Pros:
- Business lounge access in Dubai.
- Bulgari amenity kits which were luxurious and useful and had the highly rated body lotion.
- Full seat recline to get a few hours sleep and the exceptional onboard service.
Cons:
- The amount of toilets available (4) is not great, with queues mounting up around the bar and it wasn’t even a full flight.
- Depending on seat selection, noise from the bar would keep you from sleeping in the rows nearby.
- You cannot dine when you want like Etihad unless in First Class.
The Flight Details
The route: Dubai to Melbourne is one leg that I have done a few times in economy with Emirates. This was my first time flying business class with Emirates on the A380, my other experience in business class was on Etihad on their A380. The flight time was around 14 hours 30 minutes and as soon as I sat down in my seat (20K), a crew member asked me what I would like to have as a drink pre-departure, which was a nice touch. I decided to go with an orange juice this time, rather than champagne as I wanted to keep that for when I made time to go to the bar.
What To Expect When Flying Business With Emirates
Chauffeur service
Emirates’ has a complimentary chauffeur service for premium passengers who can receive complimentary car service to and from the airport. This applies not only to Dubai but to a majority of the hubs and locations that Emirates flies to.
The Emirates chauffeur service is only available to first and business class passengers who booked on eligible fares:
- Chauffeur service is not available on Skywards first and business class award tickets or on upgraded seats from economy to business class
- Chauffeur service is not available on award tickets booked via partner airlines, or on any tickets booked via Qantas, even if they are codeshare flights, which meant I was not able to do this.
- Chauffeur service is not available on “basic” business class fares.
You can use this link to see if the chauffeur service is available and what distances are covered from your local airport.
Priority airport service
Since, I was on a layover from a previous Emirates flight (Dublin to Dubai). I was not able to avail of the priority check in desks or priority security clearance at Dubai International Airport as I was already in the terminal but the Dublin check in process was basic and left much to be desired for a business class check in procedure (more to come in another blog).
The Emirates Business Lounge at Dubai Airport Terminal 3
There is so much I could say about the Emirates lounge but I will keep it short and sweet as I just made it across Dubai’s concourse as it is so large. I was only able to enjoy this on my layover for about 1 hour 20 minutes, so I had to explore the airport lounge quickly. Here is my opinion:
- Having the shower rooms at the lounge is a game changer on a layover. I spent about 10 minutes waiting to get in and about 15 minutes inside. The showers were clean and the rooms were very spacious.
- The lounge itself was huge with lots of pockets of seating in and around the buffets and bars. It also has side exits for the gates and boarding lanes direct to the aeroplane.
- Parts of the lounge are more modern and luxurious, however overall the lack of air-conditioning due to the ‘roof’ of the lounge being open made it feel very unappealing after a cold clean shower.
- The food and beverage options are vast!
To be honest, I wish I had more time to explore the lounge and try more food. However, at 2.30am and coming off a previous flight, my concern was to go shower and relax. This also is one of the better airport lounges in the world for sure!
The Boarding Process at Dubai Airport
Pros:
Passengers can board directly from the lounge, which made me feel very relaxed. There was an overall relaxed feeling about boarding from the lounge.
Cons
Although not a full flight, the boarding area gate was full and slow and passengers each stopped by security, some for up to nearly 10 minutes (myself included). This was because I was carrying duty free which needed to be searched. This took at least 10 minutes with no communication of what was happening.
The security staff gave me a receipt and told me to pick it up in Melbourne but a lady behind said that it was standard practice when buying alcohol in the duty free. I just wish they had told me what was happening as this was not the case going through other airports or using other airlines.
Food and Beverage in Business Class Emirates A380
Emirates offers a multitude of options for meal service, including the local inspired dishes.
Food: For this flight’s meal service, I opted for the plate of the traditional Arabic mezze, classic pancakes served with orange compote and mascarpone, which was amazing and a number of other delights including the cheese board and plenty of options for main course.
There are also a number of foods on board available at anytime, these included:
- Tuna poke bowl
- Stir-fried chicken in oyster chilli sauce
- Pan-fried prawn gyoza
- Seasonal fruit
Beverages: Emirates offers a variety of premium spirits, wine, beer, cocktails, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Champagne a bit hit on the flight, they served Moet.
Top Tip: You can log into the managed booking section on the Emirates website and check the published menu for your flight, even order special meals beforehand. You can also check out the food and beverage menus for more details on what is being served on each flight as they can be different depending on your flying destination and travel class.
Amenities in Emirates Business Class
Several items of good value were waiting in the business class cabins. A soft, fluffy pillow was laid on the seat and a mattress pad had been put in the storage bin beside the seat. Emirates has Bulgari amenity kits and they were stuffed with lavish Bulgari body lotions, facial lotions and more.
