Emirates’ brand new first-class suite on the Boeing 777 will launch in December, and the layout will change from a 1-2-1 configuration down to 2 rows in a 1-1-1g configuration.
I reviewed the current Emirates First Class Suite and have compared the Emirates vs. Etihad First Class Suites.
The existing Emirates suite is very glitzy and quite narrow, but you get to use the shower suites if you fly on the A380, which is a superb novelty. Sadly, there are no showers on the B777, but this is one of the few things to be disappointed about with this new suite as it is impressive and comparable with Etihad’s apartments on their A380 planes and Singapore Airlines new First Class A380 Suite.
The new suite loses the glitz of the old suite and has a much more contemporary color palette “inspired by Mercedes-Benz” to evoke “timeless luxury”. The seat can be placed into a so-called “zero-gravity” position inspired by NASA. It is fully enclosed with floor-to-ceiling walls and doors. There is a rather odd feature of being able to use a video call function for communicating with cabin crew (as well as audio), and there is a prison-style service window where customers can be served drinks and canapés undisturbed.
Possibly my favorite feature is the virtual windows that will project the view from outside the aircraft onto the wall of the cabin using real-time cameras.
You also get a 32-inch personal television with 2,500 channels, Bowers & Wilkins Active Noise Cancelling E1 headphones, an “inspiration kit,” featuring a luxury Byredo skincare collection, Hydra Active moisturizing pajamas, and Bulgari amenity kits (my favorite!).
Emirate’s complimentary chauffeur service for First Class travelers in the UAE will feature a fleet of S-Class vehicles to get passengers to and from the airport.
One disadvantage of this product is that there is no option to combine two suites into a larger suite, no side-wall that can be lowered, and no foot-stool seat so you can invite a friend to join for dinner, making this suite a rather lonely experience.
Emirates only has plans to install the product on nine new Boeing 777-300ERs by the end of 2019. They intend to eventually install the new product on the A380, which currently offers the onboard showers as part of the First Class suite and they don’t have clear plans to retrofit their existing 777 fleet, making the planned launch date rather irrelevant as the suite is only present on 4% of their fleet so, at least for now, you are unlikely to experience it.
Emirates has 150 777-8s and 777-9s on order and will take delivery of those starting in 2020 which will feature a new first class product. You can read all of my current Emirates Business Class flight reviews and Emirates First Class flight reviews.
Which routes will fly Emirates’ new First Class?
The new Emirates suite will launch in December from Dubai to Geneva and Brussels, and you can see more in the video below. Unfortunately, most of the Emirates routes out of London fly the A380, so it is unlikely that we will see this new seat out of London for a long while. For those looking to travel from Brussels and Geneva First Class, award availability has evaporated for now. However, Emirates is an American Express Membership Rewards partner which is useful for an award flight. You can convert Amex awards to Emirates miles on a ratio of 1:1, and a one-way First Class seat from Brussels to Dubai comes in at 85,000 miles. Keep an eye out as once award availability is loaded back in, this will be an experience to try, particularly if Brussels or Geneva are convenient departure destinations for you.
It is worth reading my 10 tips to find cheap long-haul Business Class flights for a way to save money on your next First, Business and even Premium Economy flight booking.
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