As part of a Southeast Asia trip with my brother, we specifically chose to position ourselves in Bangkok after a week-long stay in Bali, Indonesia, to fly on Emirates’ fifth freedom route from Bangkok to Hong Kong.
Having previously flown Emirates Business Class on their Airbus A380, which remains one of my most memorable flights, I was eager to experience the first class cabin and indulge in the renowned Emirates First Class experience, complete with the famous “shower in the sky” and unlimited Dom Perignon and caviar.
Let’s dive into one of the most extraordinary and aspirational experiences in commercial aviation, Emirates First Class on the A380.
Booking Emirates First Class
| First Class | Aircraft | Route | Flight Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| EK 384 | Airbus A380-800 | Bangkok to Hong Kong | 3 Hours |
You may be surprised to learn that we paid cash for our Emirates First Class flight. This is why we specifically chose the Bangkok to Hong Kong fifth freedom route that Emirates operates, as it’s one of the most affordable options for those looking to experience Emirates First Class on the Airbus A380 without shelling out an arm and a leg.
Fifth freedom routes are a fascinating aspect of aviation, allowing travelers who know which routes to look for the chance to fly with a specific airline between two countries, neither of which is the airline’s home base, often at a significantly lower cost.
Redeeming points for Emirates First Class has become much more difficult over recent years. Emirates’ own Skywards program is known for its extremely high surcharges on redemptions, which sometimes top $1,000, in addition to usually requiring well over 100,000 Emirates Skywards miles.
Air Canada Aeroplan members can also redeem points for Emirates First Class flights, but these flights are subject to separate dynamic award chart where prices are generally out of reach for most members.
Therefore, we chose to pay out of pocket for this flight and paid approximately CA$800 for the three-hour flight. While CA$800 is certainly a hefty price tag for such a short flight, we saw it as one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to experience Emirates First Class.
Although the flight was relatively short, we still enjoyed the entire Emirates first class experience, featuring fully enclosed suites, exceptional dining, bottomless Dom Pérignon, access to the Emirates First Class Shower Spa, and the onboard bar and lounge.
For comparison, a similar three-hour Emirates A380 First Class flight from Mumbai to Dubai costs a whopping CA$3,500, highlighting the importance of choosing a fifth freedom route for a flight like this if you want to fly first class on a budget.
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Ground Experience
Emirates has a significant presence at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and operates its own lounge for business and first class passengers. Unlike some other lounges I’ve visited, there isn’t a separate area or extra amenities, food, or beverage options specifically for first class passengers.
As you would expect, accommodating an Airbus A380 with a top deck entirely dedicated to premium passengers requires a massive lounge. Armchairs and relaxed seating were arranged on both sides of the buffet area, while dining tables were placed closer to the food.
The Emirates Lounge in Bangkok offers a diverse selection of hot and cold dishes throughout the day, featuring both Thai and Emirati specialties. You’ll find items like chicken satay, lamb kabsa, a selection of cheeses, and some desserts.
Unlike Emirates’ lounge in Dubai (DXB), there is no bar service. However, guests can help themselves to a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including soft drinks, tea, coffee, beer, wine, champagne, and spirits.
The Emirates Lounge Bangkok has five shower rooms available for passengers on a first come, first serve basis. Each private shower room has a walk-in shower, toilet, and vanity.
Overall, the Emirates Lounge in Bangkok is one of the better outstation airline lounges I’ve had the chance to visit. With comfortable seating, quality food, and access to shower facilities, it meets the expectations of a well-rounded business class lounge.
Unfortunately, there are no special amenities or a separate seating area for first class passengers, which is an aspect I think Emirates could improve.
Cabin Arrangement
The first class cabin on the Emirates A380 is located at the very front of the top deck of the aircraft. There are 14 first class suites in total, all with direct aisle access.
Since all the seats can be fully enclosed, there’s really no bad option. If you’re traveling with a partner, you might prefer the middle seats (E and F) for easier communication with your seatmate. Otherwise, window seats provide a bit more privacy.
At the front of the Emirates first class cabin is a set of stairs that lead to the lower deck of the aircraft and the two enormous shower spa bathrooms.
Seat
The Emirates A380 First Class cabin showcases all the signature glitz and extravagance the airline is known for. Furthermore, Emirates is currently in the process of retrofitting most of its A380 fleet with refreshed cabins and a slightly more understated aesthetic; however, this particular aircraft has yet to be updated.
Our aircraft still features the airline’s iconic faux wood paneling and gold accents—an opulent style that might seem gaudy on other airlines, but perfectly aligns with the bold, over-the-top nature of Emirates’ first and business class.
