flat bed. Foot rest. Thick blanket. Storage right next to my seat, large enough for my laptop bag to fit comfortably.

 Large, flatscreen with tons of movies. Took me 10 minutes just to cycle through all of them. Power outlet for my laptop too! And yes, there was Internet on the flight, although not the whole way. In fact, it wasn’t working most of the way, which is more than I can say for most flights I’ve ever been on.

This was immediately to my left, within my cubicle. Stocked drinks, ready and waiting.

Lounge area, just behind the section where I was seated. This was before the flight took off, but once things were in full swing they had all sorts of snacks (nice little sandwiches, fancy desserts, etc.) and drinks here. Plus the interesting drunk people.

 They gave me this toiletry bag. The bag itself was nice, and it was full of everything I could possibly need including razor, shaving gel, toothpaste, Bulgari cologne and perfume, and 10 other things.

Hey, wait a second! This outlet is US, and I brought my Hong Kong plug! No problem, they have plenty of adapters.

Hello sir, would you like a plate of warm, roasted nuts? Sure, why not.

This was just the appetizer part of lunch. Some sort of Indian sampler platter. Then steak for lunch, and several options for dessert including a cheese tray, chocolate tart, blueberry tart, and fresh fruit.

The flight home was, in every way, pretty amazing. Not that the flight to Dubai was bad, but the flight home was over the top. So whatever you do, when you fly Emirates Airlines Business Class, try to get on a 777 or A380, and you’ll be in for a treat.