Yesterday I flew Emirates’ A380 business class for the first time, which was a pretty good experience overall. Given how big Emirates’ A380 fleet is, I figured I’d write a post about the best business class seats on the plane, because this is a plane where there’s a big difference in quality between seats. To start, here’s a link to the SeatGuru page for the Emirates A380, which is a good reference point.
Emirates’ A380 business class cabin is located on the upper deck, behind the first class cabin.
The business class cabin features a total of 76 seats, spread across two cabins. There’s one massive business class cabin with 15 rows.
Then there’s a partition due to the position of the emergency exit, and behind that are another five rows of business class.
Then behind that cabin is the business class bar, which is a fun place to hang out.
Then behind that are the four lavatories, and then the galley.
So, which Emirates A380 business class seat should you choose?
You want an “A” or “K” seat
These are the “true” window seats. Emirates has a staggered business class configuration, meaning that in each row the seats are in a different position.
The “A” and “K” seats are fantastic because of how private they are. The console is located on the aisle-side of the seat, so you really feel like you have a private cocoon.
Furthermore, there are bins along the windows, so you have plenty of room to store things, and don’t feel claustrophobic since you’re not seated right against the fuselage.
The “B” and “J” seats are also technically window seats, though they’re much closer to the aisle. They’re not nearly as private. It’s also tougher to reach the storage lockers from these seats. So they’d only be my second choice after the “A” and “K” seats.
You don’t want to sit in the rear mini-cabin
Usually I have unusual preferences, as I prefer to sit in the very back of a business class cabin. Don’t do this on the Emirates A380 for a few reasons:
- All the bathrooms and bar are at the back of the cabin, so there’s going to be a ton of noise and foot traffic in these seats
- All the service is provided from the rear galley, so the crew will constantly be passing you, and there will be a lot of light from behind the cabin
I actually sort of can’t believe Emirates sells the last row of business class on this plane, as it’s just a foot from the bar. I would hate to be seated in one of those seats if I were hoping to sleep.
You want to sit in the front half of the forward cabin
Everything is done from behind business class — it’s where the bathrooms and bar are, and it’s where service is conducted from. So if you’re seated in the forward part of the cabin, there’s virtually no foot traffic, which is great. However, you also don’t want to be in the very front of the cabin, since the first class galley is located in front, so there’s going to be some light and noise.
So my preference would be to sit between rows 9 and 16.
There’s another reason to sit in row 16 or up. Emirates’ business class service very much feels like an assembly line, and is done in two steps. First they do the service for rows 6 through 16, and then afterwards they do service for rows 17 through 26.
In other words, first they’ll lay out the tablecloths, bring out the appetizer tray, and serve wine, for rows 6-16, and then once that’s complete, they’ll do the same in rows 17 through 26. So by being in the forward rows you’ll get served much faster.
So, what are the best Emirates A380 business class seats?
I’d say the absolute best seats in Emirates A380 business class are 9A/K, 11A/K, and 14A/K, since you get a “true” window seat and are towards the front of the cabin, meaning you have as little foot traffic as possible. If those aren’t available I’d choose 16A/K, 18A/K, or 20A/K, which will be good as well.
If you’re traveling with someone, it all depends how close you want to be with them. The “E” and “F” seats are often referred to as honeymoon seats, because you’ll be seated very close together, which some like. Personally I think privacy is the rarest commodity on planes, so even if I’m traveling with someone I want to spend time with, I wouldn’t choose these seats. Otherwise there’s no real difference among the “D” and “G” seats, which are all close to the aisle, and similar to the “B” and “J” seats.
Do you have a favorite Emirates A380 business class seat?
We are booked on Melb to Dubai in business class seats 7E and 7F and happy with the couples seats but will I get noise and light from the first class cabins being just behind them ?
Could someone please tell me the best seats business class Emirates a380 for couple seated side by side thanks
I pick 23a each time I fly. My last trip to the UK from NZ was quite turbulent and we had the seat belt sign on for probably 15 out of 17 hours which cut down the foot traffic and the bar was pretty empty due to this. I spoke to a few people up front and it was no where near as bad as us lot in the rear cabin being thrown around! ,
I might try a forward row next time, just to compare.
I've sat in the last row near the bar as it was the last seat at the time of booking. It was bad. A lot of light coming through, people getting lubricated on the free booze. I actually got a little irate and told the hostess they shouldn't sell these seats at the same price. She took my name and miles number. Two days later there was a email with bonus points in hand.
