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Is Emirates First Class Worth It? Here’s Everything You Need to Know!

Contrary to popular belief, Emirates Airlines is not the official air carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Emirates is a hugely successful privately owned business operating out of Dubai while the national airline – Etihad Airlines – is based in the UAE's Capital, Abu Dhabi.

2min read

Published 10 February 2023

Emirates flies all over the globe and, like most other international carriers, it caters for passengers of varying economic backgrounds. Therefore, the airline provides its passengers with a selection of seating options, ranging from economy class, business class and the pinnacle of comfort travel, first class.

Most air travellers can be divided into two categories, namely, short-haul and long-haul. Basically, your comfort requirements depend on the distance you are travelling, so sitting in economy section for a two-hour flight is really of no appreciable hardship. On the other hand, there are many and various reasons for opting to go first class and even a two-hour flight can be made all that more comfortable and relaxing when basking in the luxury of the first-class section of the aircraft. But it’s when on a long-haul flight that first class really comes into its own.

So, the question that should be asked when deciding to go the first-class route: “is flying first class with Emirates worth it?” In other words, is the extra cost worth it?

What is included in the ticket price?

First, your ticket includes EVERYTHING, from complimentary chauffeur-driven transfers (including Wi-Fi) to your departure point and from your destination to the facilities in the departure lounge and all the drinks (including Dom Perignon champagne) and meals (sometimes generously caviar rich) in the lounge and on the aircraft itself. Wi-Fi is freely available in the lounge and on board.

Is there a dress code for Emirates first-class?

There is no laid down dress code for first-class passengers, so you can dress as comfortably as you want, which, when you come to think of it, is a “dress code” in its own sense.

What amenities are offered in the first-class lounge?

Emirates first-class is an exceptional way to travel. And it's not only about the onboard amenities on the flagship Emirates A380 (with variations, like no shower, on the Boeing 777) the experience begins the moment you arrive at the dedicated check-in facility at Dubai International airport where you are quickly, efficiently, and smoothly ushered through. Your next stop is the first-class lounge where everything you could require – from mini appetiser stations, a bar, spa treatments, a place to take a quick nap or even enjoy a substantial sit-down meal – is available for you. Multi-level boarding takes place directly from the lounge where you are escorted by a crew member to your suite and within moments of settling in you are offered a welcome drink, usually a glass of champagne. During the flight, you can choose from a range of refreshments ranging from humble mineral water to exquisite Dom Perignon champagne to just about everything else in between. The in-flight experience is further enhanced by highly trained specialist flight attendants attending to your every need.

What is the seating like in Emirates first-class?

The suite is ornate and superb. It contains a luxuriously comfortable seat (converting to a bed) facing a 27-inch screen and you are provided with an iPad-like device that gives you remote control of every element of the suite and its state-of-the-art seat. There are no overhead bins, so your belongings are within arm's reach without cramping the space in the suite in any way. Even at full stretch, your legs will not touch anything stowed under the entertainment screen.

The wireless remote control makes basically every element of the experience easy. The seat's positions can be changed from take-off mode to dining mode, lounging mode and, best of all, to bed mode. Furthermore, these modes can even be customised to your personal taste. One advantage of the physical placement of the first-class compartment is that when the plane takes off it is so smooth, quiet and calm that as a passenger you hardly feel it at all.

Are you able to sleep comfortably in Emirates first-class?

It's when your seat is in bed mode that your Emirates first-class experience really comes into its own. The bed is bedecked with the finest high thread count bed linen, a memory foam mattress topper, and a large pillow. In addition, Emirates provides you with the world's first moisturizing sleepwear range (pyjamas) to ever be developed for an airline, slippers, and a huge amenity kit bag. Emirates has partnered with luxury Italian brand Bulgari for the designs of its exclusive amenity kit bags, which rank among the best in the airline industry. The fine leather amenity kits feature Bulgari's skincare essentials to help you feel fresh and pampered throughout the flight. To get even more comfortable, each passenger also receives an "inspiration kit" featuring luxury Byredo skincare.

In lounging mode, the Emirates first class seat beats the very best land-based theatre seat hands down, while the selection of entertainment you can choose from is, in a word, vast.

What is flying in first-class on Emirates like?

Now for those travellers used to being offered the bland "chicken or beef" option on in-flight food, first class is a different world altogether. Emirates provides exceptional dine-on-demand haute cuisine selected from Middle Eastern, Arabic, European and Asian favourites to tickle anyone's palate. World-class wines accompany the beautifully plated and presented servings. Not a plastic bowl in sight; crystal glassware, fine china and cutlery are the order of the day.

The onboard lounge on the upper deck of Emirates' A380 aircraft has become somewhat of an iconic feature. The lounge features a horseshoe-shaped bar with seating arrangements along the windows on both sides of the bar. Each seating area has a table and window view, accentuated by glossy dark wood trim. The lounge also features a large TV screen.

While you may feel that you are literally sleeping on the clouds when your seat is in bed mode and you are cuddled up for the night, there is nothing more refreshing than taking a shower above the clouds at 40,000 feet either before going to bed or waking up after a good night’s sleep. The shower suite (with heated floor) is huge and has a dedicated staff member to ensure that it is stocked with fresh towels, necessary toiletries as well as luxury skincare and hair products. There is enough space in the bathroom area to comfortably change into fresh clothing. Because of limitations in water capacity, shower time is restricted to about 5 minutes, but this should prove to be more than adequate for the average traveller.

Emirates has gone out of its way to provide its first-class flyers with the very best in terms of seat comfort, food, service or wines and champagne. If you have saved up enough frequent flier miles – Skywards - or if you afford the price of a ticket, travelling Emirates A380 (Boeing 777) in first class is an experience you won't soon forget.

So, if you are still wondering if flying Emirates first class is worth it, having read the above, judge for yourself! We at Flight Centre give Emirates first-class two thumbs up and 5 stars!

So why not contact us, get a quote and book your first-class ticket today, we look forward to hearing from you!