Surprisingly, this was my first time actually transiting in Dubai. Like this one, my previous trips on Emirates had been booked through Alaska Mileage Plan, which allows free stopovers at partner hubs on award tickets. A stopover wasn't really a compelling option on this trip, given we'd already delayed our original departure, but we still…
Continue reading: Review: Emirates First Class 777-300ER Dubai To Amman
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I was horrified when you said you exchanged money at the airport! But thank goodness it was just for the visa, and you withdrew more later, presumably from an ATM with a no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card. Well done!
Great trip report too. That 777 lighting is magical!
I'm gonna say it: I prefer the EK 777 first class over the A380.
Love the showers on the A380, the bar is great, but I just still prefer the 777. And it feels (though I can't prove it and I've never brought a tape measure) like the 777 suites are wider(?).
I don't really fly business class, but if I were to, I would obviously prefer the 380, as business class seats on the 777s sort of suck.
@ C -- Hah, yes, not something I would ever do typically, but I had extra Dirhams in my wallet anyway, and I'd read that there was only one pre-immigration ATM at the Amman Airport, and that it had horrible rates and could have long lines at peak times.
Otherwise yes, I always get cash from the ATM with my USAA debit card. 🙂
I had read another blogger's trip report about the 777 (AKL > SYD), and he compared it favorably to the A380, so it's nice to get confirmation from someone else.
I'm surprised you didn't get the Mezze, since you had missed out on the F one on your last trip report...
HI Tiffany
Was the wine this one? Château Branaire-Ducru 2005, Saint-Julien
@ john galbraith -- HOLY COW THAT'S AMAZING!! Do you have any idea how much time I spent on google image search trying to find that? Updating the post now!
@Tiffany - Thank you but I must confuse I sorted of cheated. I did the same as you and tried using google image search and a few other tricks; none worked. Then I did a very simple google search "what red wine is served on emirates first class" and top result was this page;
https://www.emirates.com/english/flying/dining/wines/inflight-wine.aspx
At the bottom of the page you can enter your flight number and a wine list comes up. Although it changes each month your wine happened to be there still. I was lucky!
@ John Galbraith -- Nicely done! I don't want to admit to how long I (unsuccessfully) spent looking on the Emirates website as well, oy. I'm going to blame having a new puppy 😉
@Tiffany - then that is Emirates website that is too blame not user error or a new puppy! (seriously I have often found it is easier to find something on a companies website via google than searching directly.)
note to self - too much geekness must get new hobby or life. hee hee
Thanks for another great review. Really enjoy reading your reviews.
Regarding this comment -
"I think this plane may have also been newer than the A380s I’ve flown, given the “stars” and mood-lighting, and the entire effect was just really pretty."
Is the mood-lighting new only on 77Ws? I had experienced the stars and mood-lighting 8 years ago (for the first time and had fallen in love with it 🙂 on EK's 77L, so it would be surprising to know that they didn't have it on their 77Ws at the same time.
@Tiffany, I thought Fi had coverage in Jordan? Or did you just want something local?
@ KJ -- I don't know that it's "new" just "newer," or at least newly refreshed. I believe the newer A380s have stars (and in the carpeting as well!), but I've never seen the effect on the older A380s.
@Tiffany - Then it looks like the EK's 777s had mood lighting before their A380s. So I had seen it on their 77L back in 2009, and in fact found this comment on airliners.net from 2007 -
"is mood lighting standard equipment on the 77w? Emirates, Etihad, Singapore and Air Canada all seem to have mood lighting factory fitted on their 77Ws"
How much was the rental? International driving licence required?
Guessing you used a cc that provides primary coverage
Tiffany, I was in Egypt and Jordan over Thanksgiving and used Fi all over. Driving from Amman to Petra and back. Worked just fine.
Also, you should have got the Jordan Pass instead of buying visa on arrival. Cheaper as it gets you into Petra and several other sites. We stopped along the highway at several simply because they were included in the pass.
Interior pasta cream & cheese is not a "safe" option. Cook it (all the way through), boil it, peel it, or forget it, snowflake.
Just had to say a great review, will be flying on this in a couple of weeks... and thank you for putting the toilet seat down on the bathroom shot. LOL
@ Kyle -- Yeah, it's interesting. The Fi site says they're "testing" in Jordan, but they don't guarantee coverage. We had cell service everywhere, but not data (which is all I actually care about) other than when we were picking up a signal from Israel.
