Review: Emirates Boeing 777 First Class (DXB-CDG)
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Emirates First Class
For this Emirates First Class flight, I redeemed 150,000 Alaska miles and $70 Cdn in taxes.
The itinerary included a detour via Paris: DXB-CDG-DXB-YYZ, i.e., 3 flights in First Class for the price of just one!
That’s 28 hours of flights for a distance of 13,418 miles (21,594 km)!
To give you an idea, the whole thing could have cost me around $50,000!!! Whereas with a few Alaska credit cards over the years… 😉
Some people thought I was crazy to detour via Paris. Who would want to do a one-day loop just to stay on a plane and in a lounge? I think I’m becoming an avgeek.
I couldn’t miss this opportunity, which ends in March 2021! After March 31, 2021, it will no longer be possible to use Alaska miles to book Emirates First Class.
And with Alaska Airlines joining Oneworld, it was a chance to “burn” miles for a one-of-a-kind experience!
Here are the details of my two flights in the new Emirates First Class.
The next review will follow with the old B777 First Class product between Dubai and Toronto.
At Dubai International Airport
I left my hotel, the Sheraton Grand Dubai at 5 am since my Emirates flight left at 8 am and I wanted to take my time.
I was hoping to stop by one of the Emirates First lounges to have lunch, but it was closed. I fell back on the Emirates Business lounge, perfectly fine but already very busy even though we were in the middle of COVID-19. Thankfully, the lounge is really huge.
I’ll write up a recap in a future article about the Emirates lounges, Business and First.
Once at the airport, only passengers with a flight are allowed to enter the terminal.
I couldn’t check in online, so I went to a kiosk.
I only travel with a carry-on suitcase, so the process is simplified. No delays announced.
So after my time in the lounge, I head to my gate. The boarding area is somewhat austere: dark and dated.
My boarding pass is checked again and the crew has already started boarding families. I let them know I’m here with a First ticket. The agent asks me to wait a few moments. A flight attendant actually comes to greet me and directs me to a bus reserved for First Class.
Actually, I’ll be the only First Class passenger onboard, so I’ll be reassured about COVID-19!
Alone on this bus, I’m having fun taking pictures of the tarmac.
Boarding
When I get on the plane, the team greets me and introduces itself.
Let’s say it right away; the flight attendant who took care of me for the whole flight was exceptional and allowed me to live a dream experience.
She directs me to my seat, lets me settle in and comes back to explain to me how certain elements of my Suite work.
You should know that Emirates flights had resumed just a few weeks earlier. My flight attendant told me it was finally a pleasure for her to be back at work despite all the added constraints.
She had gotten used to wearing goggles, a mask, and a gown. In-flight service had also been back almost to normal for about a week.
So having a First experience wouldn’t have been worth it under these conditions, since I would have been deprived of that very particular Emirates service.
Business class cabin
I walk around the aircraft a bit to get a glimpse of the business class seats. What is striking when entering this cabin: the luxurious and chic side thanks to the colours chosen with the beige leathers and gold accessories.
The seating arrangement is 7 seats in a row, 2-3-2, with a fixed divider partition between the seats. The whole thing seems a bit cramped when I compare it with my first-class golden suite! Especially for the person who takes the middle seat.
The first class cabin
A beautiful light enters the cabin.
The layout here is 1-1-1. Either a central Suite and one on each side of the aircraft. A total of 6 Suites are available. But like I said, I’d be the only passenger that day.
So I was able to enjoy two Suites: one for landing and takeoff to get a better view outside, and the other for the entire flight, with virtual windows.
When you enter the cabin, a ghaf tree motif (desert trees) is on the main wall. Notice the cabin ceilings too: they’re “cathedral” style to give a sense of height, with indirect lighting.
In the Suites, the overhead light also has several spotlights.
The Suite
The 1-1-1 cabin layout is extremely rare: just 6 Suites in total, each with aisle access. Each Suite has a sliding door and floor-to-ceiling walls for maximum privacy, which is truly exceptional.
If there are two of you, it is best to book Suites 1A+ 1E or 2F + 2K to have the doors and windows aligned.
The materials are high quality: leather for the seat, suede for the walls, and gold trim.
Please note that fresh orchids are displayed both inside and outside the Suite in a small display. A nice touch of colour.
The seat
In normal mode
The leather seat is very comfortable and wide, like a throne! The Mercedes-Benz S-Class inspired the airline to design it.