Emirates Airbus A380 Business Class service
The Emirates business class cabin on-board service is amazing. Cabin crew were very attentive to everyone and myself and noticed they did go beyond to speak to you and make small talk. With not many in business class and one person in first class, it seemed there were extra flight attendants around the cabin and bar area which meant you were only a few metres away from getting anything you needed. I also felt like the service was above and beyond due to one crew member who brought some lovely first class chocolates down and served them to others at the bar.
The Inflight Entertainment System on the Emirates A380
Emirates has so many entertainment options and their system is one of the best that you can get, known commonly as ICE. No matter how long your flight is, Emirates offers hundreds of movies, TV series, Musicals, and games.
The huge screens stick out in the cabin (along with the fully flat bed) and you notice that they are bigger than economy screens, which is needed as you are slightly further from the seat in front of you.
The Inflight Bar and Onboard Lounge for Emirates Business and First Class
Emirates has so many entertainment options and their system is one of the best that you can get, known commonly as ICE. No matter how long your flight is, Emirates offers hundreds of movies, TV series, Musicals, and games.
The huge screens stick out in the cabin (along with the fully flat bed) and you notice that they are bigger than economy screens, which is needed as you are slightly further from the seat in front of you.
The Inflight Bar and Onboard Lounge for Emirates Business and First Class
What is the A380 onboard bar and onboard lounge?
All Emirates A380 business class flights feature a bar and lounge area for Business and First class passengers. Situated at the rear of the upper deck, although it’s nice to have a drink, if you are seated close to the bar it might be a bit noisy at times. The bar itself is shaped like a ‘U’, oriented towards the back of the aircraft, with seating available on both sides.
There are two distinct designs for this lounge space. The older version features curved bench seating on either side, accommodating up to eight passengers, and has a colour scheme of cream and wood. The newer design offers seating for passengers but with more tables accompanying the chairs. Overall, the experience is quite comparable between the two designs.
Who can access the A380 onboard bar and onboard lounge?
All passengers travelling in business class and first class on any Emirates A380 flight can access the lounge and bar area, regardless of whether their ticket was purchased with cash or points.A soon as the seat belt sign is switched off you can go to the bar. Passengers in economy or premium economy, or those with status in the Emirates Skywards loyalty program, do not have access to the onboard bar.
How Much Does Business Class Cost to Book on Emirates?
Depending on where you book the cost can vary slightly. On the Emirates website, it can vary depending on dates but approximately one way fares are around $7,000- $10,000 Australian Dollars.
Would you Recommend Emirates A380 Business Class?
Overall I would say yes! The beauty of business class is when it’s time to rest you can recline and catch some Z’s. That flexibility to sleep whenever you please is just priceless.
Which Business Class seat is Best on the Emirates A380?
- Emirates business class offers unique experiences and of course when booking you will want to secure the best seat. Verdict: Choose one of the window seats labelled A or K for more legroom and views. If travelling with someone, I’d recommend E and F since you can dine with them and get more privacy.
- You don’t want to sit in the rear mini-cabin on the A380. Yes, you read that right, rows 22 – 26 are the rows closest to the on board bar. It’s advisable to stay clear of rows 22 to 26 on A380s potentially subjecting you to noise disturbances. It’s a good idea to review the seat map before finalising your seat selection.
Emirates Business Class Ticket With Points or Using Mileage Redemption
I managed to snag this incredible deal by cashing in 127,000 Qantas points and $1,500 Australian dollars on the route Dublin to Dubai, Dubai to Melbourne and Melbourne to Sydney in 2024, all thanks to the collecting advice and tips of Fly like Ry on instagram.
I would also suggest you look at the Emirates website as not all routes haveA380’s. Especially if you want to fly on the A380 business class Emirates product.
How to book Emirates Business Class with Points or Miles
For Emirates tickets book click here and you can book through Skywards points on the Emirates website. If you have Qantas points you will need to have a Qantas frequent flyer account to book Emirates business class with points through the Qantas website. There are many other blogs and articles out there like the points guy and The Australian Frequent Flyer and others who guide people through the process. Or you can listen to my podcast with Ryan from at or wherever you stream your podcasts.
Is It Worth Flying Emirates Business Class?
The Emirates business class experience provides a premium and comfortable travel experience and I would recommend it to anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Qantas Frequent Flyer Membership Free?
The membership fee is $99.50 per person for Australian residents. Most overseas residents can also get it free, with New Zealand residents being charged NZ$60. Qantas runs promotions for free memberships with their frequent flyer program partners.
Is it Worth Becoming a Qantas Frequent Flyer Member?
Qantas rewards can help loyal flyers to their destination with Qantas or their airline partners. Some of the perks of membership are discounted flights and lounge access around the world.
What does 100,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer Points Get Me?
For example, 100,000 Qantas points could get me from Sydney to LAX return, with just paying for the taxes. However, please book in advance as it does depend on award availability.
How Do I Earn Frequent Flyer Qantas Points?
You can earn Qantas frequent flyer points from flying with Qantas or partners, hotel stays, shopping, vehicle rental, travel and much more.