Live in Dubai and fly EK a lot. Multiple years’ Platinum (not bragging). I always go for 23 A or 23 K. Why? The cabin monuments close in the space so much, it almost feels like a 1st class cabin - without the sling door. If you get the chance, upgrade and try the shower! Flying next week to the USA and picked the arrival city to ensure A380 service.
I disagree, based on my own experience, about the rear cabin. It is quieter and feels more intimate than the main cabin, and if one has a window seat (A or K) one notices nothing going on in the bar/restrooms area.
We might be served after the front cabin, but I've never noticed that service was long, there was never a lack of what I had chosen, and the cabin crew seem more inclined...
I disagree, based on my own experience, about the rear cabin. It is quieter and feels more intimate than the main cabin, and if one has a window seat (A or K) one notices nothing going on in the bar/restrooms area.
We might be served after the front cabin, but I've never noticed that service was long, there was never a lack of what I had chosen, and the cabin crew seem more inclined to 'visit', which I love.
Yes, I do love exiting the plane quickly, but if row 6/7 seats A/K aren't available (and they never are) I am more than happy in 23/25!
I have the option to book it, so what is the good and bad of 7K, and would you recommend it over the rear cabin?
7k is fine, I've flown from Dubai to Los Angeles. It has privacy from the aisle and extra legroom.
I WANT TO GO BY A380 TO ISLAMABAD PLS WHEN THE WILL START 777-300 I NOW
Dude, no Emirates A380 picture like you showed the China Southern A380 at your gate in another review that was going from Los Angeles to Guangzhou (CZ328).
Is this Emirates A380 flying the EK216 route?
Yes i am travelling april from Manchester to bangkok in business class and im searing 9k to dubai and 11k to bangkok i love these seats awesome
Yes iv always booked seats 9 ak to 11 ak or a seats and already booked going back april brilliant for me
Many thanks for this Thomas,
Booking our first business flight and your post really helped. Thanks Man.
what is the best seats for a couple?
Best seat for a couple with a window
No seats for couples with windows on the A380....all window seats are singles (1-2-1). If you want to sit together as a couple, you have the middle seats - ergo - no window....
Always chose 23K. Small cabin is quieter and more intimate.
I am travelling with my husband from Per to Barcelona via Dubai, which are the best seats to be together, and is fairly quiet?
How weird is it to choose the window seats even though your flying as a couple... it looks like we will end up 2 seats away from each other, but they seem the best seats and OH wants to see the view out of the window. What seats should we choose... BHX to SYD.
As regards to your comments....first row of the rear cabin(business class) is by far the best! 23 A or 23 K. Window seat with clear view. Got that seat for my son. .and it's FANTASTIC ! BELIEVE MY WORDS.
Thank you! I am just about to book 23K for three sectors of my trip! 20K for the other.
Therese
what are the best seats for un-obstructed views (i.e. we don't want to look at the wing)
Nothing beats seat 23 A.
Hi - if anyone can assist me. I have 3 flights with EK coming up and have selected 23K for 2 of them. The 3rd flight is in a two-class A380 and I selected 8K. It's an all-daytime flight (DXB-BKK) but I'm worried that 8K may be right over the wing and have a restricted view. Can anyone advise - and I'll change back to 23K if it's still available.
On the upside - there is always the view from the windows at the bar.
Hello - I am travelling with my two kids (ages 6 and 3) - I am going to put them in 16 E & F so they are next to each other in the middle seats but I can't figure out where I should sit to be closest to them - in the window or aisle, in the same row or row behind / ahead. Any help appreciated?
I am wondering the same, any recommendation?
I am booked business from LHR to BKK in early November 2019 and 1st class on the return leg,I have booked 9k to Dubai, 20a to bkk,return B777 1st class to Dubai seat 2a Dubai to LHR A380 4a.
Really looking forward to trying both sections.
My wife and I flew Emirates from NYC to Dubai on May 24th 2019. We were bumped into first class cabins from our business class seats. Wow! Wow!Wow!....To say we were amazed by the experience does not cut it. It changed our whole mood and set the trajectory for a fabulous vacation. I have booked my next flight to Dubai through emirates for later in the year - business class of course- seat 9K but if i get bumped to first class again , Y'all know what I'll do....
