The next few years are going to be very interesting for Emirates Airline. The Dubai-based airline currently operates a fleet consisting exclusively of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s. With A380 production having ended in 2021, the airline has had to rethink its fleet strategy, especially since A380s will be retired around the mid-2030s.
Continue reading: Emirates’ First & Business Class Plans For New Fleet
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Regarding the 777X I bet my rented house on it it will never go above an "order."
I believe that A/C will only be used as show of on Airshows.
It's true that First Class is no longer as important with Business Class becoming the new gold standard, however, Emirates is one of the few offerings to offer a truly elevated First Class offering and not having it on the A350 seems like a miss.
It was a surprise that first was gone on the Airbus, but I guess it makes sense. For me I'm flying first for the single reason I don't want their stupid 2-3-2 Business 777ER config that most airlines have ditched decades ago. Yes it's nice to get caviar and great champagne when flying from a "remote" airport.
I don't mind EK in business on the A380 as its a 1-2-1 config, but if they are going to run business in a 1-2-1 setup I might actually fly more Emirates.
I flew F in 3 out of 4 legs just recently and it was a sad experience. Outbound I was the only F passenger on the 777ER, even on DBX-BKK on the A380 I was the only F passenger, felt really strange (but nice to have plenty of shower time..)
On the return on 777ER I was joined by two other passengers.
Am I the only one who finds the gold and wooden finishes of Emirates cabins to be extremely tacky and anachronic for this time and age? I know culturally most arab countries have a high regard of gold and metal but this style of cabin doesn't scream premium to me, not compared to the new JAL, ANA, Qatar Qsuites, or the upcoming Cathay that seems so snazzy and well thought out. Hopefully they will change their aesthetics with the influx of new aircraft. I think Ethihad does middle eastern luxury with more class. This cabins remind me of that review Ben did about that horrible seven stars hotel with the tacky interiors and colors, very Dubai, an arabian nights nightmare.
The business class on EKs 777 sucks. Just recliner seats, no flat beds, 2-3-2 configuration. Even LH business class is better - and that tells you something. LH ditched the recliner seats a decade ago. If it is not A380, it is not EK.
Why offer a first class cabin on routes where it doesn't sell? It's not good business to give away an expensive product for award sears, upgrades, and industry tickets. If it doesn't sell, don't offer it; and on routes where it does sell keep them open for cash buyers until the last minute. They're in business to make money.
Business travelers don’t buy FC - no sane company would make it part of thier travel policy. Business people travel for meetings not to get drunk and stuff themselves with food. Get on, eat a quick meal is needed, a drink, water and sleep. Land and get to critical meetings. Bloggers and awards travelers sure - but they don’t pay the bills. Facts.
I travel only for pleasure/pay cash only. Their First class is too expensive. Also travelling from Europe I prefer Singapore, Swiss or even Lufthansa as have 1 short leg and 1 long leg. I can't sleep during 6-7 hrs flight. For that reason I use EK/QR very rarely. Good to know they finally decided to renew the fleet as current business class is not acceptable.
Not having Premium Economy on medium/long haul planes in 2024 is a big miss.
Of course First is cooler to write about (and ride in), but that's really for a small minority of travelers only.
A decent Business Class and Premium Economy are far more relevant. That's indeed where Emirates needs to catch up.
Exactly. I don’t understand how people prefer splitting their trips in two. You don’t get to eat well if you choose to sleep, and you get minimal sleep if you choose to have the full meal.
Additionally, you’re basically adding HOURS to your trip by flying (from eu to Asia) two 6-8 hr flights with transit in Middle East
I don’t understand people that need to eat seven meals on a 15 hour trip - you honestly need a meal in the departure lounge, 1-2 meals on both flights and then another in the connecting lounge?
I struggle to sleep on planes anyway, so I quite like the break in the Middle East. 3 hours sleep is all I’m ever going to get on a plane max anyway. In addition, it’s nice to get a proper lie flat all the way - I hate the feeling of sitting in some random European airport after a longhaul flight waiting to get into a Eurobiz seat after not sleeping properly on a flight from Asia. EK F / QR J avoids that.
Is it just me or do Emirates first class interiors have a 1990's timeshare vibe?
I have been first class with Emirates since 1992 very sad to hear that they will drop it on many of their flights , Emirates was the only airline in the world was rolling out a full first class on almost all their route , by closing down first class on many routes, passengers will go more for the business class or finding another airline , sad news for such a great airline EK
As an aside I do wonder how many business people are ever in business class?
Perhaps a different title would not go amiss.
Any talk of a lounge on the a350?
Will couples be able to chat easily or sit across/aside for meals? The current layouts look to be more of a barrier to banter.
Traveling from NZ to Scotland next year & I think the a350 will be on that route. Cheers
It's very simple - not everyone wants to sleep. First of all, some of us are light sleepers on planes and second, it's not always good for fighting jetlag. Ironically I also avoid ME3 but for the opposite reason - they often do westbound flights overnight which is very bad for jetlag. When flying westbound I want to depart in the morning of the old time and land in the evening of the new time. That way I simply extend the travel day by several hours and then I'm set for the new time zone.
