What’s It Like to Fly Emirates Business Class on a Long Haul Trip?

I recently had the opportunity to fly in Emirates Business Class cabin for the first time from Dublin to Sydney via Dubai for a work trip. 

What is business class like on Emirates Airlines? Read on to find out how my business class experience stacked up in practice on the Emirates Boeing 777 service from Dublin to Dubai and the Emirates Airbus A380 long haul service from Dubai to Sydney. 

How Did a United 1K Star Alliance Girl End Up Flying Emirates Business Class?

I currently have 1K status on United but don’t fly enough to maintain that status and check out other airlines on the side. 

So, how did I end up on an Emirates Business Class itinerary from Dublin to Sydney? The simple answer is: The Beast from the East. 

My Dublin to Sydney itinerary was originally booked via London and South Korea on Asiana Airlines, a member of the Star Alliance. I’d even built in a couple extra days in London before the long haul to make sure there would be no issues if I encountered slight delays. 

I showed up at the airport on Wednesday, the day before the brunt of the snow storm was supposed to land in Ireland, hoping to make it out to London. 

Watching the Departures board at Dublin Airport, flights started to be marked CANCELLED. My flight continued to be listed, one of the only ones that still hadn’t been called off. 

Then Aer Lingus made the decision to cancel all remaining flights that day. After 10 hours at the airport (starting at 4 am), I was going nowhere. 

The storm was predicted to hit on Thursday and Ireland was expected to be incapacitated with the airport closed at least through Friday evening. What could I do? 

I figured that on Saturday, I’d be more likely to get out of Dublin on an international long haul rather than a flight to London. 

On a whim, I checked the prices on an Emirates flight. At around 4500 EUR for the last minute fare, it was definitely more expensive than what I’d paid on my original business class flights on Asiana but I had no choice but to book it. 

I needed to get to Sydney for work. Thus, my Emirates Business Class odyssey began.

Emirates Business Class Free Chauffeur Pick-Up Service

I was excited to learn that Emirates Business Class passengers get free chauffeur service to and from the airport at your origin and destination. 

This worked out really well for me since The Beast from the East storm meant that there were fewer taxis working on the date of my departure. 

I was picked up in a black sedan by a driver wearing a jacket and tie. Very fancy and very helpful. I could get used to this.

Emirates Business Class Boeing 777 Service from Dublin to Dubai

Let’s explore my journey from Dublin to Dubai and get a sense for what Emirates Business Class service includes.

Emirates 777 Business Class Seat

After a couple hour delay due to lingering weather issues, I finally boarded an Emirates 777 for my flight from Dublin to Dubai. What does Emirates Business Class look like? 

The seat felt a bit like a throne with a large TV screen and faux wood paneling. 

A pillow, blanket, and noise cancelling headphones awaited me. Of course, there was plenty of legroom on the Emirates 777 aircraft.

from left: 

(1-3) Emirates Business Class seat on a Boeing 777.

(4) Veuve Clicquot champagne in Emirates Business Class.

Veuve Clicquot Champagne

I soon learned that Emirates is all about champagne. I enjoyed a glass of Veuve Clicquot as we awaited take-off.

Cocktails and Premium Nuts

After take-off, the flight attendants came around to take our drink order. In Emirates Business Class, you can order a signature cocktail to accompany your premium warm nuts. 

There were 12 cocktails on the menu. I opted for a classic Cosmopolitan.

From left:

(1) Champagne and cake in the Emirates Business Class Lounge in Dubai International Airport.

(2) Champagne aboard an Airbus a380 Emirates Business Class service.

(3) Pink champagne in the Emirates Business Class Lounge.

(4) Cocktails and mixed nuts aboard Emirates Business Class service.

A Three-Course Meal Aboard Emirates Business Class

The food on the Emirates Business Class 777 service was fantastic. We were served a gourmet three course meal with fine wines. 

The main course portions were a good size. Dessert was a little smaller but the chocolate fudge brownie that I had was rich and dense. I definitely felt satisfied at the end of the meal.

Mattress Service

Once the dishes were cleared, the flight attendants came around and asked if we would like a mattress. A thin cushion covered in a sheet was then placed over the seat. 

Emirates Business Class seats on the 777 recline flat so it was like creating a bed for the night.

Stars at Night

Once the lights in the cabin were dimmed, pinpoints of light appeared on the ceiling emulating the stars above.

Emirates Fast Track Service in Dubai

Emirates Business Class also entitles you to Fast Track Service in Dubai. This isn’t really that valuable unless you haven’t gotten a boarding pass yet and need to speak to an agent. Also, if your final stop is Dubai, Fast Track should help you speed through immigration. 

If you are traveling on super long haul flights like I was, you may want to consider spending three or four days in Dubai en route. 

The Emirates Business Class Lounge in Dubai

All roads (or should I say flight paths) on Emirates lead to the Middle East and more specifically to Dubai.

I headed straight to one of the Emirates Business Class lounges upon my arrival at Dubai International Airport. I showed my onward ticket at the entrance and was soon admitted to a lavish lounge experience. 

The lounge that I visited extended across the entire upper floor of the airport terminal. I looked down and could see passengers milling about or hurrying to their gates below. 

From end-to-end, the Emirates lounge was at least 500 meters in my estimation. 

In the Emirates Business Class Lounge in Dubai, you’ll find food choices from around the world at different stations. Voss water from Norway is the standard non-alcoholic beverage. 

Of course, I stopped into the Champagne Lounge for a glass of bubbles before looking for a quiet corner to take a nap.

The lounge was fairly quiet when we landed (in the middle of the night in Dubai). My layover was about 10 hours. 

The lounge was fairly quiet when we landed (in the middle of the night in Dubai). My layover was about 10 hours.