Lighting is integrated on each side of the armrests, varying according to the type of ambiance chosen:
There is a storage area for small personal belongings and 4 buttons to easily change the seat layout (these functions are more complete on the screen) on one edge of the armrest. Also on the slice, a plug is available.
On the other side, there’s a remote with a very pleasant design that fits the shape of your hand.
In bed mode
In lie-flat mode, the seat slides under the console, leaving a really nice amount of legroom. You end up in zero-gravity mode, a NASA-derived technology for even weight distribution.
Here’s what it looked like on my second CDG – DXB night flight:
The flight attendant will make my bed, even though we’re in COVID-19 time:
In other words, I took less advantage of my second flight of the Suite and preferred to rest to be in shape for my third flight. It had been a long but fabulous day. I was more than happy to have a flat bed like this in the air!
Before falling asleep in this comfortable bed, I couldn’t help but have a little photo shoot 🙂
Each Suite has 3 windows. The ones in the center of the cabin have the advantage of actually being LED virtual windows! Thanks to the aircraft’s cameras, you can see what’s happening outside live, just like those on the outer sides!
And of course, what could be better than having curtains you can close:
We find a design inspired by flowers
At sunrise, I’m blown away by this cabin.
The bar counter and its accessories
When I arrived at my Suite, a snack basket and other items were waiting for me (including a tube of hydration tablets, disinfectant wipes, mint lozenges), as well as a kit that included binoculars.
I found the same basket of goodies on my other two flights.
Here are the details of what is proposed:
On my night flight (2/3), a hygiene kit was also set out on the counter.
Indeed, for passengers who have chosen the Windows Suite, binoculars are available to enjoy the scenery even more! I loved feeling like a little explorer. The binoculars are of very high quality, normally made for safaris.
The view of the Burj Al Arab, the Marina and the Jumeirah palm grove is splendid.
Each Suite has a counter space occupying the entire width of the Suite. It includes a dressing table, a huge integrated mirror with lighting on each side and several presents:
- Byredo skincare products including eye cream and face mist
- an Emirates pen
- a notebook with the Emirates brand on it.
Everything was well protected probably because of the sanitary measures in place:
When the mirror is folded down, the countertop leaves a beautiful smooth work surface and conceals underneath, a shelf that can be pulled out or retracted for meals:
You can plug in your devices thanks to Canadian 110V power, USB, and HDMI ports hidden in the console. The crew can also provide an adapter if needed.
A 32-inch high-definition personal TV sits in the center. The picture quality is superb, and I really loved being able to watch live takeoff/landing views from my seat on that screen!
On each side of the TV screen is a personal bar. You can leave with whatever’s there if you want to. I, for one, left the soft drinks behind to concentrate on hydration. I preferred to bet on the selection of alcohols, much more interesting!
I note that one of the two bars spaces offers fewer products on the Suites located by the windows due to the aircraft’s curvature.
Finally, the legroom is huge. Even with my legs stretched out, I don’t touch the console! I used that space for my Away suitcase.
The side counter
Each Suite has a side counter that is more accessible when you are seated and belted. On it rests a fixed screen. By pressing the central button, you can lift the screen from its base and thus have it freely in your hands.
This touchscreen tablet lets you access the entertainment systems like a remote, change your seat position, or even call a crew member if you need something via video call!
Several elements are inserted in the counter below the screen:
- gold buttons let you adjust the window shades, with 3 modes possible thanks to motorized blinds (open, half-closed, closed);
- an air outlet;
- a little side shelf;
- A little plan to set up some effects.
Here again, it is possible to observe the views from the external cameras directly on the screen.
There’s also a hidden USB port that’s more accessible than the one in the main console if you can’t get up during turbulence.
Wall screen
Another wall screen sits opposite the secondary console on the suede wall, and lets you adjust the colors and intensity of the lights, as well as the temperature. Cold? Set it however you like!
You’ll control all the lighting on either side of the Suite: on the ceiling, the two lamps above the seat, on the wall behind the seat, at the armrests, and even on the floor! EVERYWHERE!
You can also check on this screen whether the lavatories are free.
Storage
The Suite offers several storage spaces:
- a closet located under the main counter (unfortunately my Away cabin suitcase did not fit there);
- a mirrored closet with a coat hook, and in the door you’ll find the aircraft guide and the headphones;
- one or two magazine racks above the two mini-bars (depending on whether you’re in the center or by the window);
- storage above the armchair reserved for the blanket and pillow.
