When Emirates business class Airlines encourages you to board their A380 for a five-day trip to Dubai, you don’t think twice. Just do it.
This was a journey with many firsts, including my first business class flight. My first flight with Emirates Airlines. This is my first time in the UAE. My first fifteen-hour flight. This is my first time traveling so far across the globe in such a short period of time.
I’d say that was the first time I was instructed to put on more clothing, but I topped it up in Rome when I formed a long ass queue outside the Pantheon, so my friend could dig a scarf out of her luggage to cover my cleavage. Ugh.
Emirates Complimentary Black Car Service
First and foremost, if you purchase Business or First Class, you will receive a complimentary black vehicle service within 70 miles of the airport. This was very useful for me because I live an hour outside of Los Angeles and refuse to ask friends for transportation to the airport (the 405 is a pain in the a**). And after 15 hours of travel, you can expect the same thing when you arrive in Dubai at your hotel.
Business Class Is AAAAmazing!
There’s just no elegant way to put it. Emirates Business Class is beyond crazy. That is it. The story is over.
But, okay, you probably want to learn more. So, here we go.
You’ve hardly taken your seat before a glass of Veuve Cliquot is sent to you. I’m a Champagne enthusiast with a special place for “The Veuve,” so this alone won me over.
The setting in Business Class is fantastic. The seats are spaced, allowing for maximum seclusion. I reserved a window seat, which is THE BEST seat. Not just because you get a view, but also because else you’ll be in a seat that’s slightly further away from the window, or worse, in the middle of the row (this is only ideal).
The seat has unique characteristics that I have never seen before in my flying experience. Economy. The in-seat minibar contains sparkling water, flat water, and various soda and juice alternatives. Next to it was the entertainment controller. There is also a reading light, two USB ports, a 110V outlet, and a headphone jack.
I was really impressed by the noise-cancelling headphones and the 23-inch TV screen. People moan and rave about the ICE Entertainment System. I was underwhelmed by what I heard. I wanted to be able to watch a series of shows from start to finish. I felt like only a few seasons of series were available, so I found myself looking for new items more frequently than I would have preferred.
Eating and Drinking on Emirates
I don’t even know where to begin with this because food and drinking are my downfall. I want everything, and I want it now. Emirates delivers and then some. The dining scenario is ridiculous.
After boarding my flight in the late afternoon, the first meal I had was dinner.
It began with a yellow pepper and lemongrass soup served with red pepper and herb croutons. Pan-fried prawns were served atop wakame salad with pepper chevre, wasabi, and nigella seeds.
My main meal was a delicious miso-glazed cod served with edamame beans and steamed Kai-lan.
Dessert was a chocolate fudge brownie topped with a salted caramel profiterole and drizzled with caramel. Airplane desserts never wow me, but I enjoyed this one. Salted caramel appeals to my sweet palate.
Now let’s speak about drinks…
I drank wine for the majority of the flight. I began my dining experience with a delicious chardonnay and then switched to the dark side for the remainder of the evening after my main course arrived. My attendant made certain that my glass of California Cabernet Sauvignon remained full, exactly as I preferred.
After a food coma-induced snooze, I awoke and made my way to the plane’s crescent-shaped bar, which serves small snacks such as sushi. Yes, I did make sushi a snack item. That’s how serious this “situation” is.
The bartender was a cheerful, vivacious young woman who made me a dirty martini that was very delicious. I enjoy martinis, but wherever I go, they taste like gasoline and make me messed up after two drinks. This one was the ideal balance of drink-drank-drunk and flavor.
Sleeping on Emirates
I got a full night’s sleep on Emirates thanks to the alcohol and the chairs that lay completely flat. The servants will even prepare your bed for you. I curled up in my usual fetal position and slept soundly. I enjoyed how the cabin’s roof lit up with small lights that looked like stars as I was sleeping. They were weak enough not to appear as light.
Freshening Up on Emirates
Long-haul flights have an unusual effect on your mental and physical state. You go across so many time zones while remaining dressed in the same clothing you boarded in. No matter how cute you appear when you board the airline, you’ll look like trash after sitting in your seat for a couple, let alone fifteen, hours. And then everyone sees you wake up with bed head and stumble to the bathroom in the morning, completely dazed.
This is where Emirates’ toiletry bags really shine.
You are given a Bulgari toiletries bag that is tailored to both female and male travelers. You may expect to receive a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, Bulgari lotion, and Bulgari scent. I would have loved to have had a face wash, facial spray, and moisturizer in my luggage. To me, those are more important than the perfume, but oh well.
When you go to the restroom, you’ll find a stack of washcloths and a bright magnifying mirror to help you get back together.
The flight attendants know you’ll treat the bathroom like it’s your own, so they make sure to clean it after everyone uses it. That’s luxury.
ON FRONTIER AIRLINES LOL!
Travis and I discovered round-trip tickets to Austin, Texas for $44 each on Frontier. Fortunately, Trav’s height (he’s 6’6″ and growing every day) earned us an upgrade. Finally, we each had our own exit row. I suppose the travel gods were on our side.
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