Short but suite!

Experiencing Emirates first class usually means flying a long flight and going through Dubai, but there are a handful of short fifth-freedom routes where you can experience EK luxury for comparatively low cost in dollars or miles. Since getting to BKK from the US means stopping somewhere anyway, I opted to route through Hong Kong just so I could follow up my Cathay first class review with a little more luxury and a shower at 35,000 feet 😉 Because this was a short flight, I missed out on the full meal experience, but otherwise this was as first class as it gets…

Seatlink’s take

As perhaps one the of the most well-known and most-photographed suites product in the air, there’s no denying that Emirates has created a unique experience with their flagship A380 — the highlight and main differentiator being the two shower suites at the front of the cabin. I have to say that being able to take a shower an hour before arrival is one of the greatest luxuries you’ll find in the air.

The Emirates first class 24″ video screen

While you really only technically have 5 minutes, it felt like enough time for me, and arriving refreshed with no need to head to an arrivals lounge is simply awesome. For that reason alone I highly recommend the Emirates A380 if it fits your travel schedule and you don’t mind flying through Dubai — more on that experience in my review of Emirates 777-200LR and 777-300ER First class to Johannesburg…

Which seat and why

The first class cabin is pretty large on the Emirates A380, and with the exception of rows 1 and 4 (seats A and K) you’re pretty well set in terms of avoiding galley/lav noise. As always, I have a preference for the window seat as I generally travel solo, but the middle seats are a great option for pairs as you can either lower or raise the partition between the suites depending on what you desire.

The view from one A380 suite to another on Emirates

I was in 3K and was happy with all aspects of that location in the cabin. Some quick notes on window seats:

1. these have slightly more storage space than the middle seats
2. the curvature of the cabin wall may make these suites feel more enclosed than the middle ones
3. avoid row 1 window seats as these are close to the lav

Photos of Emirates A380 first class

The view from one A380 suite to another on Emirates

Emirates first class noise canceling headphones

Window shade controls

There’s even a seat in the first class shower!

Generous luggage storage space (no overhead bins)

Plenty of bathroom amenities in Emirates first

The huge Emirates first class bathroom

Emirates first class power port

You get your own personal bar on Emirates First

The Emirates first class 24″ video screen

The Emirates A380 First Class cabin

Emirates first class seat

A little Dom Perignon to start out my Emirates Suites experience

Lots of stowage space on the EK A380

Emirates first class amenity kit by Bulgari

The Emirates A380 first class shower suite

Two USB charging ports which is nice

Suite & IFE remote control (and additional air vent)

The first class traytable

Integrated reading light and air vent

Each seat comes with a writing kit

Mid-flight snack of smoked salmon with caviar on Emirates

Here’s what the suites look like with their doors closed

Emirates first class shower

I love this about airbus aircraft!

Emirates first class seat controls – pretty much anything you can imagine!

Here’s what the Emirates shower timer looks like

Alone at last in my Emirates first class suite

Extra storage for bedding

At the end of the day…

Worth going out of your way to experience the Emirates A380? Yes, entirely worth it. It may not be my favorite suite in the air — there’s a lot going on and it feels a bit less roomy than Singapore and Asiana — but flying the Emirates A380 is a must if for no other reason than having the ability to take a shower at 35,000 feet and hit the ground running at your destination.

The Emirates A380 first class shower suite

An onboard shower is truly luxurious and only offered by Emirates and Etihad, and Emirates has waaaayy more A380 routes than Etihad, and will for the foreseeable future. I would definitely say Emirates first class is a worthwhile points redemption if your travels take you on one of their routes. I didn’t sleep on this particular flight, but I’ve slept in Emirates suites on the 777 and I definitely got some good rest, so the suites are a win when it comes to redeye flights.

What are Your Thoughts on Emirates first class?

If you’ve flown the Emirates A380, let us know in the comments below! Or better yet, write a review of your seat here: link 🙂

The verdict

Reviewed by

Seatlink

Date

2016-12-16

Airline/cabin

Emirates A380 First Class

Rating

5