I rank Emirates’ new first class as one of the world’s best first class products. Readers often have questions about whether a particular flight is scheduled to feature the new first class, so in this post, I want to cover that in a bit more detail, and provide an update on which routes are currently scheduled to have the new product.
This coincides with the launch of the IATA summer 2025 schedule, which applies for flights between late March and late October.
In this post:
What makes Emirates’ new first class special?
While Emirates first class has long been a world class product, the airline took it to the next level with its new first class, introduced in late 2017 (okay, I guess it’s not really that “new” anymore, but it is rare). The new first class is available exclusively on select Boeing 777-300ERs, and features just six seats. It’s simply an incredible product.
While there are lots of first class suites with doors nowadays, this one is actually fully enclosed, floor-to-ceiling. This suite also has an unbelievable number of gadgets, from temperature controls in your private suite, to lighting controls where you can choose the color and intensity of the lighting.
To get a sense of how awesome this product is, check out my full Emirates new first class trip report from a flight I took between Washington and Dubai. I’d say the only product that can compete with this nowadays is Japan Airlines’ Airbus A350-1000 first class.
Which planes feature Emirates’ new first class?
Even though Emirates has a fleet of over 250 aircraft (primarily Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, but now also some Airbus A350s), only nine planes feature the new first class seats. More specifically, the last nine Boeing 777-300ERs that Emirates ever took delivery of have this cabin. Emirates took delivery of these planes between 2017 and 2018, and they have the following registration codes:
The above links go to the Flightradar24 pages for each of the planes, so you can track where they’ve been flying.
Just to be perfectly clear, while Emirates’ A380s offer an incredible first class experience with onboard showers and a bar, no A380s feature the new first class seats.
Furthermore, while Emirates is reconfiguring its 777s with new business class seats, the airline isn’t installing its new first class on these jets. I don’t want to go so far as to say that Emirates’ new first class is a gimmick, but the fact that the airline isn’t installing this on 777s even as it refreshes all other cabins is quite a letdown.
How can you tell if your plane features Emirates’ new first class?
The best way to tell for sure if you’re scheduled to be on a plane with Emirates’ new first class is to look at the seat map. If the seat map shows eight seats in first class (two rows in a 1-2-1 configuration) then you’re scheduled to be on a 777 with the old first class.
Meanwhile if the seat map shows six seats in first class (two rows in a 1-1-1 configuration) then you’re scheduled to be on a 777 with the new first class.
Let me once again emphasize that aircraft assignments are subject to change, especially if you’re still a long time from departure.
Which routes feature Emirates’ new first class?
Let’s take a look at the routes on which Emirates has currently scheduled its Boeing 777s with the new first class cabins. For the summer season, you can expect to find the new 777s flying between Dubai and the following destinations:
- Brussels (BRU) on EK183/184 & EK181/182
- Chicago (ORD) on EK235/236
- Geneva (GVA) on EK83/84 & EK89/90
- Kuwait City (KWI) on EK855/856
- Melbourne (MEL) on EK404/405
- Riyadh (RUH) on EK815/816
- Tokyo (HND) on EK312/313
- Zurich (ZRH) on EK86/85
Let me emphasize that this schedule is always subject to change, and there may be some variation with specific frequencies. So you’ll want to always check the seat map for a particular flight to ensure that it’s actually scheduled to be operated by one of these aircraft.
Emirates also tends to have some last minute aircraft swaps, so you may book a route scheduled to feature the new first class and not get it. Conversely, you may book a route scheduled to be operated by the old first class, and luck out with the new first class. In particular, we see quite a few swaps on the short routes to Kuwait and Riyadh.
As you can see above, for the summer schedule, Emirates is operating the new 777 on three “true” long haul routes, to Chicago, Melbourne, and Tokyo. I’m happy to see this plane flying on longer flights, since it really lets you enjoy the experience more.
Will more planes get Emirates’ new first class?
Emirates introduced its new first class nearly eight years ago, and still only nine planes have the new first class. When can we expect more planes to get this new first class product?
- There are no concrete plans for Emirates to reconfigure any existing planes with the new first class product; while Emirates is reconfiguring some existing 777s with premium economy and a new business class, installing the new first class isn’t part of the plan
- Rather, the new first class product will be rolled out on Emirates’ upcoming Boeing 777Xs, as the airline has 205 of these planes on order
- The catch is that Emirates was supposed to start taking delivery of the 777X in 2021, but that has now been delayed until 2026 at the earliest
- Emirates is also taking delivery of Airbus A350s, but these planes won’t feature a first class cabin
Unfortunately it sounds like we shouldn’t expect any more planes to feature the new first class until 2026 at the earliest. I can’t help but find that disappointing. By the time the 777-9s are delivered, Emirates’ “new” first class will be nearly a decade old, and will be on only nine aircraft.
