Hello from Brussels where I’ve stepped off a 7-hour Emirates flight on its 777 “Game Changer” first class product…a product that is arguably the best first class suite in the sky, but a soft product that left me somewhat disappointed.
Emirates 777 “Game Changer” First Class: Spectacular Suite, Disappointing Service – My First Impressions
It has been seven years since I last flew in the “new” first class on Emirates (review here), which it continues to call a “Game Changer” even though it is only available on nine aircraft all these years later.
Compared to the older first class suite on the 777, it is indeed a game-changer and I’d argue this spacious suite remains the most comfortable, spacious, and private first class products available in the skies. The cabin finishes are beautiful and the seat is perfectly padded. With a huge screen, individual climate and lighting control, and superb bedding, I’d say this hard product edges out (slightly) first class on the A350-1000 on JAL, though I have yet to try the new Air France La Première First Class.
After breakfast I slept like a baby for four hours (part of me hated to spend the flight sleeping, but I’m jet lagged and recovering from Delhi Belly, so I appreciated the little snooze).
The pajamas are excellent…my favorite in the skies right now. They are super soft and can breathe.
So what fell short of expectations? Breakfast was served after takeoff (the flight departed at 7:55 am) and I thought the choices were limited. My omelet was fine, but I’ve had much better omelets on other carriers.
After my nap, the feast began. The caviar course was excellent and the Dom Pérignon Rosé was excellent.
The Arbaic mezze is so excellent out of Dubai and I loved the extras beyond the standard humus, grape leaves, and tabbouleh like falafel, kibbeh, and fattoush salad. Delicious!
I probably should have stopped there because the main course was a huge disappointment: the lamb was cooked so far beyond recognition that I did not finish it…and I’m generally pretty forgiving.
I ended with a cheese course and chocolate tart.
But more disappointing than the food was the service. I woke up a couple hours before landing for the meal and was totally ignored for almost 30 minutes (and my suite door was open). I realize that I could have just pressed the call button (and eventually did), but I don’t think that should be necessary in first class…I think that the FAs should have been more proactive in monitoring the cabins.
When I did call the FAs to begin meal service, there was 90 minutes left in the flight, which in theory should have been time for everything. I provided the full order and the caviar came quick, but once again the crew was not attentive. I finished the caviar and waited. Finally, the mezze came and I finished it…and waited. I waited and waited for the main course and it came (having been left in the oven far too long).
I waited again. The captain announced our descent into Brussels. My glass was empty, my plate was pushed way, but no one was coming.
Do I really have to push the call button after I finish each course? That’s not the kind of first class service I like.
With 40 minutes left in the flight, I finally flagged a FA down and asked her to bring the cheese and dessert at once. She seemed very agitated, not in the hostile sense, but because she was so stressed…because it wasn’t only me trying to finish my lunch, but the other four in the cabin (it was booked 5/6).
She brought over the cheese and dessert and I ate it…it was fine…but I felt too guilty ordering coffee with so little time left…again, not a feeling I should have in first class. Drink refills were not offered.
The pre-arrival service could have been so much better executed. The service flow was so perfect on my A380 flight because the flight attendants took charge and proactively executed service. Not so on this flight.
So was it was the best flight ever? No, not this one. The A380 flight the day before was perfect…this one was not.
I think it’s always appropriate to mention here that I am incredibly grateful to fly first class on Emirates and this sort of “first world problem” is not meant to condemn Emirates or gripe so much as it is to offer an honest comparison between this and other premium cabin products.
I don’t think you will find a more spacious and private suite and the entire drink list is phenomenal, but I was disappointed by the food and the service flow…it could have been better. Stay tuned for a full review.
Wow! So nice! Four photos this time!
Oh, and, umm, yeah I guess the First Class Suite and meals are nice, too…
🙂
From your last review: “I think a crew makes or breaks a flight, even with a great hard product like Emirates, and this crew could not have been better.” (Emirates A380 FC) While the A380 had the worse hard product, the crew on that flight were outstanding compared to this flight, and it changed your enjoyment of the flights.