Dear Tomas:
Wow. I fly from US to Asia at least 4 times a year and have flown numerous different airlines over the last 30 years. I can safely say that I have never had the type of experience on ANY airline which would lead me to write a review like yours. Just wow.
Since I first switched to Emirates a few years ago, I have only flown Emirates with the exception of my...
Dear Tomas:
Wow. I fly from US to Asia at least 4 times a year and have flown numerous different airlines over the last 30 years. I can safely say that I have never had the type of experience on ANY airline which would lead me to write a review like yours. Just wow.
Since I first switched to Emirates a few years ago, I have only flown Emirates with the exception of my last trip a few weeks ago when I flew Qatar just to try out the Q Suites I have read so much about. While the Q Suites seats are much more comfortable, the service hit or miss (4 flights on Qatar, first trip the service was so so), the lounge at Doha exceptional and the seat privacy better - the separate boarding convenience at Dubai (boarding from the lounge) and most importantly, being able to stretch my legs and spend some time out of the seat in the lounge or standing at the bar during a 14 hour flight, to me, is more important.
I am flying tomorrow back to JFK and I am back on Emirates (I chose to pay more for Emirates than Qatar). I can also say that I have never used the call button on Emirates as it is nice to walk up to the bar to get whatever drinks and snacks I want. The walk feels good and my drinks and snacks are delivered to my seat if I am too lazy (I am not) or feel important (I don't) to carry them back with me.
The Emirates you have described is not the Emirates I have gotten to know.
It's not uncommon to go wow these days but the wow factor in your review was something special. Looking forward to your next review.
- A fan.
Dear Tomas
I have just read your review.
You must be a very sad and unhappy person.
Think of those who have never experienced a flight.
Open your heart to gratitude and close it to self importance.
Next time you fly - travel economy and discover the norm for 90 percent of passengers then compare your business class flight.
I felt sorry for the staff, listening to you constantly...
Dear Tomas
I have just read your review.
You must be a very sad and unhappy person.
Think of those who have never experienced a flight.
Open your heart to gratitude and close it to self importance.
Next time you fly - travel economy and discover the norm for 90 percent of passengers then compare your business class flight.
I felt sorry for the staff, listening to you constantly buzzing for attention and a coke.
Just maybe the staff had a more important problem. Then again after buzzing continually for 2 minutes they decided to ignore your rudeness.
Happy travels for your future.
You may want to try Qatar's Business Class. I recently flew from Istanbul to Cape Town via Doha....excellent (very excellent!) service....good food...impeccable dinner presentation with a small candle on the table!
The seats are the best in business class I have experienced....
..AND do not miss the business class lounge in Doha! Busy yes..but it's huge and very comfortable..big choice of foods and comfortable seating etc....
I fly Emirates business long haul regularly and it’s not how you portray it. I think you must have been having a bad day.
The best seat is any other airline. My experience with the Emirates business class was very disappointing, is by far the worst long haul business class I know, it has many cons and very few pros. Briefly: bad lounge at Dubai; poor seat and cabin comfort; and very bad cabin service, even worse than the economy class service of many carriers. As example, you’ll find in economy class in Qatar or in Turkish a better...
The best seat is any other airline. My experience with the Emirates business class was very disappointing, is by far the worst long haul business class I know, it has many cons and very few pros. Briefly: bad lounge at Dubai; poor seat and cabin comfort; and very bad cabin service, even worse than the economy class service of many carriers. As example, you’ll find in economy class in Qatar or in Turkish a better cabin service than in the Emirates business class.
Facts from a business class round trip Emirates Barcelona to Bangkok, 4 flights in B777-300 and A380 planes:
1- BOARDING AND UNBOARDING: UNCOMFORTABLE, AWKWARD, not at all premium. Score 2/10. In Barcelona Emirates boarded the 346 Busines and economy passengers all crowded together in the same finger to the B777-300; a second finger was reserved exclusively for the maximum 8 passengers of first class. There was not finger for landing on arrival in Dubai, disembarking in the middle of the track, under a very hot air at almost 40ºC. Business and economy passengers were transported together in the same bus, standing and crowded.
2- UNCOMFORTABLE SEATS AND CABIN. Score 4/10 Business seats are very narrow: in the B777-300 there are 7 seats per row, 8 in the A380. As contrast example, the Qatar business cabin displays 6 seats per row in the B777-300, or 4 in the A380, they are much wider and more comfortable. (The economy seats in the Emirates are also narrow, with 10 per row in B777-300, compared to 9 in the same aircraft of other airlines, such as Qatar or Turkish).
