I’ve already written extensively about Emirates’ new first class, which I flew on Monday from Dubai to Brussels. I shared the most over the top aspects of the product, and also why I think it’s a game changer as far as first class seats go.
While I think the seat is exceptionally well designed and thought out, I wanted to provide some balance in this post and share the few downsides that I see with the product. Again, I think they did a really spectacular job with the cabins, and no cabin will be perfect. It also goes without saying that all of these are first world problems. 😉
What don’t I love?
The bathrooms are small
While Emirates’ A380s feature ridiculous onboard shower spas that are as big as some NYC apartments, the 777 features significantly smaller bathrooms. Even with the redesign, the first class lavatories on the 777 are small. Maybe this is less of an issue than in the past, given that you can now change in your own private suite, rather than having to go to the lavatory.
It’s not ideal for couples
Emirates’ new first class consists of six fully enclosed, individual suites. While many people traveling in first class are business travelers, I know Emirates also gets a fair number of first class leisure travelers.
Unfortunately this product isn’t really practical for those traveling as a couple who want to spend any amount of time together onboard. Singapore’s new Suites allows couples to create a double Suite, which is pretty awesome. In the case of Emirates’ new first class, there’s not even an option to dine together.
I guess this is a small price to pay for what’s a revolutionary hard product. Emirates’ new first class cabin has roughly the same footprint as Cathay Pacific’s first class cabin, and they’ve done so much more with it.
The seat slides to the side
This is incredibly minor, but is worth being aware of, or else you may accidentally break some of your personal belongings. When you recline your seat it shifts several inches towards the window. I’m not totally sure I get why it’s designed this way, but this is worth being aware of. The suite has somewhat limited storage (at least when you account for the lack of overhead bins), so I found myself storing my laptop to the side sometimes. Just be careful if you do that, because you don’t want the seat to crush whatever you may be placing over there.
Storage space is somewhat limited
Individually the suite has a lot of storage, more than just about any other first class product out there. You have a closet that’s big enough to store a full size carry-on, and a wardrobe on top of that. So while there’s plenty of storage within the suite, the issue is that they’ve eliminated virtually all storage in the cabin. Obviously there aren’t any overhead bins, but they don’t even have a closet at the front of the cabin where passengers can store things.
In my case I stored my 22″ carry-on in the closet, and then I placed my other bag at my feet. It’s fine to store things there, the only thing is that you have to move it when you recline your seat, or else it will get crushed. So if you’re like me and travel with a good bit of hand luggage, that’s something to be aware of.
Is the seat too high tech?
I suspect this is a way in which the airline just can’t win. The suite is so highly customizable. There are so many things you can control. There are several different sets of lights to control. I loved being able to play around with these options. However, for someone who isn’t as high tech (and I’m not high tech by any stretch of the imagining, but my dad, for example, just recently got his first cell phone), I think figuring out al the seat controls can require some effort.
Bad headphones & not-great pajamas
This isn’t specific to Emirates’ new first class, as the same is true on other planes. However, I felt like the headphones Emirates offers weren’t great. While they look good, the actual sound quality wasn’t great. I find it odd that the airline has an expensive pair of binoculars at each window seat, but doesn’t offer Bose (or equivalent) headphones.
I don’t view this as a huge issue since I always bring my own headphones, but it just seems to me like American offers these in business class, so Emirates should be able to offer them in first class.
Furthermore, in 2016 Emirates introduced the world’s first moisturizing pajamas. Allegedly the fabric releases naturally nutrient rich sea kelp as you move around, preventing dehydration and stimulating circulation. I was curious to experience firsthand if I noticed a difference. I didn’t. Not only that, but I didn’t like the pajamas as much as the old ones in terms of comfort. I felt like the top was similar to the cardigans they give you on Japanese airlines. Ideally I’d like to sleep in something lighter.
I can’t say I noticed the moisturizing aspect of the pajamas either.
Limited rollout
The above are super minor things, though this is my only real issue with Emirates’ new first class. This product is incredible, though Emirates will only have it on nine planes by the end of 2019. That means that in two years, fewer than 5% of Emirates’ fleet will feature the new first class.
Basically Emirates is just introducing this product on select newly delivered 777s, and has no immediate plans to install it on the A380. I hope they take into account the excellent feedback they’re getting on the product and decide to increase the pace at which they retrofit their existing planes (while introducing a new business class product as well).
Bottom line
Emirates’ new first class is spectacular. Most of the above are really minor points, though I thought they’d be interesting to share in order to provide some balance. Really my only beef with Emirates’ new first class is the limited rollout. The truth is that I almost found this product to be a waste on a short six hour flight to Brussels, since you don’t have enough time to enjoy the meal, relax, and sleep. This would be much more useful on an ultra longhaul route. Then again, I get why they’re not doing that. With plans to only install these cabins on nine planes in the next two years, even fewer routes would feature the new cabins if they put this on ultra longhauls.
You forgot to mention another downside:
Brussels? Geneva? Talk about boring destinations!
Shouldve added to JFK or LAX.