A while back, I had the opportunity to fly on a retrofitted Emirates A380 in business class from Dubai to San Francisco, which features the airline’s latest design aesthetic. While I’ll touch on other amenities available to first class passengers, including the onboard bar and lounge, please refer to my Emirates A380 Business Class review for a comprehensive overview of those areas. This review will primarily focus on the first class experience.
The individual suites feature very high walls, offering outstanding privacy. To create a more open and spacious feel, the first class cabin is designed without any overhead storage bins.
Although the seat and its design may be showing some signs of age, the first class cabin is still in impeccable condition, and all the power-operated amenities continue to function flawlessly. For this reason, I’d still argue that Emirates First Class remains the gold standard for aspirational travel among points and miles enthusiasts.
Emirates truly nails the first impression with its first class suite. From the spacious recliner to the power-operated shades, the minibar, and the detachable tablet, everything is extravagantly excessive in the best possible way.
The front console features a large 27-inch HD touchscreen display and a counter space that includes a vanity mirror along with a small accent lamp.
In the side console is the power-operated minibar that appears and disappears with the push of a button. The contents of the minibar are some bottled water and a few snack items.
Also in the side console is a detachable tablet that can be used to control the main display or act as a standalone device that has all the same functions as the main display.
Below the tablet are the controls to operate the window shades and lighting in the suite.
A fairly deep storage bin is located in the side console as well, where you can place a few personal items during the flight.
The large tray table pops up and folds out from the side console and is incredibly sturdy once extended.
The armrest lifts to reveal the handheld entertainment controller, providing three ways to control the entertainment system: the controller, the tablet, and the touchscreen interface on the display.
The other armrest features controls for adjusting the position of the seat and operating the power-assisted doors.
The Emirates first class suite also has plenty of connectivity and charging ports. Underneath the display is a universal power outlet and there are two USB-A ports integrated into the side console.
Passengers are also provided with a notepad and a pen.
Rather than overhead air nozzles, the Emirates First Class seats have their own individual adjustable air vents to manage your own private airflow.
Directly in front of the seat is the 27-inch entertainment screen. While it’s one of the largest screens I have seen on any airline, the resolution and interface are both quite dated by today’s standards.
As mentioned earlier, there are no overhead storage bins in the first class cabin. Instead, passengers can place their carry-on luggage in the footwell. Although not the most ideal setup, the generous length of the suite allowed me to stow my two bags without affecting the legroom.
With the press of a button, the power-operated doors open and close, fully enclosing the suite and providing complete privacy from the activity in the cabin.
While the cabin and seat are starting to show signs of age, the upholstery and fixtures have been well maintained. Along with all the luxury touches and features that embody the Emirates experience, this is still an excellent seat.
Bed
Since our flight was in the afternoon and I wanted to make the most of our limited time onboard, I didn’t attempt to sleep. However, after the meal service, I did recline the seat into bed mode to give myself a chance to let the obscene amount of food I ate settle.
Emirates provides a full set of bedding to all first class passengers which include a large pillow, mattress pad, and soft duvet.
With the immense amount of personal space in your suite, the seat in lie-flat mode provides one of the most comfortable sleeping arrangements possible.
There are no restrictions around the shoulder area, and the spacious footwell offers ample room, allowing you to stretch out comfortably in any sleeping position.
Amenity Kit
As this was a fairly short flight, Emirates doesn’t provide a full amenity kit to first class passengers. However, we did receive a skincare kit that included a few items from Byredo such as facial toner, pillow mist, and a towelette.
On long haul flights, Emirates provides a much more comprehensive amenity kit along with slippers and a set of pajamas to its first class passengers.
Bathroom
One of the most incredible perks of flying Emirates First Class is access to the exclusive First Class Shower Spa. Located at the front of the first class cabin, the two Shower Spa rooms offer a luxurious experience, complete with a large vanity, toilet, and walk-in shower. Additional touches like heated floors and an in-shower display showing your flight’s progress makes this amenity almost unbelievable until you see it for yourself.
The Emirates A380 Shower Spas are a really good size, by far the largest bathroom you’ll likely come across on any commercial aircraft.
Hand soap and fragrances are provided by VOYA.
Last but not least is the enclosed shower, which allows passengers five minutes of running water. You can turn the water off and on as often as you like to preserve your allotment of water.
As much as I wanted to take a shower at 35,000 feet, I figured my time would be better served enjoying the seat and indulging in Emirates First Class exceptional multi-course dining.
Something to look forward to for next time!
It’s also worth noting that there is a dedicated first class bathroom attendant who refreshes the Shower Spa bathroom after each use, ensuring the facilities are spotlessly clean for each passenger.