In fact, the Emirates A380 business cabin displays 4 seats per row, but 50% of the width of the business seat is useless for the passenger: it serves basically for the legs of the back passenger in bed position. It is a "chessboard" layout, but very badly achieved in Emirates. So the real seat width is equivalent to an 8 seats row. This A380 Emirates business seat is only 18.5” width, just 0.5” wider than the economy seat, so too narrow for a business seat.
I am not an overweight person, but I feel uncomfortable in such a narrow 18.5” seat (the busines seat is a kind of shell limiting the shoulders on both sides, unlike the tourist seat. The feeling is like being embedded in a 50 cm wide can)
As a comparison, the seat width in the same A380 plane with different airlines and classes: the Emirates Busines seat is 18.5 "; identical to the Qatar economy seat 18.5"; and smaller than the Air France Premium economy Seat 19"
The bed position is also uncomfortable because the small hole for the legs (foot and legs in awkward position); I felt like being in a narrow sarcophagus
The B777-300 business seat width is a more convenient 20.5”
The Emirates A380 business cabin looks like a crowded and cramped hive, because the narrow aisles and spaces. Moving around is difficult for overweight and older passengers.
The aisle seats have an insufficient length in bed position for passengers over 175 or 180 cm, because they are about 15-20 cm shorter than the interior seats, to allow access to the corridor. The non-aisle seats (window and central) have a bed length around 190 cm, the best choice for tall people; but moving to/from the seat is uncomfortable because of the narrow space, it could be even annoying and complex for some people
3- VERY BAD SERVICE. Score 1/10. With no doubt, Emirates has the worst business cabin service I ever know. Service on board is insufficient, incompetent, and depersonalized, totally improper and unacceptable for a business cabin. The service does not address passenger calls. One of the causes of the very poor service is the lack of staff, in my 1st flight I only saw 3 flight attendants for the 42 business passangers!, absolutely insufficient.
Examples:
They forgot my welcome drink.
Nobody answered my bell calls (I called about 8 times during 20 min, intending to get a cold coke*). Finally I had to get up for ordering it in person; even so, after waiting more 10 minutes I had to order the drink again. So 30 minutes and 10 attempts to get a coke! I never found a so bad and slow service, even in the worst economy cabin service in the worst carrier!
There was not a drinks menu in my seat (There should be one per passenger). When I reported to a FA, she flashed me her menu, but didn´t give me a personal copy.
There was no a personal welcome presentation, neither an explanation about the not easy control systems
4- MEAL SERVICE. Score 2/10 The service is very, VERY SLOW: they took about 2 hours to complete the dinner service; On a flight time around 6.5 hours, the fact was that 3 hours after the takeoff they still were serving desserts! The wine was also served too late, 10-15 minutes after the meal, which was already cold. Mediocre meal, bad for business class: the beef sirloin was overcooked, dry and tasteless
5- INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT: Controls too complex for self-understanding, and bad ergonomic design. Score 4/10. The screen touch control is modern but a little complex, difficult to operate without help, but the FA were too busy for spending time helping passengers. There is also a wire control, but impractical because it is fixed at 90º awkward position
6- RELAXING TRIP?: POOR. Score 2/10. Emirates flight is inappropriate for relaxing of working, even for watching a movie. Not only because the very slow meal service: the first flight hour on board is very noisy, with frequent advertisement noising from the speakers (Emirates and others messages), and frequent warnings to the crew in several languages. As balance, in a 6.5 hours flight, you get less of 2 quiet hours for sleeping or working, hopefully
7- BUSINES LOUNGE EMIRATES DUBAI: Very poor. Score 3/10 The Emirates business lounge in Dubai is very disappointing: large but very crowded (even at 2am!). Most users don’t seem business travelers, I wonder which are the Emirates rules to give access to this lounge!. Also it’s too hot, there is not air conditioning, and no roof (Maybe they think the airport general AC will be enough entering thought the roofless?). The Emirates business lounge is hotter than the rest of the airport: located at the airport 2nd floor, the airport cold air remains in the general lower area of the airport, but the warm air goes up heating the upper business lounge.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE: 3/10, very bad for a long haul business class trip. Very poor cabin service, narrow and uncomfortable seats. Cabin layout looks like a compressed hive, intending to stack the maximum number of passengers in the minimum space, and with the minimum staff. The layout aim maybe is to give more privacy and direct access to the aisle to all seats, but the implementation is globally poor, for the bad design and skimped space as a low cost carrier.
