Hello from Dubai, where I enjoyed a lovely but far too short journey on the Emirates A380 from Mumbai to Dubai…what a fabulous aircraft with an outstanding first class product!
Emirates A380 First Class – My First Impressions
The whole trip to India was built around this flight (and my connection tomorrow to Brussels), so my anticipation for this flight was high. This wasn’t my first time on an Emirates A380 in first class, but it has been several years and I could not wait. With Emirates restricting first class so much now (I booked my ticket with Skywards miles shortly before the first class restrictions were put into effect), this may also be my last first class flight in some time.
The cabin was booked only 4/12, which was made the experience even better. I had selected seat 2A but moved back to 3A when it became clear that no one was seated in the rear half of the cabin. A 4:25 am flight is not an ideal departure time, but I was determined to make the most of it.
The seat is spacious and while the somewhat gaudy woodgrain may be past its prime, the suite is well-maintained and extremely comfortable.
With my stomach still recovering, I went light on the food. Breakfast was served on this flight and I ordered a cheese omelet, which I thought would be safe enough, but skipped the Champagne and caviar (hoping my stomach would be ready the following day for my connection). The flight attendants were very concerned about my “Delhi Belly” and mothered me…the crew was just outstanding.
The purser, Miss Donna from the Philippines, was outstanding: proactive, gracious, welcoming, and attentive. So was Miss Hee, from South Korea, who simply fabulous. 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.
While my breakfast was being prepared, I headed back to the bar, where I found both passengers and crew watching the World Cup Belgium – US match live (yes, I delay my writing for my security…another sad matter for another time). It was kind of cool to watch that live in the air on Emirates…a fast-moving game too. When I got the bar it was 1-0 Belgium then the U.S. tied it, then Belgium scored again, and again, and again.
My focus, however, was on the bar itself…a lovely feature of this aircraft.
I returned to my seat and enjoyed a delicious breakfast…the omelet was good, but the cube-shaped cinnamon roll and the delicious rhubarb yogurt stole the show, along with fresh-squeezed orange juice and a cappuccino.
It was time for my shower, another lovely feature on the A380. I’ll have to do a separate post on this, but the huge lavatories include a showers…you are given five minutes of water (which you can turn off and on).
Refreshed, I returned to my suite where the suite across the aisle had been prepared for me to take a nap…
I was so sorry to get off this flight…I wish it had taken me all the way to Los Angeles.
Emirates remains an outstanding product…first class on the A380 is no longer the most cutting-edge suite, but the overall product is very difficult to beat.
Everything in this plane looks like the interior of a casino. Bright blinking lights everywhere. Like being seated in front of a slot machine…
I quite like the mood lighting.
I’m so glad to hear that your travel through Doha and now Dubai have gone well. It’s still a crazy time. You’re an inspiration. Hoping that peace and prosperity will return to the region, soon enough.
“It was time for my shower…” Great line for a flight. Did they present you with the customary fruit plate upon your return? As. Is. Tradition.
Also… Mr. Klint, you’re looking rather thin; working-out, I see; or, could it be… paging good doctor, Güntürk Üstün!
I just had my first EK F flights, MNL-DXB on 777 and DXB-JFK on A380. Both were fantastic, I loved them. Great crews and excellent service. Food isn’t life changing, except for the caviar service, but the options are extensive. The wines, though – just wow. I’ve always had the impression from photos that the bling was just too much, but truthfully it looks and feels much less blingy in person. Great experience!
I’ll just add the DXB F Lounge is an odd experience! It’s literally like sitting in a massive airport terminal all alone.
Fun fact, the Airbus A380 costs 445 million USD, which is 1/200th of what the estimated total of the USA/Iranian war is. That is almost double the size of Emirates A380 fleet, which is 116 planes. Safe travels, Matthew!
And, who could this be?!
The level of handsomeness is off the charts! No clue that this article is about, but my goodness he is handsome.
Glad the back end closed up to enjoy the flight
Or I hope it did and I’m glad you had the shower…
Yes Matthew is definitely the best looking Miles and Points guy out there.
“ I had selected seat 2A but moved back to 3A when it became clear that no one was seated in the rear half of the cabin.” WHY ?
So I didn’t have anyone across from me when I was taking pictures.
Nice shirt!
I just flew DXB – LAX 3 days ago in EK First. Time flew by. I had already spent 24 hours (the maximum allowed) in the DXB First Lounge to make the most of the experience. Overall count: 8 meals, 3 movies, and 6 hours of sleep. Would I do it again? Yessss!!