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Emirates A380 Business Class
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By: Brian Johnston, Issue 43 - Winter 2010
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(Sydney, Australia To Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
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BRIAN JOHNSTON SAMPLES THE BUSINESS CLASS SERVICE ON AN EMIRATES A380 FLIGHT FROM SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA TO DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.
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CHECK IN
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A complimentary limousine collection service to the airport is offered to Business Class passengers. Check-in is efficient and courteous and I’m given an express card to ease my way through security and customs.
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THE CABIN
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I was on the airline’s Airbus A380 aircraft which serves the Sydney-Dubai route daily. If you want to be on the A380, ask at the time of booking since there are two other Emirates flights a day on other aircraft. On the A380 there are 76 Business Class seats in a one-two-one configuration. One of the most notable features is the lounge at the back of the upper deck, where passengers can sit on a comfy leather banquette or at the bar for a drink and some nibbles (the puff pastries went down very easily). This is a convivial zone for those in the mood, where passengers and cabin crew come and go, stop for a chat and a drink, have a stretch and wile away a pleasant hour. However, it is removed enough from the seating not to interfere with those needing some sleep. The cabin’s ceiling features a starlit sky, which changes throughout the flight and apparently helps in combating jetlag.
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THE SERVICE
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Emirates’ staff are multi-lingual and efficient; expect professionalism rather than friendliness. Despite the length of the flight, flight attendants keep busy from the moment they pour the first pre-flight champagne onwards. They spend quite some time making up beds and helping passengers stow their belongings and the cabin is always neat and tidy.
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THE SEATS
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I must admit I feel like Homer Simpson as I happily zoom my back, legs and feet into all manner of shapes and directions with my touch-screen seat controller, before finally settling into my comfort zone of choice. The seat shell is very good, allowing a degree of privacy and plenty of nooks and crannies to store books, shoes and belongings. It has a built-in mini bar and massage system and the tray-table is much easier to manoeuvre in and out than on many airlines. The seat extends to two metres in length. Plenty of legroom but nevertheless – as with many airlines – not truly flat in the sleeping position. Still, with a nice down pillow, a woollen blanket and an underlay, I have no problem drifting off.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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Emirates’ in-flight entertainment system (known as ice for information, communication and entertainment) is outstanding. It’s a 15 hour flight to Dubai, so this is a huge bonus as time is passed easily with on-demand games, music, television shows and movies, including many of the latest releases. There are over 1,100 channels in all, including some 190 movies. This is the best entertainment system of any I’ve experienced on an aircraft. There are also in-seat laptop power, SMS and email facilities and personal telephone handsets.
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FOOD & BEVERAGE
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When mealtime comes around, a linen tablecloth and Royal Doulton chinaware are spread out before me. Service is leisurely, making the meal enjoyable. I have appetizers, honey-roasted duck with grilled pineapple salad and a Thai curry. It is always recommended to eat light on a long-haul flight, of course, but how can anyone resist a dessert of freshly baked pear strudel with vanilla sauce to finish? There is a good selection of complimentary Champagne, wines and spirits to accompany meals. Menus are changed frequently in order to cater for frequent travellers.
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THE EXTRAS
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I love the Emirates amenity bag which, for men, is nicely made in canvas with a leather-look trim, and comes with exclusive Thé Rouge products by Bulgari – aftershave lotion – as well as a good quality toothbrush, Colgate toothpaste, razor and tissues.
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THE LOUNGES
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At Sydney airport, Emirates has its own dedicated lounge with plenty of comfortable seating (including some massage chairs) and workstations, as well as showers. Full bar service includes Champagne and there are always plenty of hot and cold nibbles for the peckish.
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THE GRIPES
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There is little to complain about on the aircraft, but the Emirates lounge in Dubai airport, although vast, is overcrowded, making it difficult to find a free shower and sometimes even a quiet seat.
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FREQUENCY
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There are three flights daily on Emirates between Sydney and Dubai, with one flight serviced by the A380.
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FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAM
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Skywards, whose partner airlines include Virgin Blue.
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ON-TIME PERFORMANCE
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While the flight takes off from Sydney some 20 minutes late, it arrives in Dubai right on time.
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