Cabin service conditions improve slightly in the A380, but the seat and cabin comfort is worse. The business class quality is still globally poor and disappointing, worse than most airlines
Emirates don’t understand business class as a premium service, but a flock of sheep. We can find better seats and cabin comfort in premium economy in other airlines like Air France (except for the bed position). Even other carriers offer a better cabin service in economy class than Emirates in business class
As positive points, just two: the free vip taxi service to / from the airport; and the thin pad on the bed-seat for sleeping, it avoids sweating and keeps clean the seat surface. These stand out over many other business class competitors.
CONCLUSION: The worst long haul business class I never know; very poor cabin service, poor seat and cabin comfort, bad vip lounge, and very poor boarding and unboarding. I never again will waste 2500€ for such bad product, existing so many other competitors with much better quality.
* Note: The business seat has its own "minibar", but it is useless, because it is not refrigerated (only in first class seats), the drinks are warm. Who wants a hot cola or juice?
Travelled multiple times on Emirates 380 Business Class from USA and other sectors. Have booked upcoming trip on February 28th from Islamabad to Houston, Texas and back. Got Seats 14A outbound and 9A inbound. I have experienced these seats to be good. Bottom line is that Business Class itself is a great experience. We do need a great stop over rest experience at Dubai Airport for onward journey. Hope this helps.
Regular flyer from Manchester-Dubai then Dubai-Singapore and return. Business Class.
!0 times to date so that's 40 flights. Several first class upgrades with accrued air miles.
Seats Either 23A or 25A. (book early) for these seats or 23,25K
Noise is not a bother, being by the window is away from the aisle, so "traffic" is of no relevance.
Only once did not get the meal of my choice.
Short walk...
Regular flyer from Manchester-Dubai then Dubai-Singapore and return. Business Class.
!0 times to date so that's 40 flights. Several first class upgrades with accrued air miles.
Seats Either 23A or 25A. (book early) for these seats or 23,25K
Noise is not a bother, being by the window is away from the aisle, so "traffic" is of no relevance.
Only once did not get the meal of my choice.
Short walk to the bar and toilets (toilets ALWAYS clean).
NOT over the wing!!! Good window view, But much better in first class which is in front of the wing).
My wife only likes 18A or or 18K.
I am travelling solo Saturday 5/1/2019 on a380-800 business class to Dubai and been given sear 7d. Is this seat more for a couple. The next leg is to Brisbane on 777-300 and have seat 7f. Is the a good seat for a solo passenger. Thanks
I fly Emirates every year from Australia....my first A 380 was 10 or more years ago from Dubai to LHR when the A380 first came into service and I had 23A to and fro . Excellent seat...very private....no noise....excellent food service.
Nowadays,from Australia, 9 A is my choice, although tomorrow I’m in 7A to Dubai, so I’m looking forward to that. Next flight is up the pointy end.
Hi,
We are flying Emerates Lon-Brisbane change in Dubai.
Are seats 11,14,15, E /F on 3 flights and the other flight on 777-300 seats 8 A/B
are thes all good seats? We have never flown business class so I want it to be special.
I have been allocated 8f on Emirates 777-300 and 8j on Emirates A380-800, I will be travelling business class solo. Are these seats ok or can I do better ?
We have booked 20E and 20F for our trip from JNB to YYZ via Dubai on both flights.
Will let you know how the trip goes.
My first trip Business class with Emirates from Melb to Paris in July.
I have seat 7a to Dubai, then seat 9a to Paris. On the way home again 9a.
Hopefully my travel agent has got me good seats!!!
Which are the best seats for couples if you can’t get E and F?
I always choose 9A on the 3 class A380 or 8A on the 2 class.
We flew during the day MXP to JFK seats 23 EF and it was great. We liked being in the small cabin and near the bar area -- it looks like there is room for eight or ten people in the various seats there and four more people standing up. We liked that access to take a break from our seats. The "bartender" had anything you wanted, We liked that the lavatories were close --...
