Greetings from Germany! I recently had the pleasure of flying in Emirates’ business class aboard their Boeing 777-300ER, taking a 6-hour and 35-minute journey from Dubai (DXB) to Frankfurt (FRA). This flight particularly excited me as it was operated by one of Emirates’ newly retrofitted 777s, featuring their latest business class upgrades.
Overall, the experience was delightful, marked by a comfortable cabin, a warm and welcoming crew, and impressive food and beverage offerings. However, if I had to pick a favorite, I’d say Emirates’ A350 business class, which I flew on a previous leg, holds a slight edge for me. In this article, I’m eager to share my initial impressions of this 777 flight, with a detailed review to follow soon.
Emirates’ New 777 Business Class Seats Are a Major Upgrade
Emirates’ previous 777 business class product often left passengers wanting. With its 2-3-2 seating arrangement featuring angled seats, it was due for a refresh. Stepping onto a 777 fitted with the new business class seats was a breath of fresh air.
The updated business class is nearly identical to what you’d find on Emirates’ A350. It features a total of 38 seats, designed by Safran, arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. While this may not be the most cutting-edge seating design in the sky, it certainly stands out as a competitive option. The cabin is elegantly designed with high-quality finishes.
I won’t delve too deeply into the hard product specifics here, as I’ve covered most of them in my review of the A350.
The bedding, including the mattress pad, pillow, and blanket, absolutely enhances comfort during the flight. Additionally, the individual air nozzles are a thoughtful touch for creating a more personalized atmosphere.
Why I Prefer Emirates’ A350 Business Class
While the business class experiences aboard the A350 and 777 are quite similar, I have a few preferences that lean me toward the A350:
- The A350 features only 32 business class seats, creating a more intimate environment compared to the 777’s 38 seats.
- With four lavatories accessible to business class passengers, the A350 offers a more convenient lavatory ratio than the two on the 777.
- The A350 is notably quieter during flight, and its cabin includes unique aesthetic touches, such as the ghaf tree design on the window shades, along with an upgraded entertainment system.
- Furthermore, the absence of first class on the A350 contributes to a sense of exclusivity for business class travelers, especially during deplaning.
Entertainment & Wi-Fi: A Mixed Bag
Emirates offers an impressive inflight entertainment system known as ICE, regarded as one of the best in the industry. While the 777 model doesn’t have the newest system available on the A350, each seat is equipped with a 23-inch personal screen and Bluetooth audio capabilities. The entertainment library is vast, featuring a rich selection of movies, TV shows, and live TV options.
Although the 777 lacks a tail camera, it does come equipped with a nose camera, which offers visually appealing views during the flight.
On the downside, the Wi-Fi service on most 777s is powered by OnAir, which ranks as one of the slower systems available. However, it’s complimentary for all Skywards members. Emirates is in the process of rolling out Starlink across their fleet, promising a significant upgrade in connectivity once implemented.
Culinary Delights and Exceptional Service
On this early morning flight from Dubai to Frankfurt, which embarked around 3 AM, Emirates has optimized its service flow for these typical Middle Eastern departure times.
The service commenced with a “light bites” menu, allowing passengers to choose from several options immediately after takeoff. I opted for a tofu poke bowl and a cheese plate, both of which exceeded my expectations. To accompany my meal, I enjoyed a classic martini, flawlessly served in a proper glass—a lovely touch!
This was the perfect choice for such an early flight, and it was served promptly—about 20 minutes after takeoff—allowing ample time for passengers to rest.
Breakfast followed shortly after, and I chose the cheese omelet with spinach and potato cakes, complemented by fresh fruit, yogurt, and a selection of bread.
The service was exceptional, as is customary with Emirates. An engaging Egyptian flight attendant tended to my section, and our conversation quickly turned into a friendly exchange. After guessing her country incorrectly, I eventually landed on Egypt, which sparked a lengthy and enjoyable discussion.
