Review of Emirates flight Brussels → Dubai in First

Talk about high anticipation! This trip originally was planned to take KLM’s 787-10 back from Europe. While it was scheduled when I secured the reservation, a few months later the schedule was changed to an A330. Now the search was on. And the crazy idea to return to the US from Europe going east was born! It’s now my favorite route to fly.

Emirates doesn’t open first class award space on their new cabin in advance. (There are some reports that say if it’s not sold out then seats are opened a day or two before.) While searching for options I ran across and retail fare from Amsterdam to Shanghai that was reasonable, about $3,500. But it was on the A380. Knowing that Emirates flew the new B777 out of Brussels I tried that, $3,400. This was a combination of B777/A380. Then I found out they flew the new jet to Haneda. That fare was now down to $3,100! Which is still a lot of money, but for 15 or so hours of Emirates first class in the new suite it was too much to resist. I used AMEX pay with points and it was booked and credited the points to Alaska.

What made this easy is Brussels is only a couple hour train ride from Amsterdam. With a 3PM BRU departure there was plenty of time to sleep in, have a nice breakfast and take the train down to Brussels. 

Once I arrived at Brussels midi train station the Emirates limo picked me up and drove me to the airport. 

Forget the lounge, to the gate. 

As you can see there would not be any special first class boarding. 

Boarding commenced through door 2. A look at business class. 

From door one first class entrance. 

I had reserved Seat 2A for the first flight. To Haneda I would be in the center virtual suite.   

The suite is truly breathtaking. 

The large leather seat can be sat in comfortably for the longest flight you could imagine. 

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Electronic shades, controlled from the master seat panel. 

Dual mini-bars on each side of the monitor. Soft drinks, water and snacks.

This is a closet for your carry on. 

Lighting and air vents above the seat. 

And a storage place for your bedding. (No offer of turn down services was made on this trip.)

A large closet with useful mirrors. Clothes don’t get stuffed into these closets. 

The inside door panel acts as a easy to access place for reading materials, items you may want to store and the headphones. 

A curious amount of open space next to the chair. 

Armrest controller for ICE entertainment system. 

Or the much improved tablet that is not only much lighter than the old A380 tablets, it’s also significantly faster as well.

Quick press buttons for window shades, calling for attendant, etc. A little bling still exists.   

The power outlets next to the tray table. 

Touch screen panel for lighting, color, heat and flight info. 

The spectrum of suite mood lighting. 

Binoculars are given to window seat occupants. Too bad the sun set shortly after departure. 

Other Emirates amenities including their pajamas. Their pj bottoms are really nice. I’ve worn them to the airport a couple times. 

And Bowers & Wilkins headphones

Perfect, airshow and a movie. 

The monitor is huge, great clarity even given a dismal day. Plus onboard camera on a 777!

Too fast! I’m enjoying this flight.

The lavs are good size, especially for a Boeing aircraft.

This evenings menu to Dubai. 

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Hannah was my flight attendant. It was her first time on this aircraft and she was as excited as me. In the end however there were a few mistakes that are not expected given the reputation of Emirates FAs. Pouring Dom was not one of those.

Dining menu

Mistake #1 was not serving the Canapé. For me this was the second time out of 3 first class Emirates flights this part of the meal was skipped. It’s not that I was dying to have it, but why put it on the menu if you aren’t going to serve it?

Awesome presentation on the predictable appetizer. I wish all airlines would serve more than 3 billinis. Is that a worldwide standard? 

Hannah insisted I try the Dom Rosé. I didn’t care for it. 

Possibly because I had my eye on this.

I had the cauliflower soup. It had no taste. 

The menu wasn’t very inspiring, and I wasn’t going to order beef so chicken it was. 

Negative. Chicken overcooked, vegetables wilted and potatoes as dry could be. I know, you say it doesn’t look bad. Trust me, it was. 

The cheese plate was next. Okay, 2 winners. Caviar and cheese. 

Then the biggest failure of all, inedible. 

After a less than satisfying meal the cabin turned to starlight. 

It does not get any more private than this.