We flew during the day MXP to JFK seats 23 EF and it was great. We liked being in the small cabin and near the bar area -- it looks like there is room for eight or ten people in the various seats there and four more people standing up. We liked that access to take a break from our seats. The "bartender" had anything you wanted, We liked that the lavatories were close -- no long trips. Food service was also great and we did not feel that we missed out on anything and even felt a little sorry for people further up who were served "too soon." Earlier is not always better.
To each his own, but we are headed back in these seats.
We are flying B/Class Emirates in October B'ham/Dubai/Muscat and back in November Singapore/Dubai/B'ham (A380-800).
Looking at the seat plans I cannot quite figure out if there are 2 (TWO) seats next to each other or as near as possible if one of us would like a window seat.
Would be nice to converse with my travel partner from time to time..!
Thank you for your time.
Klaus
Fantastic blog, thanks!
Ive booked 9k out and 11k return DXB TO LHR Dec 22nd cant wait .
I wanted the A and K seats but the seats were already alloted
I have booked 9K on all flights London-Dubai-Beijing, and back, In July. I'll let you know.
@RD 17 is unlucky number in Brazil???? Not true!
I flew A380 business last year and had seat A18 both ways. Loads of room and privacy, but all I could see out of the window was the HUGE wing! The flight staff recommended seat A23 to me, so that's what I've booked for my next flight........ Will see how it compares!
Wanted an unobscured view (no wing below) from the window. Which seats apply please?
It's worth noting that on a 2 class the "aisle" and "window" ying yang is reversed ' so even numbers are nearer the window. Currently sat in 8K which is perfect
We flew DFW-DXB, DXB-HKG a few months ago. First leg in the 777, me and my wife in F, seats 2E and 2F, our daughter in J, seat 6K. Perfect because she was close to us and the FA's didn't mind her checking in on us once in a while. On the 380 to HKG she was in 7K, same reason. Being away from the bar gives definitely more privacy.
Lucky, I've been reading your reviews for a long long time and I've always wanted you to do a review for Emirates A380 business class (I see you've traveled multiple times in First Class)
We finally took the plunge and traveled on the Emirates A380 last month in Business class from Mumbai to Milan via Dubai. Unfortunately only the Dubai to Milan flight was on the A380 and it was by far the best flight...
Lucky, I've been reading your reviews for a long long time and I've always wanted you to do a review for Emirates A380 business class (I see you've traveled multiple times in First Class)
We finally took the plunge and traveled on the Emirates A380 last month in Business class from Mumbai to Milan via Dubai. Unfortunately only the Dubai to Milan flight was on the A380 and it was by far the best flight of our lives. My wife and I took the 'honeymoon seats' and they were PERFECT. Very spacious, and you don't feel too close to the aisle. We really wished we had taken a longer flight!
We reserved our seats in the main cabin but pretty much in front, so we were served soon enough. We agree with your analysis, the rear cabin has too much noise coming from the bar area which can tend to get slightly noisy (we sang "We wish you a merry Xmas" with the crew since we were traveling on Xmas eve), but luckily our flight was pretty empty so hardly anyone was in the rear Biz class cabin.
The business class travel was supposed to be a one-off exception but I think we're now spoilt for life.
Emirates is the best airline I have ever flown. The, A380, is a very good plane and offers air travelers fine choices for their flight experiences.
Totally agree with A and K seats being the best. 14A was definitely cool when I used it once. I just love the Emirates experience, business or economy.
Seems odd that a review of the best seats doesn't mention that half the seats (B, D, G & J) are 22cm shorter than the others when in bed mode.
I've flown this three times and before the first time I remember reading some reviews on the best seats and lots said that 23A&K were the best because of the extra legroom and shielded position offering extra privacy.
My first flight a couple of years ago I was in 25A but because I was so excited for what was my first proper business class flight I didnt really pay attention noise, gallery light etc!
Last...
I've flown this three times and before the first time I remember reading some reviews on the best seats and lots said that 23A&K were the best because of the extra legroom and shielded position offering extra privacy.
My first flight a couple of years ago I was in 25A but because I was so excited for what was my first proper business class flight I didnt really pay attention noise, gallery light etc!
Last summer I was able to select 23A. It was defiantly a better seat but it was also a night flight so after the dinner service nobody used the bar so there was very little foot traffic passing. The other time during a day flight I was in the forward cabin and from memory it was defiantly more quite with hardly anyone walking past.