Dining
Service began as soon as we settled into our seats with a cup of Arabic coffee and a date.
At this point, we were handed with the dining menus, which were presented in a beautiful leather-bound folder.
The drink menu on Emirates flights are always incredibly impressive, offering a wide variety of options such as mocktails, coffee, tea, cocktails, spirits, and more.
Equally impressive are the dining options, which feature Emirates’ signature first class caviar course.
Naturally, the wine menu includes the Emirates signature offering of bottomless 2015 Dom Pérignon champagne.
After takeoff, the crew began pouring the Dom Pérignon, which was accompanied by a dish of mixed nuts. The crew was very enthusiastic about refilling our glass and passed through the cabin frequently.
I, of course, began with the caviar service, and both my brother and I can unequivocally say it was the best meal either of us has ever had on any flight. I’m not usually someone who cares for or has a particular fondness for caviar, but in that moment and setting, every single bite was spectacular.
I followed this up with the Arabic mezze, which I always make a point of ordering any time I’m on a Middle Eastern airline. I finished the entire serving, which was excellent, but I started to question my decision to order so much, especially since I still had a main dish on the way.
I ordered the braised chicken for my main course, but by that point, it felt like an afterthought. I had already eaten so much, and compared to the first two courses, it was by far the weakest.
My brother had the prawn machbous and because he skipped the appetizer course still had room for a piece of caramel cheesecake for dessert.
This was the only meal served on our flight, but if you get hungry again at any point there are snacks available from the lounge.
Business and First Class Bar & Lounge
I did wander back to the onboard bar and lounge at the rear of the top deck of the A380. You can grab a drink and snack from the bar and perhaps enjoy a conversation with other passengers or a member of the crew and it’s one of the most unique aviation experiences you’ll have the chance to enjoy.
As we were on an Emirates A380 that had not yet been updated, the lounge featured the old bench-style seating on each side. If you want a more comprehensive overview of the business and first class lounge, I cover every detail in my Emirates A380 business class review.
Related: Review: Emirates Business Class (A380)
In the interest of fully immersing myself in the first class experience, I didn’t spend much time in the lounge.
Entertainment
Entertainment Console
Emirates has what is probably the best entertainment system in the industry. Their ICE (Information, Connectivity, Entertainment) system features an enormous catalog of thousands of movies, TV shows, music stations, and live TV in nearly two dozen languages.
The display in the Emirates First Class seat at 27 inches, is among the largest as well.
Emirates offers first class passengers a pair of Bowers & Wilkins noise-canceling headphones, which I felt were the most premium headphones I’ve ever been provided by an airline. They were incredibly comfortable and did an excellent job of blocking out much of the cabin noise.
The interface of the entertainment system is definitely no longer up to modern standards and the screen resolution is quite poor, but the number of available titles helps make up for some of the system’s technical shortcomings.
The Emirates A380 has three onboard cameras and I always enjoy watching the takeoff and landing sequences.
You can also watch movies and TV shows directly on the handheld tablet if you prefer, or just leave it on the interactive map or tail camera to keep track of the flight’s progress.
Wi-Fi
Emirates provides free unlimited Wi-Fi to passengers traveling in first class. Connecting to the Wi-Fi is done by logging in to your Emirates Skywards account and confirming your flight and seat number.
Skywards members not traveling in a premium cabin receive free messaging for the duration of the flight.
If you’re not a Skywards member or traveling in a premium cabin, you can still purchase a full-flight Wi-Fi session for $19.99, which I think is a fair price on one of Emirates long haul routes.
I’ve used the Wi-Fi on all the Emirates flights I’ve taken and found the speeds to be good and coverage generally reliable, except on polar routes, where there can be up to six hours of no coverage.
Conclusion
While our Emirates First Class flight was a more scaled-back affair compared to a long-haul segment, it was still thoroughly enjoyable and offered a glimpse of the full experience. With any luck, I’d love the chance to take a longer flight next time.
Service on Emirates is always exceptional, and the crew on our flight made the journey even more memorable. From the bottomless Dom Pérignon and caviar to the Shower Spa and a visit to the onboard bar, Emirates First Class undoubtedly lives up to the hype. And of course, flying on the Airbus A380 is always a thrill, as I still believe it’s the best aircraft for passenger comfort and experience.
Emirates First Class is unlike almost anything else in commercial aviation or the world of points and miles. Although booking it often comes with steep costs in both points and surcharges, I’d say it’s well worth experiencing at least once. Alternatively, you can try to score a more affordable cash fare on one of Emirates’ fifth freedom routes.
Jeff Jamieson
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