Emirates has today unveiled its much anticipated new Boeing 777 business class. Well, you should definitely manage your expectations, as it should look familiar…
Continue reading: Revealed: New Emirates Boeing 777 Business (Disappointing?)
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Much anticipated by who?
I don’t think many people expected much from Emirates. Their products have always been cheap and behind times, relying on a handful of “wow factor” elements that create the halo effect. In my opinion they are the most overrated airline as a whole! As I always say, clever marketing and it does the job because people buy into the ideology. Good for them though. They do well out of it!
This is a very middling product, but it will be a while before the EK loyal flyers realize that other airlines in the region are providing a much much better experience. Add to it EK's vast network that gets most flyers to any destination with a single stop, and EK has rightly assessed the market situation that they do not need to over-invest than what they have done with this product.
Sure it is quite underwhelming product to be introduced in 2024.
On the other hand, many people have been saying that installing doors on a business class seat is pointless, but I'm sure that those people won't be happy to finally see a new business class seat without a door.
While it's such a big improvement over their old 777 business class seat, I can't help but realise that Emirates kinda messed up with their refurbishment plan. Unless there's a problem with installing more GC first class suites, refurbishing already GC cabin-equipped planes first doesn't make sense.
To be honest, I’m not that bothered by this seat. Many premium travellers are not that fussed with the door. Furthermore, I think it was a solid product on the A380, and I like that they’re going for consistency across their fleet. The finishes I think are very nice, keeping the Emirates bling but also being easier on the eye, and personally I like the mini-bar, even though it’s not that useful.
I was expecting a door and 4K screens, but this is probably just an interim solution until the new jets start rolling out, so I'd probably wait for the A350. But they could've lengthened the privacy shield nonetheless akin to CX's current longhaul seats.
Mutton dressed as lamb comes to mind. To be expected from the most overrated airline in the world IMO. Gotta give it to them for their marketing skills.. Ask anyone off the street in UK which is the best airline and they will all say EK. This is despite being very average and having the worst J seats among all major airlines (2-3-2).
but I'm sure that those people won't be happy to finally see a new business class seat without a door.
Anecdotal though it may be, I've never even *heard* of someone booking away from a carrier due to the absence of doors.... or of doors factoring into their purchase decision in any way or fashion.
Not in passing, not even third party mention.
Concern for doors doesn't appear to exist outside of travel blogs.
If Emirates is one of your few options for many routes, this is an exciting development. Finally a normal ass product. Groundbreaking or exceptionally executed? No, but still this will make many people happy.
I think doors add a bit personally but also it's rater insignificant to the whole experience and not worth going a more expensive or longer route with it
It was pretty evident due to the lack of spin and PR that EK was not planning a game changing product, it’s certainly an improvement on the current product but lack of more privacy is a surprise.
Actually I don't get the point of installing a product onto a flagship game-changer 777. Well, though it isn't so outdated, it's neither the most private product, nor the latest. Why would one of the world's best airline do this? Frankly I think it's a bland move. Not bad, but could've been way more impressive.
So MEH.
I can remember reading somewhere that the new 777 Business Class will feature "next level technology".
And here we have an off the shelf already outdated seat with no wireless charging, no bluetooth audio. Dumb.
Oh but forgot....it has a personal minibar with room temperature drinks WOWWWWWWW
It always cracks me up how negative and critical the frequent flier community is. Yes, it's not the most innovative or exciting product, but I'd point out that the fact that this isn't that innovative or exciting shows just how comfortable flying in premium classes is now. Bottom line, this is a big improvement from their previous 777 J.
“raising the industry benchmark when it comes to premium travel?”
Tim Clark just pulled a Tim Dunn!?
I agree with your point.
But there are certain airlines in the world - Virgin, Emirates and Qatar come to mind - that are always making so much hype and noise about how amazing and next level their products are. So, they need to be called out when they launch something that doesn't live up to the expectations they themselves have created.
I get that the larger console, the larger footwell, but it’s way bigger than the seat which looks quite narrow to be honest.
Emirates has the brand now, people choose to fly it regardless, and it has a lot of customer loyalty. They don't need to be industry leading.
It makes perfect sense
These are the newest 777’s hence they have a longer useful life compared to a 20 year old one which will be retired in a few years
By refurbishing the newer planes first emirates can continue to fly them for years and years to come
Off topic but it does involve Emirates. Are they playing with fire? In recent days all airlines are avoiding Iran/Iraq, even Qatar Airways. But not Emirates, majority of their flights are still taking usual route. I have a flight from Europe to Dubai in few days and for the first time feeling very uneasy about it....
Wasn’t expecting much more, very un-visionary. Inflated fares for a sub-par experience. Haven’t flown EK in years.