Sorry I must say I prefer the E & F seats when travelling with my other half, so that we can at least have a conversation with each other. We will avoid flying with airlines that do not provide a suitable seating arrangement for couples in Business Class.
I went with 23K when I flew and really liked the seat. The cabin was mostly empty though, so service was very fast regardless.
If you are flying alone,then seats A and K are the best,if you are flying with someone else I recommend seats in the middle of the cabin.One thing that made me ecstatic in Emirates business 380 is ,the two outside lavatories have window,which gives them very "homey" feel .
Thank you Lucky! I have a KUL-DXB-KUL coming up and had been pondering seat choice - had gone with 11K so I'm glad that sounds like a good seat as I would prefer to be away from the bar
Completely agreed that if flying alone and trying to sleep, I'd go for K in the front cabin (I sleep on the right side so feels more private, and my usual route is LHR-DXB-LHR and a K seat offers much better view when landing in LHR on the 27s, as well as a potentially better view on the 12s in DXB).
However I usually fly with work colleagues and we hang out at the bar...
Completely agreed that if flying alone and trying to sleep, I'd go for K in the front cabin (I sleep on the right side so feels more private, and my usual route is LHR-DXB-LHR and a K seat offers much better view when landing in LHR on the 27s, as well as a potentially better view on the 12s in DXB).
However I usually fly with work colleagues and we hang out at the bar quite a bit. For that, I will always choose 25K. It's the closest seat to the bar and I'm not that bothered about service timing as I usually place my food order at the bar and get told when it's ready at my seat. For lounging/watching a movie, 25K is perfectly fine with some good noise cancelling headphones (QC35 to the rescue ;) )
@ JudgeRuth – A/K and B/J would be in different, alternating rows. So if you were in 11A, all that's on your right would be a console (the feet of the person in 12B are in it, but such is life), and to the right of that is the aisle. So there's no relation between any A/K and B/J seats.
Any problem accessing the aisle from A or K if the B/J person is sleeping?
@Ryan:
I was going to say 23A or K myself. Like 7 A/K (first row of J in the main cabin), it's bulkhead (extra footwell space), a window seat, it's closer to the bar without being TOO close to the bar.
First row of the rear cabin for me too and yes I got the meal of my choice
Does the partition between the E/F seats lower?
If you want a large foot cubby space, I would actually recommend Seat 7A / 7K.
I flew that from LAX to DXB and it was really nice. There actually isn't a lot of foot traffic because it's only First class ahead of you. The galley noise isn't really an issue because you are by the window and away from the noisy aisle. And the foot space is very generous in the bulkhead.
Also, I'd not recommend the rear of the J cabin lavatory-wise because, depending on the route, these can become very soiled very quickly. VERY quickly. And during meal services the FAs don't have a lot of time to clean them up and the smells can be fairly onerous. I've been on more than one A380 flight in J where the lavs were absolutely disgusting because of the cultural norms at the origin/destination. Bottom line: forward is (almost always) better.
I sat in the back cabin of the A380 in J the other week, in A, and it was just fine.
@Mark J mainly for superstitious reasons. Many airlines don't have a row 13 because it is considered to be un-lucky. Many LH planes also don't have a row 17 because in Italy and Brazil 17 is that unlucky rather than 13. In many Asian cultures the number 4 is unlucky so you will see a lot of airlines with aircraft lacking a "row 4" hope this helps!
sitting in the back means not getting your first choice of main course or appetizer.
Is there a reason why there is no row 13?
Disagree. First row of the rear cabin A or K seat is the best. First, you have a much smaller cabin, so it does not feel as big and dormitory like as the main cabin. Second, it is quieter. Third, in the A/K seat, you are away from the aisle, so the added foot traffic is much less bothersome. Fourth, the view of the rearof wing is cool (as someone who only flies premium, it...
Disagree. First row of the rear cabin A or K seat is the best. First, you have a much smaller cabin, so it does not feel as big and dormitory like as the main cabin. Second, it is quieter. Third, in the A/K seat, you are away from the aisle, so the added foot traffic is much less bothersome. Fourth, the view of the rearof wing is cool (as someone who only flies premium, it is a view I rarely get to see) -- the engines on the A380 are quiet, so you don't get much engine noise either. The two biggest drawbacks are: 1) meals are served front to back, so it takes longer to get served; and 2) it takes longer to deplane. Both are manageable in my opinion.