Emirates accessories
You should know that on daytime flights, no amenity kit or pajamas are normally given. It’s up to you to ask for them, and the crew can’t refuse.
The headphones are also high quality with ambient noise reduction (Bowers & Wilkins).
Wi-Fi on board
This aircraft has free onboard Wi-Fi that you can use with your Emirates app (you need to create a free Emirates Skywards account).
The service
Emirates’ onboard service is excellent. I loved my meals on the first and third flight but was more mixed on the second. Maybe because of fatigue too (and it was a night flight to Dubai).
What is remarkable is the implementation of the entire service. Everything is arranged meticulously and always in the same way.
Here is to start the menus of the alcoholic beverages and meals that were proposed to me:
I always started my flights with an orange juice before take-off and an Arabic coffee traditionally served with a date.
Finally, in the air, it was time for me to be served a glass of champagne from the so famous Dom Pérignon Vintage 2008 (about 250 CA$ a Bottle).
I might as well say that I took advantage of it during my flights.
For my first flight, after asking the flight attendant for advice and appreciating the cognac, I chose to do a tasting of two exceptional cognacs:
- Hennessy Paradis ($2,430 at the SAQ…)
- Tesseron Cognac Lot 29 (1,200 $…)
I was able to enjoy some canapés with my cognac.
I then continued with the tasting of 3 white wines:
- Château de Tracy 101 Rangs Pouilly Fumé 2016
- Condrieu DePoncins François Villard 2016
- Chablis 1er Cru Vau de Vey 2016 Jean-Marc Brocard
I continued with the tasty caviar.
I tried the traditional Arabic mezze on the first flight, then the paprika chicken with quinoa salad.
I couldn’t continue my meal without trying the red wines! So, another tasting on the first flight with:
- Château Cos d’Estournel 2005, St-Estèphe, France
- Château de Pressac 2010, Saint-Émilion, France
- Brands of Murrieta Ygay Gran Reserva Rioja 2009
She gave me every single one of the corks as a souvenir. I was glad.
Also worth noting: once opened, each bottle is kept until the end of the flight and then put out in the Emirates lounges. No waste! That wasn’t the case until fairly recently.
You’ll tell me that’s a lot of alcohol. It’s true. But I knew the opportunity wouldn’t come around again and that it might be my only chance in a lifetime to drink these exceptional wines. And after all, I had 28 hours of flying to do, plus a quarantine on arrival… 😀
Plus, my flight attendant was incredibly attentive and knew I was doing a report on my flight, so she was happy to open the bottles for me. She took away the glasses I liked less. And thankfully my glass of water was never far away!
For the main course, I chose the Thai shrimp curry, and on the way back the beef tenderloin with corn sauce. Unfortunately, I enjoyed the second one less, but as I said, I think my appetite just wasn’t there, unfortunately.
And finally, what could be better than ending with a chocolate brownie and a selection of Arabic pastries, paired with a dessert wine: a Château Rayne Vigneau 2007, Sauternes, France. Everything was delicious and well put together.
On my return to Dubai, I got a fruit plate with a coffee for lunch.
The bathroom
Unfortunately, no shower like you find in some First classes. So it’s a small washroom, clean and well laid out, with even a changing table for a child.
I took the opportunity to put on my Emirates pajamas—I actually kept them because they’re so comfortable. They’re supposed to prevent the skin from dehydrating and becoming irritated.
My arrival at CDG
I arrived after about 7 hours of flying at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, very satisfied with this first flight—I was over the moon!
I observed various aircraft on the tarmac belonging, for example, to Air Canada, Singapore Airlines and Air France while seeing a copy of the Concorde.
My second flight wasn’t leaving until about 6 hours later, so I settled into the Paul Maxence lounge, since the Emirates lounge was closed. I’ll tell you about it in another report.
My arrival in Dubai
After the second night flight, the early-morning arrival was magnificent, with the glow of the sun and mist over the desert sand. An image that brings this fantastic second flight to a close.
When I got off the plane, an Emirates employee was waiting for me with his sign. I was able to get a ride in a cart to the safety lines.
The agent helped me through security and got me into the Emirates First Class lounge quickly so I could enjoy a maximum break of about an hour before taking my third and final Emirates flight in First Class to Toronto! Wow!
To compare this New First Class with the old one on the B777, check out the rest of my experience with my 3rd flight here:
Conclusion
I was able to live an unforgettable and exceptional experience in flight. I felt very fortunate to be able to live these moments and enjoy the products offered by Emirates.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $799 |
