Emirates Introduces White Glove Service In First Class (Literally)

You’ve gotta hand it to Emirates for constantly one-upping itself when it comes to the little details of inflight service in first class. I actually covered some of these changes several weeks back, but Emirates has finally gotten around to announcing them, including sharing photos of the updates. Go figure this comes days after Skywards blocked first class awards to non-elite members.

Emirates rolls out more first class service improvements

You’ll often hear the term “white glove service” to refer to service that shows a high level of care. But Emirates has literally introduced white glove service in first class. This is of course totally minor, but as someone who loves to keep track of the little touches of inflight service, I think it’s worth pointing out.

The way it works, first class flight attendants have been given white gloves as part of their service procedure, which are supposed to be put on when serving wine and caviar, placing down silverware, etc. Just to give an example, if you order a glass of wine, the flight attendant will bring you the glass while wearing white gloves, will then return to the galley to take them off, and will then return with the bottle, and a linen over their arm.

The only time I’ve ever had white glove service on an airline was when I flew Etihad’s The Residence on the A380, back when the airline still had butler service for this product.

This is only one of several service changes in Emirates first class in recent weeks. Emirates has also updated its caviar presentation, as it now comes presented in silver Emirates engraved bowls, designed by Robert Welch (don’t worry, caviar is still unlimited!).

The airline has also introduced a new menu presentation in first class (like, the physical menu, not what’s being served… though that’s always updated as well). It’s more like a magazine or pamphlet, and goes into much greater detail on all the service offerings, the wine available, etc. As Emirates describes it, this is a keepsake menu “which tells an explorative story of Emirates’ wine selection and culinary inspirations.”

Emirates has also introduced a new cheeseboard, presented on a rustic slate, with accompanying bowls and a wooden honey dipper, in addition to an array of cheeses and chutneys.

In a long overdue ground experience upgrade, Emirates will in the coming weeks be introducing a new first class check-in area in Terminal 3. This will offer a more personalized check-in service, and a relaxing lounge design.

Emirates has an obsessive attention to detail

Typically when airlines tweak their inflight product, it’s because there’s an opportunity to cut costs, or streamline things. Sure, in premium cabins we sometimes see airlines make improvements, but they’re not exactly common.

Emirates deserve huge credit for how it constantly evolves its first class soft product. Yes, Emirates has the world’s best first class wine (by far), but beyond that, Emirates first class has changes just about every time I fly with the airline.

The changes are all minor individually, but they really add up, and clearly reflect that there’s a whole team of people always thinking about how they could improve the product. We’re talking everything from introducing movie snack menus, to having carafes for wine, so that it gets more oxygen.

It’s funny, because I’d describe Emirates’ first class attention to detail inflight as being obsessive, while the same can’t be said on the ground. For example, the airline doesn’t even offer priority boarding for first class passengers, so boarding is quite chaotic on an A380, when 100+ people potentially try to board at once (factoring in first class, business class, and elite members).

Bottom line

Emirates has introduced white glove service in first class. The way this works, flight attendants now put on white gloves when presenting wine glasses and the like, before taking them off and returning with the bottle. I know this is super minor, but I do love to keep up with inflight service changes, and Emirates’ constant updates, no matter how “extra” they may be.

This is only one of several changes we’re seeing, as the airline has also introduced new silver bowls for the caviar presentation, as well as a new cheeseboard.

What do you make of these Emirates first class service changes?