Emirates is reportedly considering sending its 777-300ERs back into the shop for a second time, to get the new first class, but that’s not a confirmed plan, and there’s no timeline for that yet.
How do you redeem miles for Emirates first class?
The best way to redeem miles for Emirates first class is directly through the Skywards program. The good news is that Skywards is transfer partners with all major transferable points currencies, including Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou, so there are lots of ways to earn Skywards miles.
First class award availability can be tough to come by on planes with the new first class, given how small the cabin is. That being said, we often see one seat released in advance, and then more seats released as the departure date approaches.
The real trick to scoring an Emirates first class award seat is to book a business class award, and then upgrade at the airport or on the plane using Skywards miles, as that generally gets you last seat availability.
Bottom line
Emirates’ new first class product is incredible, and I rank it as the best in the world. Unfortunately it’s only available on nine aircraft, so a vast majority of Emirates first class passengers won’t get to experience it.
Hopefully the above is a useful overview of what makes the product special, and what routes you can regularly find it on. At the moment, Emirates is offering its new first class to destinations like Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Melbourne, and Tokyo.
If you’ve flown the new Emirates first class, what was your experience like?
I have only experienced the new Emirates 777 First Class (FCL) on one daylight flight of about 6 1/2 hours, so I did not have a chance to sample the new bed.
What struck me was that the change from 1-2-1 to 1-1-1 seating seemed to create a lot of unused space in the individual new FCL suites.
Sitting in the middle seat, where the “window” was an image relayed from a camera...
I have only experienced the new Emirates 777 First Class (FCL) on one daylight flight of about 6 1/2 hours, so I did not have a chance to sample the new bed.
What struck me was that the change from 1-2-1 to 1-1-1 seating seemed to create a lot of unused space in the individual new FCL suites.
Sitting in the middle seat, where the “window” was an image relayed from a camera outside I also noted that the lines did not really match, but at least Emirates tried to address the problem of windowless FCL seats.
Always enjoyed their FCL product.
I would not call it “gimmicks” (and everyone is free to choose another airline’s FCL product if the person so chooses), but Emirates is certainly aware of the value of good publicity.
One can also book Emirates through Aeroplan, though the redemption points are higher than with other partner airlines.
I had 2 friends that flew ATH-EWR last month and they got the new first.
Even today flight to/from ATH is with the “new” F seats. I didn’t get lucky when I flew it in Jan.
I'm surprised NYC - the centre of the universe doesn't get it.
That would maybe have something to do with all frequencies to JFK being on A380’s & EWR’s frequency operating with ATH, a non-premium destination.
It's kinda funny that Chicago gets the premium cabin but now NYC or London... Given that so many rich Emiratis frequent between uae and London, you would think London gets the priority...
Well London and New York largely get the A380
@ Ken -- Keep in mind from Emirates' perspective, the airline probably doesn't want to offer its best first class product to the highest demand destinations. Why? Well, the seats take up more space, and it requires reducing capacity from eight seats to six seats.
So of course offering a better product sounds good, though in reality, Emirates has no issues selling its old first class either.
Your use of the word “gimmick” is accurate. Emirates strikes me as a “smoke and mirrors” airline: there is a tiny number of breath-taking halo products; meanwhile the vast majority of the fleet is really sub-standard (2-3-2 in business class?!).
Not even average. I avoid them wherever possible.
@ The nice Paul -- I hear you, though in fairness, the old 777 first class and A380 first class are amazing as well. But yeah, the rollout of this product has been awful.
Regarding business class, at least Emirates is making good progress with retrofitting 777s, and now a majority of the fleet has direct aisle access from every business class seat. You're right, though, Emirates has certainly benefited from a halo effect.
You say “gimmick” I say “bait and switch”. It’s pretty incredible that it’s taken so long for Emirates to redo their 777 business class. When even AA has been guaranteeing all-aisle access on their wide bodies for several years, there really is no excuse to be so stubbornly mediocre as far as seats are concerned.
JNB and CPT were just announced by Emirates this week to have this 777 on one flight number per day respectively.
@ Altus -- I believe those destinations are getting 777s with the new business class and premium economy, but not with the new first class (since aircraft retrofits don't include the new first class).