And absolutely agree on the Jordan Pass -- will have a post at the end with "things I wish I'd known."
@ Abe -- ~250JOD plus some taxes. International drivers license technically required, but wasn't asked for. And most of the cards with good rental car coverage are always primary internationally, but we used the Sapphire Preferred here.
I love the Langoliers reference! That mini-series is one of my all time favorite guilty pleasures! Such cheap TV special effects, but fun nonetheless.
Love the review, and love that you linked all the wines to current prices. I don't care if people think it's tacky. The first thing I do is Google all the wines and top shelf spirits. You saved me the trouble.
I've flown F on EK 77W before (MAA-DXB-SEA) rtn. I prefer the 77W because it is very cozy and intimate. There is just something special - worth more than the bar and shower - I cannot describe.
Looks like it might be out of testing now, Jordan just seems to show regular rates: https://fi.google.com/about/rates/?country=JO
@ Gaurav -- Interesting, on there "Where you can use Project Fi" page it still has asterisks next to Jordan, with "* We're constantly working to expand Project Fi functionality to new countries. These are some countries we're currently testing where you might find Project Fi service works as well." and "** Wi-Fi calls not available in these countries."
Would be awesome if it works there now!
Fantastic review, Tiffany. I completely agree that the 77W on Emirates is as nice as the A380. There are aspects to it that are better, and some not as good (showers, mostly). Regardless, I definitely enjoyed my experience heading from DXB-MLE a few months back, though my plane wasn't quite as swanky as yours. http://bit.ly/2lffpfr
I too am surprised you didn't order the mezze this time...unless they ran out again? 😉
I was in Jordan and Egypt a month ago and had absolutely no problems with Fi. Data usage up the wazoo, even posted pics on FB while standing in front of the Siq.
Did you try the Graham's 1972 Tawny Port? I think the FA put remarks in my passenger file because it was brought to my seat proactively on the return flight ; )
Hi Tiffany,
Are you all tracking the On-Board Lounge overhaul on the A380, beginning in July of 2017?
I'm flying the A380, in July. I am so crossing my fingers in hopes that I am able to grab an inaugural flight. I would LOVE to test that thing out!!
Happy flying!!
Great post Tiffany.
Do you recommend when travelling EK F in the 777 as a couple, should you get the two neighbouring seats in the middle of one window and one middle?
Absolutely loved this review!! The level of detail from start to finish was really great and I am in love with the first class lighting on the ceiling. The ability to customise the aircraft to that level is just mindblowing! I wonder do they offer this onboard all of their 773ers?
Was lucky enough to have the entire first class cabin in a 777 all for myself on the long flight between Dubai and Melbourne late last month.
A couple of points I would make: The toilet is a disgrace! It's a standard economy class toilet with some faux wood etc....so yeah, it's EXTREMELY cramped in there. No comparison to the A380.
And....what is the point of the mini bar at your seat? It's not refrigerated, and you can order the exact same drinks from the galley, and they're nice and cold!
Agree on the lighting though, it's magical!
@Tiffany - Emirates question for you. Arriving at DXB from IAD in F around 8AM. We have an 8 hour layover (before departing to MCT in F) so plan to go into the city for a bit. Emirates just downgraded the flight from an A380 to a 77W so we'll want to grab a shower before leaving the airport. Would you head over to the F lounge or do you have another recommendation to grab a quick shower before cleaning immigration? Thanks in advance for your help!
@ Evan -- You know, I hadn't really thought about it previously, but DXB isn't really set up well for what you're wanting to do. You still can, but it won't be super easy.
You'll arrive "landside" and would have to clear transit security to get back to the lounge. Expect that to take at least 30 minutes. But I don't actually know if you can get landside again after entering the secured area. It seems like you'd need to get an escort to unlock gates for you, as there isn't any mingling of departure and arrivals areas at DXB, and that might be difficult.
It's also worth noting that the showers in the F lounge are very poor, and frequently don't have hot water.
I am a 3x a day shower-er, but this is a case where I'd probably wash my face in the sink and just go into the city unshowered. Maybe plan on arriving back at the airport a bit earlier to use the spa and shower before your flight to Muscat?