To be really fair to Emirates, I'm not sure if they did that this time round? You had to be quite updated on the market to know that Emirates was pushing out a new product. This isn't like Lufthansa, who showed pictures and named their product seven years before it came out.
I do think Emirates is falling behind the fierce competiton between airlines. Airlines like JAL and Qatar Airways improve their products so quickly, even Lufthansa is stepping forward. Unbelievable that EK is releasing such an outdated product.
Flew 5 segments with them and will not be on them again. They simply do not care to invest in the product -- this J is a decade behind, and on my flights, they seem to have ignored maintainence as well, with a lavatory not locking, charging port broken, seat cushion damaged, and seat not reclining properly
I would be surprised if they put new F on all the refurbed 777s for the sole reason it will reduce the number of seats they can sell from 8 to 6
This feels like when Apple finally put USB-C on their iPhones, years after everyone else
Also does this mean some of the already-few GC 777-300ERs are out of service while these seats are being installed on them?
Maybe I missed it, but how many J seats compared to the old configuration? If there is the same amount of J seats this would be a game changer for me.
So many airlines are flying over Iran and Iraq. Just check flight radar. Even know I see 15 planes flying over.
The halo is real, cannot tell you how many people proudly tell me they are flying MXP on EK with poor J seats
Ek knows its clients. It knows what will work or not. It has gotten away with 2x3x2 for years, and people kept flying it. Those who stay away, are replaced by others.
This is what they have chosen (for whatever reason) If you don't like it, fly another carrier. 😉
Most overrated airline in the world, but most people have no idea that better options exist.
Not Bad compared to what they have currently! obviously not even close to Qatar, Quads!
PERFECT description:
People who don't know any better, think that they're getting some kind of great product.
My analytical judgement is they are augmenting an okayish seat with a better soft product. I mean who else is serving Veuve Cliquot (or champagnes of that caliber in Business Class) consistently? Their catering is decent, price wise they consistently cater premium/luxury wines. Amenit kits, decent lounges with pretty good snacks/food. They are the housewives of airlines. I have noted (either for economic/production) many airlines have downgraded to subpar champagnes. American for one serves prosecco (just eww!), Singapore Airlines downgraded from Charles Hiedsieck and Bollinger (which are more or less in the same caliber as VC), KLM and LH group serve what AF serves in coach or Y+. Cathay Pacific downgraded from Billecart Salmon to whatever they feel like serving. Qatar went from serving Laurent Perrier Cuvee Alexandre Rose, to Lanson and Drappier Rose(in Spring/Summer '24). People going on vacation want it the orange label and Hennessy XO for their content and to feel special. While the hard product isnt the most cutting edge, their soft product definitely is consistently blingy.
Not true. EK, QR, KLM etc have been avoiding said airspaces since some point last week.
Their ME rivals, Etihad and Qatar both have a better product. I place Emirates last out of the three for business class.
If y have ever experienced Qatar Airways Q-suites y just will fly with them forever. Its a pity that Emirates not even introduced sliding doors to improve privacy..
Totally true, no matter if your car is old and worn down as long as you can flaunt your iPhone 16 PRO, just like nouveau riche travellers who don't know any better and flaunt their Emirates mileage.
The foot wells look wider than the seats. This is what Sir Tim Clark called "cutting edge" business class seats a few months ago. There is nothing cutting edge here. The product is an improvement over their outdated 2-3-2 business class though.
It looks awful. Like 20yrs old plane. First class is great but all other classes ? Can't be bothered
Their premium economy is one of the best out there, albeit also one of the most expensive
@Guest - that's not what I'm saying.
Emirates also has 777s built between 2012-2017ish, and those still have their old cabin. My point was that Emirates should have started those not-so-old 777s first rather than those already have a newer cabin.
I think this product is magnificent, and helps Emirates bring itself up to the standards of the world's best airlines.
The Airbus 380 product is already top notch. The Boeing 777 product will soon be top notch as well.
It isn't just the soft product like the catering and courteous flight attendants, it is also the sheer opulence of the cabins which makes Emirates Airlines a star !
Errr... you are writing about champagne a lot, but, sorry to tell you - you don't know much about it (judged by what you've written). Veuve Cliquot same "caliber" as Charles or Bollinger?? It most certainly is not. "People going on vacation want it the orange label and Hennessy XO for their content and to feel special" ... oh dear. Orange label is special? What's next - Moet is special too...?
By the way - Singapore seem to be serving Piper Heidsieck - that's on par with Veuve... No-one in the industry (wine and restaurant/hospitality that is, and I'm talking high end fine dining) considers Veuve Yellow Label or Moet special... quite the opposite.
I think they are a bit sneaky re the first class. I read somewhere between 6-8 seats will installed which aligns with game changer/old first. Sounds like they are not retrofitting the majority of the fleet with the game changer.