Hello from Bogota! Emirates has just launched an exciting new daily service between Miami (MIA) and Bogota (BOG), as a continuation of the carrier’s Dubai (DXB) service. As a Miami resident, I was really excited about this new route — when I saw first class award availability on the inaugural flight, I couldn’t help but book it (even though I usually avoid inaugural flights).
I won’t be writing a standard trip report about the flight, given how often I’ve reviewed Emirates first class. Instead, I just wanted to focus on what makes this route unique, and how unbelievably good the experience was.
Flying Emirates from Miami to Bogota is surreal
I’ve flown Emirates first class a countless number of times over the years, though something about this flight felt so special. It was surreal to leave home late in the morning, be at my home airport a short while later, and then board a three hour Emirates flight.
When I board a three hour flight from my home airport, I’m usually flying American, so you can imagine that this flight felt like something out of the twilight zone. To get the full Emirates experience on a flight this short so close to home is simply unreal.
I do have one very serious complaint about the flight — it just wasn’t long enough!! I can totally relate to that Jennifer Aniston Emirates ad that goes back many years, where she asks the flight attendant if “there’s anyone we can talk to about maybe flying this around a little bit longer before we land?”
Emirates’ first class service is unbelievable
Emirates really is uncompromising with its service quality in first class. While Emirates slightly modifies its first class service on shorter flights, this route features all of the signature elements.
Service began with drinks, and the choice of nuts, olives, and/or chips.
That was followed by Emirates’ signature caviar course.
Then there was a choice of appetizers, and I selected the Arabic mezze.
For the main course, I had the pan-fried wagyu beef sirloin with hogao sauce, duck fat potato terrine, and asparagus. That’s right, I ordered beef for once!
Then for dessert, I had the bittersweet mocha cake with dulce de leche and kumquat compote, and a cappuccino.
And then to finish off the meal, I was offered a selection from Emirates’ extravagant chocolate box. I love how over-the-top the box is, as if each first class passenger is going to have a dozen chocolates after such a big meal.
And then as if that wasn’t enough, there were even more chocolates to take home (along with a roadie, natch — I’ll let y’all guess what was in it).
For those curious, below was the menu for the flight.
Even more impressive than the food was the drink selection. There were a dozen wines to choose from, but I could only accomplish so much on this short flight. After all, this wasn’t an ultra long haul Emirates flight, where you can sleep off your hangover. 😉
One of the highlights was of course the Dom Perignon 2013, which is always available in Emirates first class.
What delighted me even more, though, was the Opus One 2012, which was phenomenal. I’m not a huge red wine person, but Opus One goes down as easy as water (for better or worse).
Emirates also serves a special Dictador XO Colombian rum specifically on this route, and first class passengers were proactively offered that.
For those curious, below was the wine list for the flight. Honestly, in my ~15 years of consistently flying Emirates, this is possibly the best wine list I’ve ever seen on the airline.
As far as amenities go, Emirates’ full first class bedding was available, and pajamas and slippers were also available upon request.
The crew on this sector was phenomenal, with purser Julian and cabin crew Alison and Grace taking care of first class.
There wasn’t much fanfare for the inaugural
Emirates has spent a lot of money marketing this route, and there are ads all over Miami promoting this new service. So I was curious to see what the inaugural festivities would be like. To my surprise, there were very few.
There was no recognition of the inaugural in Miami, aside from a couple of signs about Bogota at the check-in counter.
There were some elements to the onboard experience that commemorated the occasion. For example, much of the crew was Colombian, including the captain, purser, and one of the first class flight attendants (I imagine there were other Colombian crew as well). They were proud to be working this flight, though sadly they had a direct turn, so they couldn’t even spend a night at “home.”
Inaugural flight certificates were also handed out before landing. While I’m a huge aviation geek, I’m never really sure what to do with these. They’re cute, but I’m also not going to frame them and put them on a wall.
The crew also did everything in their power to make the inaugural flight special, like coming around to each passenger and offering to snap their picture with a Polaroid.
On arrival in Bogota, we saw a ton of people standing on the apron photographing the aircraft. There was nothing special in the terminal, though.
It was nice to meet some fellow aviation geeks on the flight. I’m a bit surprised Emirates didn’t do more to celebrate the inaugural flight, but then again, I realize the challenging logistics of that (at what point do you really celebrate, given that this is a “direct,” multi-sector flight?). Yesterday was also a public holiday in Colombia, so it’s my understanding that Emirates has some other celebrations planned.
I can’t recommend Emirates’ new flight enough
Miami to Bogota is a competitive market, as it’s also served by American, avianca, LATAM, and now Emirates. If you’re flying between the United States and Colombia, I can’t recommend flying Emirates enough, whether you’re paying cash or redeeming miles.
Emirates’ pricing in cash is extremely competitive at the moment. On many days, economy is priced in line with or cheaper than competitors in the market. And keep in mind that on Emirates you get a full meal in economy, free alcoholic drinks, friendly service, checked bags and carry-ons, etc. You’d be stupid not to fly Emirates.
Emirates is priced marginally higher than competitors in business class, but honestly, you’re getting so much more than on other airlines, so I think it’s a reasonable premium.
First class is very expensive, but then again, that’s what miles are for. 😉
Speaking of miles, Emirates’ flights between Miami and Bogota are wide open with Emirates Skywards miles in all cabins. Right now these planes are empty, and I see two first class award seats, at least seven business class award seats, and nearly unlimited economy award seats, on these flights, on most dates. What should you expect to pay?
- Economy costs 22,500 miles one-way, or 26,000 miles roundtrip
- Business class costs 52,500 miles one-way, or 64,000 miles roundtrip
- First class costs 60,500 miles one-way, or 121,000 miles roundtrip
Emirates Skywards miles are really easy to come by, as the program is transfer partners with all major transferable points currencies, including Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou.
Bottom line
Emirates has a new route between Miami and Bogota, which I’d argue is the most luxurious flight within the Americas in first class. The route operates daily, and regardless of which cabin you’re flying, you’ll get a better experience than when flying with competitors.
While I don’t usually take inaugural flights, it was a treat to be on this special service, especially with the lovely Colombian crew that was working this flight. I’m already excited to take this flight again. How lucky am I to have this fifth freedom route at my home airport?!
Any OMAAT readers plan on taking Emirates’ new flight between Miami and Bogota?
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