Lucky, as far as I remember Emirates was supposed to provide Bowers and Wilkins wireless headphones on their new first class. These headphones are surely comparable to if not better than Bose. Wonder why you didn't get them.
I'm surprised EK never followed its competitors (i.e. AF, CX, EY, etc. ) in allowing 2 people to dine together in a First Class suite. Personally I always find it better to have a conversation with someone while eating a meal on a flight.
Wait a second, I believe on the new SQ A380 suite it's not possible for couples to dine together as well. Regardless, thanks for this article and I look forward reading your SQ A380 new suite report!
Lucky, what is this anti-gravity seat function that I keep hearing about? Did you try it? What does it do?
Christ this horse isn't dead yet huh?
@Philip: They'd have to throw literals tons of money at it to retrofit every plane within a small period. Even if they managed one airplane per day, it would take them 3/4 of a year. That said Emirates obviously is at the other extreme. Two years and only 9 planes is indeed pretty pathetic.
I suspect that they want to replace plenty of jets post 2019 by new ones and thus avoid retrofitting a...
@Philip: They'd have to throw literals tons of money at it to retrofit every plane within a small period. Even if they managed one airplane per day, it would take them 3/4 of a year. That said Emirates obviously is at the other extreme. Two years and only 9 planes is indeed pretty pathetic.
I suspect that they want to replace plenty of jets post 2019 by new ones and thus avoid retrofitting a large portion of their fleet. But even then they could retrofit the new birds and fly the old ones around with the old product.
What is it about Middle Eastern carriers and their reluctance to update their old products with their latest? It’s never really part of their plans when they release new hard products!
Maybe it's just me, but I keep trying these new first products, and when I leave the plane, I always say, "That was good, but CX First was better." I don't know why people are so in love with a crappy door.
@Lucky, what makes you so sure they want to roll these seats out on every plane? Perhaps they want them on specific routes for specific reasons. Hence why the limited destinations and the limited number of plans.
I'm surprised you disliked the pajamas. I never got a chance to try the old ones but I really liked the new ones -- I guess the top might be a little heavier than some airlines' pajama tops, but it's not nearly as heavy as Singapore's pajama top for example, and Emirates does have air vents in first class (at least in their older product -- not sure about this new product). The bottom half...
I'm surprised you disliked the pajamas. I never got a chance to try the old ones but I really liked the new ones -- I guess the top might be a little heavier than some airlines' pajama tops, but it's not nearly as heavy as Singapore's pajama top for example, and Emirates does have air vents in first class (at least in their older product -- not sure about this new product). The bottom half is also lighter than the top. And both the top and the bottom wash very well without shrinking or warping; I find myself using the Emirates pajamas frequently in the time since I flew with them.
Yeah, the "moisturizing" aspect is marketing b.s., but ... did you really expect otherwise?
ITS NOT A REAL BED
Lucky i agree with you on the fact that those binoculars are very expensive similar if not more compared to pair of Bose headphones though the reason Emirates got the binoculars over Bose headphones is that i am pretty sure those binoculars are only on the 777's with the new first class (which there are very few of) though if they had have got Bose headphones they probably would have had to do it across...
Lucky i agree with you on the fact that those binoculars are very expensive similar if not more compared to pair of Bose headphones though the reason Emirates got the binoculars over Bose headphones is that i am pretty sure those binoculars are only on the 777's with the new first class (which there are very few of) though if they had have got Bose headphones they probably would have had to do it across all their fleet which would be very expensive (so really the binoculars is a bit of cost cutting while still making the product look great).
Bose headphones, although industry leaders in noise cancellation, are not particularly renowned for their sound reproduction. Are you conflating their cost with their sound fidelity?
Also, this:
Allegedly the fabric releases naturally nutrient rich sea kelp as you move around, preventing dehydration and stimulating circulation.
is arrant nonsense. "Sea kelp"? As opposed to land kelp? Are they suggesting that these pajamas actually cause you to end up covered in strands of seaweed? Why would "nutrients"...
Bose headphones, although industry leaders in noise cancellation, are not particularly renowned for their sound reproduction. Are you conflating their cost with their sound fidelity?
Also, this:
Allegedly the fabric releases naturally nutrient rich sea kelp as you move around, preventing dehydration and stimulating circulation.
is arrant nonsense. "Sea kelp"? As opposed to land kelp? Are they suggesting that these pajamas actually cause you to end up covered in strands of seaweed? Why would "nutrients" inside seaweed applied to your skin prevent dehydration or stimulate circulation? You could easily "stimulate circulation" by lining the pajamas with sandpaper or broken glass -- would that be a good thing?
Yeesh.
I didn't like it when I flew it a few days back. It reminded me more of a cramped apartment in Hong Kong rather than a suite of my own on board a flight. No way am I going back on it! I'll stick to AF/JL/GA. HD screen windows be damned
Articles like these are why I LOVE your blog, @Lucky. Thanks for always providing a different perspective to things. I like that you took the time to take photos of the moving seat to illistrate your point too!