Regarding the 777X I bet my rented house on it it will never go above an "order."
I believe that A/C will only be used as show of on Airshows.
It's true that First Class is no longer as important with Business Class becoming the new gold standard, however, Emirates is one of the few offerings to offer a truly elevated First Class offering and not having it on the A350 seems like a miss.
It was a surprise that first was gone on the Airbus, but I guess it makes sense. For me I'm flying first for the single reason I don't want their stupid 2-3-2 Business 777ER config that most airlines have ditched decades ago. Yes it's nice to get caviar and great champagne when flying from a "remote" airport.
I don't mind EK in business on the A380 as its a 1-2-1 config, but if they are going to run business in a 1-2-1 setup I might actually fly more Emirates.
I flew F in 3 out of 4 legs just recently and it was a sad experience. Outbound I was the only F passenger on the 777ER, even on DBX-BKK on the A380 I was the only F passenger, felt really strange (but nice to have plenty of shower time..)
On the return on 777ER I was joined by two other passengers.
Am I the only one who finds the gold and wooden finishes of Emirates cabins to be extremely tacky and anachronic for this time and age? I know culturally most arab countries have a high regard of gold and metal but this style of cabin doesn't scream premium to me, not compared to the new JAL, ANA, Qatar Qsuites, or the upcoming Cathay that seems so snazzy and well thought out. Hopefully they will change their aesthetics with the influx of new aircraft. I think Ethihad does middle eastern luxury with more class. This cabins remind me of that review Ben did about that horrible seven stars hotel with the tacky interiors and colors, very Dubai, an arabian nights nightmare.
The business class on EKs 777 sucks. Just recliner seats, no flat beds, 2-3-2 configuration. Even LH business class is better - and that tells you something. LH ditched the recliner seats a decade ago. If it is not A380, it is not EK.
Why offer a first class cabin on routes where it doesn't sell? It's not good business to give away an expensive product for award sears, upgrades, and industry tickets. If it doesn't sell, don't offer it; and on routes where it does sell keep them open for cash buyers until the last minute. They're in business to make money.
Business travelers don’t buy FC - no sane company would make it part of thier travel policy. Business people travel for meetings not to get drunk and stuff themselves with food. Get on, eat a quick meal is needed, a drink, water and sleep. Land and get to critical meetings. Bloggers and awards travelers sure - but they don’t pay the bills. Facts.
I travel only for pleasure/pay cash only. Their First class is too expensive. Also travelling from Europe I prefer Singapore, Swiss or even Lufthansa as have 1 short leg and 1 long leg. I can't sleep during 6-7 hrs flight. For that reason I use EK/QR very rarely. Good to know they finally decided to renew the fleet as current business class is not acceptable.
Exactly. I don’t understand how people prefer splitting their trips in two. You don’t get to eat well if you choose to sleep, and you get minimal sleep if you choose to have the full meal.
Additionally, you’re basically adding HOURS to your trip by flying (from eu to Asia) two 6-8 hr flights with transit in Middle East
I don’t understand people that need to eat seven meals on a 15 hour trip - you honestly need a meal in the departure lounge, 1-2 meals on both flights and then another in the connecting lounge?
I struggle to sleep on planes anyway, so I quite like the break in the Middle East. 3 hours sleep is all I’m ever going to get on a plane max anyway. In addition, it’s nice to get a proper lie flat all the way - I hate the feeling of sitting in some random European airport after a longhaul flight waiting to get into a Eurobiz seat after not sleeping properly on a flight from Asia. EK F / QR J avoids that.
It's very simple - not everyone wants to sleep. First of all, some of us are light sleepers on planes and second, it's not always good for fighting jetlag. Ironically I also avoid ME3 but for the opposite reason - they often do westbound flights overnight which is very bad for jetlag. When flying westbound I want to depart in the morning of the old time and land in the evening of the new time. That way I simply extend the travel day by several hours and then I'm set for the new time zone.
Not having Premium Economy on medium/long haul planes in 2024 is a big miss.
Of course First is cooler to write about (and ride in), but that's really for a small minority of travelers only.
A decent Business Class and Premium Economy are far more relevant. That's indeed where Emirates needs to catch up.
Is it just me or do Emirates first class interiors have a 1990's timeshare vibe?
I have been first class with Emirates since 1992 very sad to hear that they will drop it on many of their flights , Emirates was the only airline in the world was rolling out a full first class on almost all their route , by closing down first class on many routes, passengers will go more for the business class or finding another airline , sad news for such a great airline EK
As an aside I do wonder how many business people are ever in business class?
Perhaps a different title would not go amiss.
Any talk of a lounge on the a350?
Will couples be able to chat easily or sit across/aside for meals? The current layouts look to be more of a barrier to banter.
Traveling from NZ to Scotland next year & I think the a350 will be on that route. Cheers