Flying Emirates A380 First Class is an experience like no other. From on-demand caviar service to Dom Pérignon before takeoff to a full in-air shower, it’s one of the most extravagant first-class products available today.
I lucked into this redemption thanks to a last-minute Emirates award alert from Roame. I had 150,000 Emirates Skywards miles set to expire, and I wasn’t sure how to use them—until I got an alert for a First Class redemption from Dubai (DXB) to San Francisco (SFO).
The ticket cost 186,000 miles and ~$878 in fees (quite pricey), but since my miles were expiring and I needed to fly this route, it was a good way to burn them. I expected the standard Emirates A380 First Class, but when I boarded, I was surprised to discover this was a newly refurbished Emirates A380 with the updated First Class product.
While not as private as the “Game Changer” 777 First Class, this newer A380 still delivered an exceptional experience.
I redeemed Emirates Skywards miles for my flight found on Roame for this trip. This redemption cost 186,000 Skywards miles + $878 in taxes and fees. While that’s on the higher side, both in terms of miles and cash, I already had 150,000 miles that were about to expire, so it was a great use of them.
If you don’t have miles, Emirates Skywards miles are easy to earn. All major transferable points currencies, including Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou transfer to Skywards.
To find availability, I had Roame award alerts set up for Emirates First Class redemptions, and I jumped on this seat as soon as I got the alert.
The lounge itself is one of the largest in the world, offering multiple dining areas, relaxation spaces, shower suites, a cigar lounge, a full bar, and a spa. The sheer size makes it feel more like an upscale airport terminal than a traditional lounge.
The dining options are extensive, with buffet and à la carte service available 24/7. Emirates serves Moët & Chandon champagne in the dedicated Moët bar, along with a full cocktail and wine menu featuring premium selections from the in-flight wine list. The food selection includes Middle Eastern, Asian, and Western cuisine, ensuring there’s something for everyone. I had a great Wagyu burger before my flight.
Overall, the Emirates First Class Lounge at DXB is one of the most impressive in the world, with a seamless boarding experience and an unmatched level of space and luxury.
The cabin has no overhead bins, which creates a more open feel, but that means all luggage must be stored in your suite. This intruded on legroom, and once the bed was fully flat, it became difficult to access stored items.
Despite that, the refurbished A380 First Class cabin looks and feels more sophisticated, even if the 14-seat layout makes it less private than some competitors.
As soon as I settled into my suite, the exceptional Emirates First Class crew came by to introduce themselves and offer the first round of pre-departure amenities. Emirates is known for its hospitality and attention to detail, and this flight was no exception.
First, I was provided a BVLGARI amenity kit, which was well-stocked with premium toiletries. Inside, there was a dental kit, a shaving kit, and a variety of BVLGARI-branded skincare products. It was one of the more comprehensive amenity kits I’ve received in First Class.
Next, the crew presented me with Emirates’ signature moisturizing pajamas, which are surprisingly lightweight and breathable, despite how warm they might look. I found them to be some of the most comfortable airline pajamas out there.
To go along with the pajamas, Emirates also provides slippers, which are more like slip-on shoes than simple slippers, making them easy to wear around the cabin.
A dedicated Emirates tote bag was also provided, something unique to the A380 First Class experience. The bag is designed to carry your personal items to and from the shower suite, which is nice and adds to the spa-like feel of the flight.
At my seat, I also found a pair of Bowers & Wilkins noise-canceling headphones. These had excellent sound quality and strong noise cancellation.
Emirates offers one of the best in-flight entertainment systems in the world with their ICE (Information, Communication, Entertainment) system on the A380. With thousands of movies, TV shows, live channels, and music selections, the selection is vast, ensuring there’s something for everyone. The touchscreen controller made browsing easy, and the system was fast and responsive.
Wi-Fi is available onboard, provided by OnAir, though speeds are among the slowest in the skies. While connectivity is good enough for basic messaging and web browsing, streaming is not always reliable.
Emirates offers complimentary Wi-Fi for Skywards members flying in First Class, so I was able to log in and use free Wi-Fi for the entire flight. For those not eligible for free Wi-Fi, a full-flight pass costs $19.99, which isn’t bad given the length of this ultra-long-haul route. There’s also a cheaper messaging-only option for passengers who just want to stay connected via WhatsApp or iMessage.
Emirates does not offer Wi-Fi coverage for the entire flight, particularly when flying polar routes. Wi-Fi cut out for a significant portion of the flight, longer than I expected based on the connectivity map.
The Emirates A380 First Class shower suite is one of the most unique experiences in commercial aviation.
At the front of the cabin, there are two large shower suites, which feel more like a spa than an airplane lavatory.
Each First Class passenger gets five minutes of hot water, but you can pause the water flow to extend the experience. I was expecting low water pressure, but it was surprisingly strong—similar to an eco-friendly shower head at home.
Everything was clean, well-maintained, and stocked with high-end toiletries, making the entire experience luxurious and refreshing.
Taking a hot shower at 40,000 feet is something every aviation enthusiast should experience at least once, and this remains one of the biggest reasons to fly Emirates A380 First Class.
Emirates offers on-demand dining, meaning you can order anything from the menu at any time during the flight.
Before takeoff, I was offered Dom Pérignon 2015 and Dom Pérignon Rosé 2008. Naturally, I tried both. It’s rare to see Dom Rosé served on a flight, so this was a great way to start the experience.
The highlight of Emirates First Class dining is the unlimited caviar service. You can order as much as you want, and it comes with traditional accompaniments and generous portions. While it’s excellent, I wouldn’t recommend treating it like an all-you-can-eat buffet. It’s quite salty, and you’ll want to save room for other dishes.
For dinner, I ordered the Chicken and Lemongrass Consommé, but it was disappointing, the soup tasted burnt.
The main course, Tandoori Lobster with saffron rice and a creamy sauce, was much better, but I found myself wanting a bit more seasoning.
To pair with dinner, I had the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon from Dominus Estate Christian Moueix, a Napa Valley wine that was a fantastic choice.
Later in the flight, I decided to try the salmon poke bowl and seasonal salad, both of which were fresh and flavorful. I would have normally ordered the wagyu burger, but I had already indulged in one at the Emirates First Class Lounge in Dubai before the flight.
Overall, the dining experience was impressive but not flawless. The caviar and wine selection were top-tier, but some dishes, like the soup, fell short.
- Food Quality: 8/10
- Drinks Quality: 9/10
- Cleanliness: 10/10
- Cabin Design: 8/10
- Seat: 7/10
- Service: 9/10
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