Emirates is known for its luxury commercial flights, but how good are they really? In this review, we’ll take a look at the service, food and amenities offered by Emirates Airlines.

Last 2019, I had the pleasure of flying with Emirates Business Class on two connecting flights. 

• Manila, Philippines to Dubai, UAE – Dubai, UAE to Lisbon, Portugal.
• Rome, Italy to Dubai, UAE – Dubai, UAE to the Manila, Philippines.

What is Emirates?

Emirates is one of the two United Arab Emirates’ national airlines (the other being nearby Etihad). The airline is a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, which is owned by Dubai’s Investment Corporation of Dubai. The airline is headquartered in Garhoud, Dubai. It is also the largest airline in the Middle East, operating more than 3,600 weekly flights from Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. It serves more than 150 cities in 80 countries spanning six continents with a fleet of nearly 300 aircraft.

In 2021, it was ranked fourth among the top ten airlines in the world according to CNBC. The airline also offer a loyalty program known as Emirates Skywards, which may be useful for those who fly to major international destinations via Dubai or on partner airlines such as Qantas and Japan Airlines.

Emirates Flights

Onboard the 777 and A380, Emirates Business Class is available on the majority of international destinations. Most major international airports have lounges or lounge partners, and the chauffeur service is a convenient addition.

The experience on board is luxurious, and the service is exceptional. If you want complete privacy, first class has spacious seats with closing doors, but business seats on the 777 are close to other passengers and interspersed in one cabin on the A380.

Emirates Business Class Lounge Access

Emirates Lounges are open 24 hours a day and are available to passengers traveling first or business class. The Moët & Chandon Champagne Lounge in Dubai features four of the brand’s champagnes as well as canapés created by Michelin-starred chefs. There are lounge rooms, a dining room, bar sections with complimentary wines, beer, and premium spirits, a Health Hub with salads and smoothies, designated quiet areas, and free WiFi in Dubai’s other Business Class Lounge in Concourses A, B, and C. You can board immediately from the lounge if your aircraft leaves from Concourse A.

Emirates Business Class Check-in

If an Emirates flight offers business class, a separate check-in counter will be available for business passengers. At check-in, bags are given priority tags, which means they will be the first off the baggage carousel upon arrival. If you’re entering the UAE, you’ll also receive a fast track pass for immigration.

Emirates Business Class Seats

Emirates Business Class Amenity Kits

Emirates Business Class Meals

Regardless of the duration of the flight, all meals in Emirates Business Class are served on Royal Doulton fine bone china with specially made Robert Welch silverware, a linen tablecloth, and napkins. Long-haul flights include breakfast, a snack (typically a tofu poke bowl or lamb pie), and a three-course lunch or supper including Middle Eastern, Indian, European, and Asian cuisines. One meal is served on short- and medium-distance flights. All include a juice selection (orange, watermelon, apple, mango, tomato), soft drinks, hot tea, or coffee.

Emirates Business Class Alcohol Selection

Complementary drinks include champagne, wine, beer, and a variety of alcoholic beverages including Aperol, Campari, Cointreau, Drambuie, Amarula Cream, Chivas Regal 18 year, Glenfiddich 15 year, Jura Superstition, Jameson, Tia Maria, Woodford Reserve, Hennessy X.O., Bacardi Superior rum, Belvedere vodka, and Sipsmith gin.

Emirates In-Flight Entertainment

Emirates Business Class seats come equipped with a tablet, a PSP controller, and a flat screen where you may enjoy movies and TV series; and listen to music. The choices range from classics to the newest releases. Although there are video games accessible, most of them are for the kids.

Emirates In-Flight Connectivity

If you are an Emirates Skywards member, you can use their WiFi services for free.

Free Unlimited Chat: As an Emirates Skywards Blue member flying in Business Class or an Emirates Skywards Gold member traveling in Economy Class, use WhatsApp, Messenger, and other SMS services with no extra charge.

Free Wi‑Fi internet for the whole flight : As an Emirates Skywards Blue member flying First Class or an Emirates Skywards Gold or Silver member flying Business Class or First Class, you may use complimentary Wi-Fi during your whole journey. If you are an Emirates Skywards Platinum member, you may use the complimentary Wi-Fi service in every cabin class the entire time you are flying.

Note: You must add your Emirates Skywards membership number to your reservation at least 24 hours before takeoff in order to access the complimentary Wi-Fi services. Add it online by using Manage Your Booking or the Emirates App.

For non Emirates Skyward members, here are the options:

Unlimited chat. Connect to all your favorite text apps for the whole flight

• $ 2.99– $ 5.99 depending on the length of the flight.
• Chat using WhatsApp, iMessage, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, Line or Viber with our text‑only service.

Wi‑Fi internet for the whole flight

• $ 9.99– $19.99 depending on the length of the flight. 

Easy connect—available in selected regions

• $ 9.99 for 30 minutes with no data limit.

Emirates Business Class Onboard Bar

If you’re sitting in the first few rows of the plane (the business class section), you will have access to the bar. The bar is a great place to socialize, make friends with your fellow travelers and kill time if you didn’t have any luck sleeping on your flight. It’s also where you can grab snacks without having to call for a flight attendant. Of course, if you need assistance of any kind, there are flight attendants more than happy to help.

In Emirates A380, First Class and Business Class passengers can enjoy more than 20 spirits on board. Pick from your favorite premium brands, such as time-honored favorites like Cointreau, Tesseron Cognac, and Amarula Fruit Cream, as well as others that are only available on Emirates flights. Additionally, you can pick from a variety of popular spirits that they served at Economy Class.

Sandwiches, snacks, and bite-sized desserts are also available for you to enjoy at the table or take back to your seat.

While the onboard bar is accessible to all travelers in business and first classes, it is not open to those traveling in premium economy or economy. Even if you have a friend traveling in a first-class cabin, they aren’t allowed to ‘guest’ you into the bar.

Emirates Business Baggage Allowance

Business class tickets include two checked pieces of luggage each weighing up to 31 kilograms.

Emirates Business Class Extras

On arrival, all business class passengers are given a warm towel, a welcome drink, and a plate of nuts. A “turndown” service is provided before bed, which includes chocolates, a mattress, and a full-size pillow. The bathrooms are large and include luxury goods. All Emirates passengers get access to over 2,000 movies.

For business class passengers, the A380 has a circular bar with leather chairs and tables. There is usually a bartender on duty, and you may help yourself to snacks including sandwiches, fruit, and cake. You may also carry newspapers and travel magazines back to your seat.

Booking Your Emirates Business Class Flight

How much does an Emirates business class ticket cost?

Ticket prices vary depending on the route and the time of year/week; tickets between cities in the Philippines and the UAE or to Europe often cost between $3,500 and $5,000.

How to Get a Free Upgrade to Business Class on Emirates

It is quite difficult to get a free upgrade with Emirates. Skywards members with a lot of points will occasionally get upgraded at random, which happens more frequently when a flight is overbooked.

How much does an upgrade to business class on Emirates cost?

The cost of an upgrade varies on the flight duration and route, and can range from $300 to $1,500.

How many miles do you need to get to Emirates business class?

Upgrades are determined by your original economy ticket (saver, flex or flex plus). A round trip ticket from New York to Dubai, for example, costs 190,000 miles with a saver ticket, 140,400 miles with a flex ticket, and 108,000 miles with a flex plus ticket.

Summary

Emirates Business Class is among the most luxurious, with a lounge access, incredibly comfy seats, first-rate service, and a wide range of food options. It is also one of the highest priced and most difficult to upgrade.